ROAD SECTOR - SKILLS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 221

Paper No. 565

ROAD SECTOR - SKILLS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
MUKESH C.GUPTA*

ABSTRACT
For the 12th Plan (2012-2017) , preliminary exercises suggest that investment in infrastructure will have to expand to US$ 1,000 billion
(Rs. 45,00,000 crore). As a modest estimate, about 40 per cent of these investments would directly contribute to construction activities.
This implies estimated expenditure of Rs 360,000 crore in construction sector per year. This does not include real estate and other
construction activities. A successful infrastructure development strategy depends critically on implementation of durable and quality assets.

Construction Sector offers huge potential for employment creation for skilled and unskilled workers. Over the last decades there has been
significant drop in the percentage proportion of qualified engineers and skilled work force employed in the construction sector. The
Working Group on construction sector set up by the Planning Commission for the Eleventh Five Year Plan has estimated the growth in
demand for employment at a rate of 8 to 9 per cent per annum implying addition to existing stock by around 2.5 million persons per year.
Currently, the number of workers in the construction sector would be 42 million. Per worker output in this sector is the lowest among all
non-agriculture sectors with a discernible declining trend. Only 2.3 per cent received formal training. The proportion of engineers,
technicians and skilled workers is declining and is not commensurate with the level of investments. The proportion of the unskilled
workforce is increasing. This is a disturbing trend and would lead to poor quality of construction and inferior quality of infrastructure assets.

This Paper highlights the issues and challenges in the skills development for the unorganised workers in the construction activities with
particular reference to the road sector. It recommends a strategy that aligns itself with the "Skills Development Initiative" (SDI) of the
Government of India. This proposed strategy would evolve a new strategic framework for skill development for early school leavers and
existing workers, especially in the un-organised sector in close consultation with industry and sectoral infrastructure organizations,
international agencies (ILO, World Bank & ADB) and the Indian Roads Congress with the support of Director General (Employment and
Training), Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India and the Planning Commission.

1 INTRODUCTION over 10-15 years, have focussed and accelerated the

1.1 In India, faster economic growth has put
pressure on infrastructure, such as, roads, ports, railways,
airports, dams, canals, power, irrigation, housing, urban
utility, watershed development works, building special
economic zones, etc. All these infrastructure facilities
involve construction activities. The Construction Sector
is a key link between the major upstream activities of
core sector industry such as cement, bitumen, steel,
quarries (road and building aggregates), industrial
products, services (engineering, technology transfer) and
downstream activities, such as, creation of social
infrastructure, agriculture, defence, transportation and
other activities. Cognizant of this, the governments at the
central and state levels have, particularly during the past
development of physical infrastructure. The Eleventh Plan
targets an investment of Rs 20 lakh crore in infrastructure
over the five year period (2007-2012). This is more than
double the investment realized during the 10th Plan period
(Box 1).
1.2 For the 12th Plan (2012-2017) , preliminary
exercises suggest an investment level of Rs 45 lakh crore
in the infrastructure. As a modest estimate, about 40
per cent of these investments would directly contribute
to construction activities. This implies estimated
expenditure of Rs 360,000 crore in construction sector
per year. This includes a significant component of roads.
A successful infrastructure development strategy depends
critically on creation of durable and quality assets.

* Senior Specialist - Employment Intensive Investments, International Labour Organisation

Journal of the Indian Roads Congress, October-December 2010

 222 GUPTA ON

Box-1 Investments in the Infrastructure Development

Sectors Tenth Plan (2002-07) Eleventh Plan (2007-12)

(Projected Investment)
Rs Crore Share (%) Rs Crore Share (%)
Roads 144 892 16.63 314 152 15.25
Railways (including MRTS) 119 658 13.73 261 808 12.71
Ports 14 071 1.61 87 995 4.27
Airports 6 771 0.78 30 968 1.50
Irrigation including Watershed 111 503 12.80 257 344 12.49
Water Supply and Sanitation 64 803 7.44 143 730 6.98
Electricity and Power 291 850 33.49 666 525 32.35
Telecommunication 103 365 11.86 258 439 12.54
Storage 4 819 0.55 22 378 1.09
Gas 9 713 1.11 16 855 0.82
Total 871 445 100 2 060 193 100
Source: Eleventh Plan Document - Planning Commission

1.3 Table 1 gives a broad break up of the workforce
in construction activities as per the assessment done by
the Working Group for Construction Sector for the
Eleventh Five Year Plan set up by the Planning
Commission. It would be seen that over the last decade,
there is significant drop in the percentage proportion of
qualified engineers and skilled workers employed in the
construction sector. The structure of employment in the
construction sector is bottom heavy with over 80 per cent
workers being unskilled. This is a disturbing trend as it
could lead to poor quality of infrastructure creation. The
Working Group estimated the growth in demand for
employment at a rate of 8 to 9 per cent per annum implying
addition to existing stock by around 2.5 million persons
per year. Currently, the number of construction workers
is estimated to be 42 million.

Table 1 Workers in the Construction Sector

S.No Category 1995 2005 Growth in 10 Years
Number Share (%) Number Share (%) (Per cent)
1 Engineers 687 000 4.70 822 000 2.65 19.66
2 Technicians 359 000 2.46 573 000 1.85 59.61
and Foremen
3 Secretarial 646 000 4.42 738 000 2.38 14.24
4 Skilled Workers 2 241 000 15.34 3 267 000 10.54 45.78
5 Unskilled Workers 10 670 000 73.08 25 600 000 82.58 139.92
Total 14 603 000 100 31 000 000 100 112.28
Source: Report of the Working Group on Construction for Eleventh Plan: Planning Commission

Journal of the Indian Roads Congress, October-December 2010

 ROAD SECTOR - SKILLS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
1.4 The major issue facing the construction sector is
that about 80 per cent of workers are casual. Since most
of the employment is in the informal sector, it calls for
special attention to aspects such as occupational health,
safety of workers, social protection, timely payment of
wages and non-discrimination due to gender as per the
various labour laws. Per worker output in this sector is
the lowest among all non-agriculture sectors with a
discernible declining trend. Only 2.3 per cent received
formal training. Manual unskilled labour in large numbers
has entered the construction sector. This indirectly implies
need for upgrading of skills to improve productivity and
quality in construction.
1.5 It is one of the sectors providing high employment
opportunities to women though physical safety of women
workers is often at stake. There is high concentration of
migrant workers, particularly seasonal migrant workers.
It is extremely important to study the dynamics of migrant
workers and address their needs.
2 THE SKILL CHALLENGE IN THE ROAD
SECTOR
2.1 India's Eleventh five year Plan (2007-12)
indicates that "generation of productive and gainful
employment, with decent working conditions on a
sufficient scale to absorb our growing labour force, must
form a critical element in the strategy for achieving
inclusive growth". The ability to sustain labour-intensive
growth depends on the expansion of the labour force's
capabilities with skills and knowledge as driving forces
of economic growth and social development. According
to the 2007-08 Economic Survey, 64.8 per cent of India's
population would be in the working age of 15-64 years in
Table 2 Estimated Project Investments in Road Sector (Rs billion)
Year 2007-08 08-09 09-10 10-11
Scenario 1 267.0 277.0 284.2 292.6
Scenario 2 355.5 376.3 385.9 410.3
Scenario 3 586.5 740.0 853.1 861.6
(Source: World Bank Report - Indian Road Construction Industry, Oct.2007)
Journal of the Indian Roads Congress, October-December 2010
223
2026, up from 62.9 per cent in 2006. Other projections
also indicate emergence of a young India with 800 million
in the productive age group by 2015.
2.2 The trend of an ageing, shrinking population is
visible across much of the developed world. It is now
for developing countries, like India to benefit from the
much awaited demographic dividend. In 2020, the average
Indian will be only 29 years old compared to average of
37 years for China and USA, 47 years for Western Europe
and 48 years for Japan. If we wish to realize this one
time opportunity, then investing in youth and preparing
them to meet the future challenges is the only option.
Otherwise, this demographic dividend could turn into a
"demographic nightmare" if these youth continue to
indulge in destructive Maoist activities.
2.3 Within the construction sector, roads need a
special emphasis as most ITIs and Polytechnics have
bypassed the needs of the roads sub-sector. In this context,
it may be mentioned that the World Bank undertook a
road construction industry study recently. Table 2 provides
an analysis of projected investments in three scenarios.
Scenario 1 is business as usual. Scenario 2 relates to
medium growth rate, in accordance with the vision
documents of the states and the country and Scenario 3
relates to high growth rate, incorporating massive
investments in national highways and rural roads as
proposed by GOI.
2.4 As per that Study, based on the past trend, a
rough estimate has been made of the distribution of
increased demand scenarios for the different contract
sizes for all types of road contracts in the country up to
2014-15 . The contract sizes assumed for this analysis
are Large (>Rs 125 crore, i.e. $28 million), Medium
11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 Total
301.3 310.3 319.5 329.0 2 384
446.4 484.3 523.0 564.1 3 546
874.4 488.7 493.5 498.6 5 396
(Rs. 1 billion i.e Rs 100 crore)
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(Rs 40-125 crore), Small (Rs 5-40 crore) and Very Small
(<Rs 5 crore i.e.$1 million). The number of actual Indian
contractors capable of doing the medium to large road
contracts may not exceed 45-50. By associating among
themselves and with foreign contractors present in India
(who number about 10-12) as well as with smaller
contractors, the present pool of contractors has tried to
meet the demand of the past five years. Results have
been mixed. According to the Study (Table 3), there is a
need to at least double, if not triple, the pool of contractors
at different levels to be able to meet the demand foreseen
under Scenarios 2 and 3.

Table 3 Projected Average Yearly Number of Contracts (different sizes)

Contract sizes Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3
Large 90 180 400
Medium 100 250 550
Small 2 800 5 100 6 600
Very small 4 100 7 100 8 800
Total approx 7 100 approx 12 600 approx 16 400
(Source: World Bank Report - Indian Road Construction Industry, Oct.2007)

2.5 The World Bank Report has projected total 2.6 The analysis on the investment climate and
human resources requirement on an approximate basis, business environment in the road sector ranked the various
empirically correlated with the investments/turnover. The parameters as presented in Table 5. It will be seen that
average estimated requirement over the next eight years availability of skilled staff and operational issues, like,
is given in Table 4. This includes staffing gaps in the road land, licenses and clearance, governance have the highest
agencies at central and state levels, contractors and ranking.
consultants. The skill types considered include full-fledged Table 5 Ranking of Investment Climate
engineers to technical and mechanical staff. Presently Issues in the Road Sector
about 6,000 fresh engineers and diploma holders join the
Parameters Ranking
road sector workforce each year, offsetting a similar
number of retirements. But this does not cover the needed Availability of skilled staff 1
annual increment of 7,500-10,000 of such persons to meet Operational issues: land, licenses and 1
the demands of Scenario 1 over the next eight years. clearances, governance
The current pool of skilled and semi-skilled persons is Taxation issues 2
estimated to be about 110,000 in the road construction Materials cost and availability 2
sector. Scenarios 2 and 3 would require two to three times Contract enforcement and dispute resolution 2
these numbers. It is imperative to undertake the measures
Barrriers to entry 3
needed to meet the challenge of filling in this gap of skilled
workers in this sector. Subsidies and fiscal concessions 3
Finance cost and availability 4
Table 4 Yearly Skilled Human Resource
Sector policy and institutional structure 5
Requirement
Import procedures 6
Skilled HR Reqd Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3 Infrastructure issues 6
Average (approx) 150 000 200 000 280 000 Industry structure 7
(Source: World Bank Report - Indian Road Construction (Source: World Bank Report - Indian Road Construction
Industry, Oct.2007) Industry, Oct.2007)

Journal of the Indian Roads Congress, October-December 2010

 ROAD SECTOR - SKILLS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
3 CURRENT INITIATIVES - SKILLS
DEVELOPMENT
India's growing population and her demographic dividend
needs to be capitalized by building and constantly
upgrading the skill levels of the working population. The
thrust is, therefore to be on creating a pool of
adequately-skilled personnel in appropriate numbers, in
line with requirements of ultimate users and enhanced
quality training of the labour force from the current 31
lakh to more than 1 crore per year with a multi-pronged
strategy. To meet this objective, the Government of India
has launched a number of key initiatives to meet this
challenge. For example:
a) Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) are being
upgraded through PPP mode;
b) A large well-resourced Programme on Skills
Development Initiative has been launched to
provide vocational training to 1 million persons in
the next 5 years and thereafter 1 million persons
every year in modular employable skills;
c) 1500 new ITIs and 50,000 Skill Development
Centres are being established.
The Skill Development Initiative (SDI) supports
employment generation, economic growth and social
development processes. Skill development policy and
programmes will be an integral part of the comprehensive
economic, labour and social policies and programmes.
Only about 25 lakh vocational training seats are available
in the country, whereas, about 1.28 crore persons enter
the labour market every year. Even out of these training
places, very few are available for early school dropouts.
Thus, a large number of school drop-outs do not have
access to skill development for improving their
employability. The educational entry requirements and
long duration of courses of the formal training system
are some of the impediments for a person of
low educational attainment to acquire skills for his
livelihood.
Journal of the Indian Roads Congress, October-December 2010
225
4 PROPOSED STRATEGY FOR SKILLS
DEVELOPMENT IN THE ROAD
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR
4.1 Launching - Crash Programme on
Modular Employable Skills
4.1.1 The training methods under Modular Employable
Skills (MES) focus on development of appropriate
competencies. The focus of the programme will be on
"performing" in addition to knowledge acquisitiion".
Emphasis will be given to provide "hands on" training.
The training methods will be individual centered to make
each person a competent one. Opportunities for individual
work will be provided. The learning process will be
continuously monitored and feedback will be provided on
individual basis. Demonstrations using different models,
audio visual aids and equipment will be used intensively.
4.1.2 The concept for the MES is:
a) Identification of minimum skills set which is
considered sufficient to get employment in the
labour market.
b) Skills up-gradation, multi-skilling, multi entry and
exit, vertical mobility and life long learning
opportunities.
c) Recognition of prior learning (certification of skills
acquired informally).
d) The modules in a sector, for example roads, when
grouped together could lead to a qualification
equivalent to National Trade Certificate or higher.
e) Courses could be available for different levels in
different vocations depending upon the need of
the employer organizations.
4.1.3 For the construction workers in the road sector,
there is huge demand for trades, like, surveyor, excavator
operator, motorized grader operator, stone crusher
operator, laboratory technician, earth moving equipment
operator, road roller operators, etc. Other trades like
hot-mix plant operator, concrete mixer operator, mate,
and spray man, store keepers, materials specialists also
needs to be covered to meet the demand. Very few
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opportunities for skill development are currently available
for these trades. Most of the existing Skill Development
programmes are long term in nature. Poor and less
educated persons can not afford long term training
programmes due to higher entry qualifications, opportunity
cost, etc. MES is therefore designed to benefit different
target groups, like:
a) Workers seeking certification of their skills
acquired informally;
b) Workers seeking skill upgradation / skill
enhancement;
c) Early school drop-outs and unemployed youth.
4.1.4 It is proposed that the framework for Skill
Development in the road sector be evolved that should
include the following key features:
a) Demand driven Short term training courses based
on modular employable skills to be decided in
consultation with the construction Industry, viz
Contractors and Consultants.
b) Testing and certification of prior learning (skills
of persons acquired informally).
c) Flexible delivery mechanism (part time, weekends
& full time).
d) Different levels of programmes (Foundation level
as well as skill upgradation) to meet demands of
various target groups.
e) Optimum utilization and enhancement of existing
training infrastructure to make training cost
effective and purposeful.
f) Testing of skills of trainees by independent
assessing bodies who would not be involved in
conduct of the training programms.
4.2 Ongoing Initiatives
For skill development of construction workers, some large
corporate houses are providing training to unskilled
workers in trades, like, plumbing, masonry, electrical and
sanitary works. There are several skill providers, such
as, Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC),
National Academy of Construction (NAC), Hyderabad,
Journal of the Indian Roads Congress, October-December 2010
HUDCO, IGNOU, private sector companies, such as,
Larsen &Toubro, Hindustan Construction Company and
ITIs. However, there is need to consolidate and upscale
these efforts in a coherent and integrated and coordinated
manner to meet the gaps particularly in the road sector,
given that annual investments in the highways sector are
reaching Rs 50,000 - 60,000 crore. Currently there are
hardly any orgnaised training providers to train the
sophisticated construction equipment operators or quality
assurance technicians. People have evolved their own
skills learning methodologies through hit and trial or
apprenticeship rather than through the accredited training
providers in this sub-sector. NAC, Hyderabad is an
excellent example and it needs to be replicated in several
regions of the country with due focus on road sector
demands.
Only a very small fraction of the highway investments is
needed for launching the need based MES in the road
construction sector. And it will contribute in producing
quality and durable assets and create large scale
employment in this sector.
4.3 Aligning with the Skills Development
Initiative (SDI)
The strategy proposed aligns itself with the "Skills
Development Initiative"(SDI) of the Government of India.
It is obvious that the skill level and educational attainment
of the workforce determines the productivity as well as
the ability to adapt to the changing environment. A majority
of the workforce in the construction sector does not
possess adequate employable skills. Currently, this is an
impediment in getting higher productivity, decent
employment and improving their socio-economic
condition. Only 5 per cent of the Indian labour force in
the age group of 20-24 years has obtained vocational
skills through formal means, whereas, the percentage in
industrialized countries varies between 60 per cent and
96 per cent.
4.4 Partnership Approach - Skills Development
Partners
To meet the huge demand for specific skills of a high
order in the road construction sector, a Public Private
Partnership between Government and Industry is
 ROAD SECTOR - SKILLS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
proposed to promote skills development programme under
the umbrella of the SDI. This proposed strategy would
evolve a new strategic framework for skill development
for early school leavers and existing workers, especially
in the un-organised sector in close consultation with
industry (FICCI, AASHOCHAM, CII, PHD Chamber
of Commerce, CIDC, Contractors & Consultants), trade
unions, un-organised sector, state governments and
sectoral infrastructure departments ( Ministry of Labour
& Employment, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways,
NHAI, NRRDA, Academic Institutions) international
agencies (ILO, World Bank, ADB) and the Indian Roads
Congress with the support of Director General
(Employment and Training), Ministry of Labour and
Employment, Government of India and the Planning
Commission.
4.5 Strategic Focus
The proposed strategy should focus on:
a) Hands on training side by side of knowledge
acquisition and knowledge enhancement;
b) Providing certified modular employable skills to
school leavers, existing workers to improve their
employability in the infrastructure sector by
optimally utilizing the existing training
infrastructure available in the government, private
institutions and the industry. Existing skills of the
persons can also be tested and certified under
this scheme.
c) Develop capacity in the area of standardized
competency standards, course curricula, learning
material and assessment standards in the country
in close cooperation with the industry.
4.6 Development Process for the Course
Curriculum
a) Identification of Employable Skill trades in road
sector based on division of work in the labour
market in consultation with Industry.
b) Development of training modules corresponding
to skills set identified
Journal of the Indian Roads Congress, October-December 2010
227
c) Organising Modules into Course Matrix indicating
vertical and horizontal mobility
d) Development of detailed course curriculum for
various trades
e) Vetting by DG(E &T) MOLE with support from
Indian Roads Congress, training providers and
trade experts
f) Inviting comments from Employers/ Employees
Organisations, Central / State Govts. etc.
g) Approval by the National Council for Vocational
Training (NCVT)
4.7 Eligibility Criteria for Candidates
The following minimum eligibility criteria is proposed:
a) Supervisory Cadre - 10th Class
b) Artisan - 5th Class
c) Age - Minimum 18 years
4.8 Toolkits for successful conduct of the course
This should be developed as per the course curricula
and syllabus for each trade. This should include theory
and practical aspects of each trade including explanation
of safety aspects on how to use them. Their effective
handling methods to gain maximum outputs should be
demonstrated and trainees should be able to handle all
the required tools for a first hand experience.
4.9 Flexibility to redesign curriculum to meet
special needs of the target segment
4.9.1 The training courses should be flexible and
scalable with the option of incorporating local influences
and nuances to cater to a wider audience. The
requirements of particular states may be taken into
consideration and the course delivery should be modified
as per the assessed requirements. Thorough training for
competent, skilled equipment operators and heavy-duty
repair mechanics would require a combination of
classroom and hands-on field instruction at the training
centers and on-the-job work experience as an apprentice
with a pre-identified contractor.
 228 GUPTA ON
4.9.2 New apprentices should be given an orientation
to the industry, safety procedures on equipment and at
the jobsite, first aid, construction fundamentals and
grade-checking.
4.9.3 The training period for apprentices will be
governed by level of expertise and skills to be attained.
The training courses will be designed for attaining
various levels of skills. After the requirement is met,
apprentices are dispatched for on-the-job training with
contractors. Exact duration of the courses will be
determined based on consultation with the road
construction industry.
4.10 Tentative List of Trades
One of the key focus areas for road project execution
leading to capacity enhancement calls for skills
development, training, testing and certification of
construction workers in different categories. The
following trades are considered relevant for the
road sector:
- Topographical Surveyors
- Drillers
- Blasters
- Dumper Operators
- Stone Crusher Operators
- Machine Operators
- Batching Plant Operators
- Road Roller Operators
- Crane Operators
- Crawler Dozer Operators
- Wheeled Loader Operators
- Motorized Grader Operators
- Hydraulic Excavator Operators
- Tar Boiler Operators
- Laboratory Technicians (Concrete)
- Laboratory Technicians (Soils - Earthworks and
Base Course Materials)
Journal of the Indian Roads Congress, October-December 2010
- Laboratory Technicians (Asphalt Works)
- Tower Crane Erection and Operations
(Concreting Operations)
- Hot Mix Plant Operators
- Spray Man
- Pavement Markings Technicians
- Bar Bender
- Pre-stressing
- Pre-cast Concrete Elements
- Pile Foundation / Driving Technicians;
- Scaffolding Technicians;
- Launching Girder Specialists
- Shuttering Specialists
- Store Keepers
- Material Specialists
- Work Supervisors
- Carpenters
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Masons
4.11 Brief Description of Trades
Table 6 provides a brief description, employability
potential, entry level and estimated duration of training.
These can be refined and finalized in consultation with
the Contractors, IRC and the training providers, like,
CIDC, NAC, Hyderabad.
4.12 Typical Course Content
Annex 1 provides a typical example of terminal
competency, course content and list of tools for Bar
Bender ( as picked up from "Course Curricula for
Short-Term Courses based on Modular Employable Skills
(MES) in Construction Sector, Directorate General for
Employment and Training, Ministry of Labour and
Employment).
 ROAD SECTOR - SKILLS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 229

Table 6 Brief Description of Trades

S.No Trade Description Employability Entry Level Estimated
Duration
hrs
1 Topographical Surveyor To be able to use total survey Entire construction Class 10 300
stations, theodolite and do setting industry
out of infrastructure works
2 Drillers Drilling in rocks - highways, Entire construction Class 5 200
railways hydro-electric in hilly areas industry
3 Blasters Rock Blasting highways, railways, Entire construction Class 5 200
hydro-electric in hilly areas industry
4 Stone Crusher Operators How to operate and organize a Entire construction Class 5 300
stone crusher. Different sizes of industry
stones, types, quality, etc
5 -11 Heavy Equipment Effective operation of heavy earth Entire construction Class 5 300
Operators moving equipment, how to do industry, highways,
- Bulldozer grading, earthwork cutting to railways, ports,
- Motor Grader certain grade and cross-slope. power houses
- Wheel Loader Including fine operational details of
- JCB each type of equipment
- Hydraulic Excavator
- Road Roller
- Asphalt Paver
- Dumper
12 Concrete Batching Plant All issues for effective production Entire construction Class 10 300
Operator of concrete, proportion of mix of industry
stone, sand, cement and water and
quality control checks
13 Asphalt Batching Plant All issues for effective production Highways / Airports Class 10 300
Operator of bituminous mixes, proportion of
mix of stone, sand, asphalt and
water and quality control checks
14 Crane Operators Effective operation of Crane Entire construction Class 5 300
including capacity constraints and industry
occupational safety etc
15 Pavement Marking How to use various types of Highways, runways, Class 5 200
pavement marking machines, types taxi ways
of materials used and quality control
16 Tar Boiler Operator Effective use of tar / asphalt boiler Highways / Rural Class 5 200
to the prescribed temperature Roads / Airports
17 Bitumen Sprayers Effective use of sprayer to achieve Highways / Rural 200
prescribed spread rates of bitumen Roads / Airports
18 Lab. Technician - Ability to carryout basis tests such Highways / Rural Class 10 300
Earthworks / Base Course as Atterberg Limits, Sieve Analysis, Roads / Airports
optimum dry density using sand
replacement, etc
(Table 6 Contd...)
Journal of the Indian Roads Congress, October-December 2010
 230 GUPTA ON
(Table 6 Contd...)
S.No Trade Description Employability Entry Level Estimated
Duration
(hours)
19 Lab. Technician - Ability to test aggregates, sieve Highways / Rural Class 10 300
Asphalt Works analysis, flakiness index, L.A Roads / Airports
Abrasion test, asphalt density test,
bitumen content tests
20 Pre-stressing Elementary pre-stressing for Highways / Rural Class 10 300
bridges, amount of tension / Roads / Airports
pressures
21 Pre-Cast items of Fabrication of pre-cast items of Highways / Rural Class 5 300
Concrete concrete for housing, electricity Roads / Airports
poles, roadside kerb, hume pipes, etc
22 Occupational Safety at Basic knowledge of how to Entire Construction Class 8 200
Work Sites introduce safety at work sites Industry (ESC)
23 Shuttering Carpenter ESC Class 5 200
24 Scaffolding Tech. ESC Class 5 200
25 Store Keeper ESC Class 10 200
26 Work Supervisor ESC Class 10 300
27 Launching Girder ESC Class 10 300
Technician
28 Shuttering Tech. ESC Class 8 300

29 Pile foundation Tech. ESC Class 10 300

5 WAY FORWARD c) Mapping of existing capacity of training providers

The Director General (E & T), Ministry of Labour and
Employment in consultation with the Ministry of Road
Transport & Highways and Ministry of Rural
Development should consider establishing a Task Force
comprising of representatives from the sectoral
departments, industry and workers representatives to
oversee the formulation and implementation of the
strategy in a coherent and time bound manner. The IRC
may consider providing the needed technical support to
the Task Force. The Task Force should primarily focus
on the following:
a) Identify and finalize list of trades in the road
sector.
b) Identifying gaps in various trades in the road
sector in the next five years.
(Industry Contractors, Private Institutions, ITIs,
CIDC, National Academy of Construction, State
Level Institution, etc) and their potential.
d) Scope for expansion of capacity of existing
training providers.
e) How to attract new training providers in this
sector?
f) Consider the possibility of using PPP Model.
Some of the ITIs developed under PPP should
be specifically dedicated to development of road
sector skills.
g) How to make it obligatory through necessary
contract provisions and incentives to the
Contractors to enable trainees to have hands-on
training at the various ongoing construction work
sites?

Journal of the Indian Roads Congress, October-December 2010

 ROAD SECTOR - SKILLS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
h) Development of curriculum and accreditation
process for various courses in consultation with
the industry
i) Based on above, finalise a national level Work
Plan with clear quantifiable and verifiable
indicators for skills development for the next five
years including budgetary requirements.
j) Monitoring & Evaluation of the implementation
of the Work Plan.
6 POINTS FOR DISCUSSION
The following points require deliberations among the
highway professionals so as to evolve a national level
Work Plan for enhancement of skills for workers in the
road sector:
a) Assessment of skills development needs for
workers in the road sector.
b) Listing of existing training providers for road
related skills for workers with the help of IRC.
c) Replicating the example of the Government of
Andhra Pradesh with support of the Contractors
Journal of the Indian Roads Congress, October-December 2010
231
in setting up National Academy of Construction,
Hyderabad in at least 6-7 locations in different
regions of the country and their linkage /
networking with it is and Polytechnics in the
States.
d) Development of Course Curriculum for the
needed trades.
e) Provision in the Contract Agreement to
incentivise skill enhancement of workers and
binding the contractors to enable apprenticeship
on-job-training for a short duration.
f) Development of plan for accreditation of
Competency Certificates issued to workers by
the training providers.
g) Development of Work Plan for delivery of training
to road construction workers in the next five
years.
h) Support to be provided to the Task Force to be
established by the DG(E&T), Ministry of Labour
& Employment.
 232 GUPTA ON

ANNEX -1
Typical - Format of Terminal Competency, Course Content & List of Tools for
Modular Employable Skill for Each Trade

BARBENDER d) Should be able to measure, mark, cut and tie to

make prefabricate precast element (slabs).
Name : Barbender
e) Should be able to measure, mark, cut and tie to
Sector : Construction make cage for beams with shear bars.
Code : CON 207 f) Should be able to measure, mark, cut and tie to
Entry : Vth Standard and MES course erect column with base.
Qualification on Assistant Barbender and g) Should be able to measure, mark, cut and tie to
Steel fixer erect column with corbels and cranks.
Age : 18 Years & above h) Should be able to measure, mark, cut and tie to
make cage for beam with alteration in beam
Duration : 300 hrs
section.
Terminal Competency
i) Should be well versed with functions and
a) Should be able to identify, select and practically operations of bar cutting machine, manual bar
use the bar bending and fixing tools bending machine and binding machine.
b) Should be well versed with the safety procedures j) Should be able to measure, mark, cut and tie to
with selection and use of safety tools and make cage for staircase.
equipments. k) Should be able to assess the requirement of
c) Should have knowledge of good housekeeping materials for a specific work.
practices, handling of materials and waste l) Should be able to calculate the quantum of work
disposal. done.

COURSE CONTENTS
Practical Competencies Underpinning Knowledge (Theory)
a) Identification of tools and equipments used in Bar a) Role of Bar Bender.
Bending work.
b) Use of protective clothing, boots, goggles and b) Description of trade.
equipment as applicable to a task.
c) Good house keeping practices, proper handling of c) Different types of tools and equipments used in
materials and waste disposal. bar bending work.
d) Safety precautions and safety belts while working d) While using raw materials.
at site.
e) Store/lay materials at work in safe manner. e) On the machines & equipments.
f) Use and store of tools and equipments in a f) Study of various types of steel used in Bar
safe manner. Bending work.
g) Measurement length & diameter in MKS & FPS g) Knowledge of measurements and its conversion
system. to other system.
h) Prefabricate Pre-cast Elements (Slabs)
From pre-cast drawings and schedule to form mats h) Read and understand pre-cast drawing schedule
with ends hooks and tie on moulds as per schedules to no. Repetition mirror images if any and spacers.
a tolerance of 5mm. All bends to be in flat plane.

Journal of the Indian Roads Congress, October-December 2010

 ROAD SECTOR - SKILLS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 233

i) Prefabricate cage for beams

From simple drawing and schedule select, cut and bend i) Read and understanding drawing, and schedule
steel to given dimension and from page for beam, using marking out, sequence of construction,
closed four sided stirrups, all bars as per drawing to a selection of former. Use of hand tools.
tolerance of 5mm. Links to be tight (Can not be
moved by hand).
j) Prefabricate cage for beam with shear bars
From drawing / schedule. Select, cut and bend steel to j) Read and understand drawing/schedule,
given dimension and form cage for beam. Using stirrups. marking out, sequence of construction,
Additional crank bars all bars as per drawing and to a selection of former. Use of hand tools.
tolerance 5mm. Stirrups to be tight (cannot be
moved by hand)
k) Prefabricate cage for column and base and set in
position
From drawing / schedule. Select, cut and bend steel to k) Read and understand drawing/schedule,
given dimension, make up set up in-situ, all bars as per marking out, sequence of construction,
drawing 5mm. Base and starter bars rigid, all ties tight. selection of former. Use of hand tools.
l) Pre-fabricate cage for column incorporating Corbals
From drawing / schedule. Select, cut and bend steel to l) Read and understanding drawing/schedule,
given dimension, make up and all bars brackets as per marking out, sequence of construction,
drawing to a tolerance of 5mm. Bars to be true selection of former. Use of hand tools.
horizontal and vertical, ties tight.
m) Pre-fabricate cage for column incorporating crank bars
From drawing / schedule. Select, cut and bend steel to m) Read and understand drawing/ schedule,
given dimension, make up and all bars as per drawing marking out, sequence of construction,
to a tolerance of 5mm. All bars to be true vertical and selection of former. Use of hand tools.
ties tight. All crank bars in flat plane.
n) Prefabricate cage for beam with alteration in section
a long length
From drawing / schedule. Select, cut and bend steel to n) Read and understand drawing / schedule,
given dimension, make up and all bars as per drawing. marking out, sequence of construction,
Introduce new bars and alterations to a tolerance of selection of former. Use of hand tools.
5mm. All bars to be true vertical and ties tight. All
crank bars in flat plane.
o) Lap length to fabricate weld
From drawing / schedule. Select, cut and bend steel to o) Read and understand drawing / schedule,
given dimension, make up and all bars as per drawing. marking out, sequence of construction,
Introduce new bars and alterations to a tolerance of selection of former. Use of hand tools
5mm. All bars to be true vertical and ties tight. All
crank bars in flat plane.
p) Prefabricate and set in-situ cage for stair case
From drawing / schedule. Select, cut and bend steel to p) Read and understand drawing/schedule,
given dimension, make up and set up in-situ, required marking out, sequence of construction,
angle, slope all bars as per drawing 5mm. Base and selection of former. Use of hand tools
starter bars rigid, all ties tight.
Industry and construction site visit

Journal of the Indian Roads Congress, October-December 2010

234 GUPTA ON ROAD SECTORG- UPTA
SKILLS
ONDEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

LIST OF TOOLS AND EQUIPMENTS

For courses
Assistant Bar Bender & Steel Fixer and Bar Bender

S. No Description Quantity Total

Diaplay Training
1 10 Pounds Hammer 1 5 6
2 0.1 P Hammer 1 15 16
3 Chisel 1 10 11
4 Binding Hook 1 20 21
5 Lever (sizes - 6mm, 8 mm, 10 mm and 12 mm) 1 20 21
6 Lever (900 mm long) - 16, 20 and 25 mm) 12 No.
7 Plumb Bob 4 No.
8 Measuring Tape - 3 meter 1 20 21
15 m & 30 m 1 each 2
9 Tri-Square 4 No.
10 Pin Plate 20 No.
11 Bull Head Rail Pieces (90 Lbs) 600 mm length 6 No.
12 Chalk box 5 Box
13 Binding Wire (18 guage) 125 Kg
14 Reinforcement steel rods
a) 8 mm 0.5 ton per
batch
b) 10 mm 0.75 ton for
four batches
c) 12 mm 0.75 ton for
four batches
d) 16 mm 0.75 ton for
four batches
e) 25 mm 0.75 ton for
four
15 Wooden Planks (3 m 25 cm 5 cm) 10 No.
16 Wooden Posts (1.5 m 10 cm 10 cm) 40 No.
17 Paint (Smoke Grey) 10 litres
Safety Items
1 Safety Helmet 21 No.
2 Safety Shoes 21 No.
3 Goggles 21 No.
4 Hand Gloves 21 No.
Machineries
01 Bar Cutting Machine 02 No.
02 Bar Binding Machine 02 No.
03 Bar Bending Machine (Manual) 02 No.

Journal of the Indian Roads Congress, October-December 2010