Jaiprakash to train Bhutanese youth in construction

Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL), a construction company in India, has agreed to train 300 Bhutanese youth a year in construction, for two years.

Last week JAL signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the labour ministry to provide such a training.

The ministry has similar MoUs earlier with three major construction companies of India involved in hydro power projects in Bhutan. The companies are Larsen & Tourbo (L&T), Gamon and the Hindustan Construction company (HCC) to train Bhutanese youths in construction.

This, according to labour officials, is an attempt to produce skilled human resource for hydro power projects in the country by tying up with the major construction companies involved in hydro power projects in Bhutan.

According to the MoU, JAL will provide the assistance in establishing a training unit at the Technical Training Institute (TTI) identified by the ministry earlier known as the vocational training Institutes.

While the ministry will mobilise the agreed number of youths for training, JAL will provide trainings in their engineering institutes or through direct attachment at project sites for on job training.

“Besides the company have also agreed to support in upgrading one of the TTIs in the country which means the company would provide support in either improving infrastructure or providing equipment for upgraded trainings,” labour’s human resource director, Sonam Rinchen, said.

While some batches of youths were already engaged in training with L&T and the Gamon, the detail of training plans are still under discussion with HCC to implement the agreed understanding. “We will also now sit with JAL and work out the training plans,” Sonam Rinchen said. “We’ll be ready to send the youths any time when the company asks us to send.”

According to a fact sheet released on the website of the economic affairs ministry there are a total of 7,371 employees engaged in Punatsangchu Hydro power project I and II out of which 2,167 are Bhutanese employees.

Out of the 2,167 Bhutanese employees, 1,134 work with PHPA-I & II while 1,033 are engaged with contractors involved in the project works.

“The Bhutanese human resource in hydro power projects have seen some improvements from the past and such initiative could bring more improvements in the field of constructions,” officials of PHPA said.

The training would be in the fields of form works, bar bending, wielding and operation of construction equipment.