VIJAYAWADA: Over 200 truck drivers will swarm the world-class driving school at Ampapuram from July 2 to be part of an unique training programme, which will include classes in left-hand driving and spoken English. The four-month training will equip truckers with driving skills and English-speaking ability. The trainees are part of the Overseas Manpower Company Andhra Pradesh Ltd. (OMCAP) floated by the Government to find employment opportunities for Indian workforce overseas. This will be the first batch of workers, trained and sent abroad under the protective wings of OMCAP.

Lingo basics

"It is necessary to familiarise them with the language of the land they will be working for. If everything goes well, the trainees will be off to United States of America by December this year," says K. Mangapathi Rao, commissioner of employment and training and managing director of OMCAP. Mr. Rao was in the city on Monday to visit and assess the driving standards at Ampapuram driving school, maintained by members of Krishna District Lorry Owners' Association.

Shortage abroad

Of the 400 applications received from truck drivers across the State, 236 were shortlisted in a preliminary test conducted at Hyderabad in April.

There is a shortage of truckers in the US and the State has workforce to supply. Mr. Rao is confabulating with Philip Gagan, representative or a consortium of nearly 40 transport companies in the US. "Mr. Gagan has already placed his order for nearly 3,000 truck drivers annually for the next five years in a row," says Mr. Rao.

Speaking about the driving school, Mr. Gagan says he is very much impressed by the high standards.

"I am more than satisfied with such a world-class facility here ," he says. Regional employment officer Himabindu and others were present.

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