Andhra Pradesh: Shramika Edu'n Society's 1st rural based pilot project

Hyderabad, India, May 2013: As the demand for skilled artisans to serve the construction industry is growing at enormous pace, HIL (formerly Hyderabad Industries Limited) and Shramika Educational Society an NGO in Andhra Pradesh has joined hands to train and build a talent pool of Masons, Carpenters, Electricians, and Fitters with an objective to create employment opportunities for the rural and economically weaker section of the society. To begin with, HIL under its CSR initiative announced today the roll out of its first pilot "TARRAKI KI CHHAON-MEIN" project enrolling 25 students from rural Andhra Pradesh for a 45 day course which commenced on the International Labor Day May 1st.

Making the announcement Abhaya Shankar, Managing Director of HIL said this is our first pilot project as part of our CSR initiative "TARRAKI KI CHHAON-MEIN", along with Shramika towards bridging the gap of non-availability of Skilled manpower in India and also fulfilling NSDC objective - ‘up skilling 500 million people in India by 2022' . Going forward we would like to replicate this in another 10 locations across India especially in those areas where we have our plants to ensure that we are able to help these artisans to have a sustainable livelihood as we can place them within the organizational network as well as through our vast network of dealers, architects, construction firms who require such skilled work force.

The 45 day course is targeted to uplift weaker sections of the society who have the aptitude with an educational background of 8th, 10th & Intermediates and those who do not have access to skill training or education that will improve their livelihood. The students enrolled into the course go through a rigorous training and will be awarded certificates from Shramika (Shramika is tied up with Steinbeis -Germany, a technology transfer company and a certification body) in the appropriate grades, thus enabling them to function adequately in the construction industry at the end of the course.

It is rather important for artisans directly involved in the handling and usage of materials that constitute about 60% of the cost of building projects to be competitive, skilled and economically motivated so as to perform optimally. Abhaya adds. Our aim is to build a stronger eco-system, at the bottom of the pyramid in the construction industry through various initiatives such as "TARRAKI KI CHHAON-MEIN" which is a win-win situation for them as well as the industry.

Speaking on the occasion Mohan Sarju, President of Shramika Educational Society that is conducting this 45 day course in partnership with HIL said, "It's really encouraging that HIL has taken such a noble cause as their responsibility and acted on it. Such programs will help artisans from rural India to develop their skills sets and personality. It will add a new meaning to the lives of the youth of this region and bring economic prosperity. "

Our goal is to create employable technical manpower through skill development in the new infra development environment which is going green and technology has become far more advanced. The training modules developed by Shramika are very effective for overall skill development of the trainee both in technical skills and in soft skills. The placement network developed by Shramika we found provides added strength for the placement of the students, post training "TARRAKI KI CHHAON-MEIN" Vice President HR of HIL Sanjay Kavathalkar said.

Trained Students under "TARRAKI KI CHHAON-MEIN" can look forward to start their career with an initial salary of 5500-7000 rupees per month and scale up to a level of 15000 rupees per month with in span of 18-24 months of their career, depending upon their performance.

The construction process usually progress from simple areas requiring minimal skill level to complex (finishing) areas that requires high skills levels. In this course artisans are guided continuously in order to improve their skills gradually as a construction project progress through the different stages. We are confident at the end of each course; the artisans would acquire improved skills and can adapt it under different situations.

We invite NGO and Social organizations working in different parts of the rural India to partner with us in this initiative under the current model we believe is sustainable. We will extend support to our partner NGO and Social groups across different locations to ensure that the students get the best academic and placements. Our key motive is to sustain the program and we are committed Abhaya Shankar added.

At present there is a shortage of the skilled manpower in India as the organized sector has limited supply and hence the gap between the demand and supply for the skilled manpower is increasing.

About HIL

HIL Limited (www.hil.in) is a flagship Company of the C.K. Birla Group of Companies. Incorporated on 17th June 1946, we are one of the oldest fibre cement roof manufacturing companies in India. We are proud to have developed brands that have stood the test of time and created a legacy of market leadership. Our sheeting brand "Charminar" built over a period of 60 years based on affordability, quality, strength and durability, continues to enjoy the confidence of our customers. Our extensive sales and distribution network spread across the country, with a representation in all the states, is a result of our continued efforts to extend the network and ensure availability of our products even in remote rural areas.

Currently a major trend that is sweeping the building products industry is the "Green" factor. We anticipated this Green revolution a decade ago, and our mature product lines of Aerocon and Hysil stand testimony to that fact.

About Shramika Educational Society

Shramika (an Educational Society) is a registered society under section 25 of Registration Act. Shramika is engaged in training the rural & urban unemployed youth in the state of Andhra Pradesh and shall be supporting Hyderabad Industries Limited (HIL Ltd.) in their CSR activity.