Page 49 - Shelter, October 2024

POLICY REVIEW

Box 1

Construction Workers Training at NAC Centres
The National Academy of Construction (NAC) was established by the Government of Andhra
Pradesh to organise the state-of-the-art high-end training for eligible youth in construction
engineering supporting trades, like masonry, bar bending, plumbing, carpentry, painting and
decoration, sanitation plumbing, civil work supervision and operating earth movers. Municipal
Commissioners identify the youth from the poorest settlements with preference given to the
school drop outs and unemployed youth. This led to the kick-start of the skill development
programmes across the State by the NAC through its centres.

After a process of screening and short-listing, the selected candidates are given training for 3
months in the classroom and in the field. The trainees were also given a lump sum amount as
incidental charges in order to prevent them from dropping out. At the end of the training, an
appropriate skill certificate was issued by the NAC, which would enable the trained youth to
seek employment with firms operating in construction and housing sector. A toolkit would-be
given to each trainee. After the basic training and skill certification, the candidates are given
apprenticeship for the duration of 12 months in the industry firms, with the option of permanent
absorption later.

such initiative catering to and growing over time and, educated workforce near to
construction and housing therefore, it requires a large construction sites.
industry through skill amount of workforce for References
development programmes. its operations. Much of the
Box 1 shows the initiative workforce in construction 1. BT (2023), Inclusive
made by it. and housing sector as well as India: Empowering the
other sectors have poor levels Demographic dividend,
5. Conclusions of skills – both education Business Today, August
India is on the cusp of reaping and functional. Therefore, 23, 2023 (http://www.
the benefits of demographic skill development of this buinesstoday.in/india-
dividend for next few decades, workforce is going to play a at-100/story/inclusive-
which requires the availability major transformative role to india-at-10-empowering-
of jobs and matching skillsets the individuals, communities t h e - d e m o g r a p h i c -
and the economy of the
of working age population. country. It is to be noted that, dividend-395359-
Indian economy is poised while a large proportion 2023-08-24)
for greater growth but is not of the workforce falls in 2. CSCDI (2022), Skilling
matched by the necessary the lower portion of the India: Construction
input resources like skilled pyramid, there would be Sector Demand and
labour force. Construction skill building required at a Supply, Construction
and housing sector is an workplace and construction- Skills Development
important economic activity site level. It is also required Council of India (CSDCI),
that contributes to almost to examine models in which New Delhi.
one-fifth of the economy. such skills can be delivered
This sector is important to the skilled and minimally 3. GoI (2009), National Skill
Development Policy,

October, 2024, Volume 25. No.1 - SHELTER 47