HEADLINE NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

Alliance for manpower production
Taking trainings to doorsteps of villagers

BY PREM N. KAKKAR

Udipur, Lamjung, Mar. 24:In a unique alliance between the Middle Marshyangdi Hydro Project and Balaju Technical Training Centre (BTTC), a training programme for producing skilled manpower has been initiated in Udipur village development committee since the past two months.

The Project provides the total cost of the training programme while BTTC offers its technical expertise including the trainers and the materials needed for it. The cost per trainee, according to Ms. Gosain K.C., Deputy Director with Nepal Electricity Authority, is around Rs. 8000.

Manpower

The scheme is altogether of a different kind because the training programme is being conducted with a view to produce manpower even before the works has started. The successful trainees may be absorbed by the Project. The trainees belong to the same VDC where the trainining programme is taking place. Many of them come from families whose land are taken over by the Project or come from the underprivileged lot.

The training programme is being conducted in the Udipur VDC itself and not in Kathmandu where BTTC operates. A part of the VDC building has been transformed as the training centre. The building and its premises have undergone a transformation since the time the programme was launched. It has a new look with stone steps leading from the Dumre-Besishahar road up the minute’s walk to the VDC office. This all speaks of the enthusiasm of the trainees all of whom are local villagers.

Technical

Bringing a training programme to the doorsteps of the villagers is in itself a feat considering the various technical and other problems. While the trainees and the VDC chairman Krishna Bahadur Adhikari have expressed their satisfaction regarding the skill imparted to the locals they would like a programme which is more than a month long. In fact, the present training programme is of one month’s duration in various disciplines like masonry, carpentary, scaffolding, electricity wiring.

22 scaffolding and 15 carpentry trainees were awarded certificates on the successful completion of the one month long training. This is the second batch to be trained by BTTC. The first batch consisted of 25 trainees each in masonry and plumbing. According to Lekh Ratna Shakya, Principal of BTTC, the response for the third batch which started last week has been somewhat lukewarm as only 15 persons have registered themselves for the electrician’s training. In fact, more than 30 applicants’ name had been published but less than half have turned up for the training that has already started.

That Middle Marshyangdi Hydro Project has brought in changes in the VDCs in the region with the metalled road all the way from Dumre to Beshishahar, the headquarters of Lamjung district. Like the saying that road is the harbinger of development, it is evident in this district. Considered as remote at one time, it is easily accessible by road upto the headquarters and only a 5 hours drive from Kathmandu. The Project and the training programme has raised hopes among the locals.

Explore

With the training received, the successful candidates now have a world to explore so that the skills can be utilised for their own prosperity. There is no lack of jobs in the district but there has to be initiative on the part of the trained people also. The Project has not outrightly declared that it will absorb all those who pass out from the training programme. But they will need skilled manpower and the choice is in front of them.

Shedding light on the activities of BTTC, Shakya said that the objective is short term training for producing skilled manpower howsoever short the period may be. BTTC was supported for almost 40 years by the Swiss government till a few years back. It had an annual budget of about 25 to 30 million rupees then. But now it has to stand on its own feet earning from providing consultancy services and organining training programmes. What Udipur has seen is a mobile training programme, he further said.

Labour

He pointed out that the products of the training programme can now sell themselves as per their skill in the labour market. This will reduce the dependency on imported untrained labour.

The trainees were also of the opinion that the training was useful in that a certain level of skill was gained. The enthusiasm of the trainees was reflected by the fact that all wanted further training to be imparted.

Giving away certificates, Harihar Sharma, the Chief District Officer of Lamjung district, expressed his satisfaction over the training programme conducted in the district itself.

Govin Gajurel of CTEVT, expressed the hope that the practical training given under the scheme will bear fruit for the products. He added, thought duration of the training is only one month but that must be considered a good beginning.

Skills

In the context of Nepal, such training programmes at the local level will do much to impart skills to the local people so that they can stand on a better footing than those without it. By funding this technical training programme, Middle Marshyangdi Hydro Project has done a commendable work. BTTC on its part has utilised the trainers from the country itself to conduct the programme. More such programmes would help produce manpower which will be an asset to the country. Gaining skills will also eliminate the dependency syndrome that one often comes across in the country.

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