Many multi-storey glass facade complexes and tech parks in the country are unable to mobilise even 50 per cent of the skilled manpower required to carry out ancillary infrastructure work and maintenance activities, according to speakers at a meeting here on Wednesday.
K.N.Satyanarayana, civil engineering professor at IIT-Madras, said: “There is a huge skill deficit in the country. The way buildings are built is changing. But where are the trained personnel for emerging fields such as building services, air-conditioning and ventilation, and escalator installation?”
He was speaking at the valedictory function of the first batch of graduates from the Glass Fabrication Skill Institute at Central Polytechnic College (CPC), Taramani. Mr.Satyanarayana, who is also the vice-chairman of the Glass Academy Board, an industry-sponsored training body, stressed the need to address the lacunae in academic curriculum at various levels in order to produce adequate manpower and fuel growth.
“Unlike 30 years ago, when 70 per cent of the cost of a building used to be the main structure, glass is an important building material in many projects today. But there are not enough trained glass fabrication and glazing technicians,” he said.
The first batch of 34 students, who undertook a four-month certification course offered by CPC as part of their Diploma programme, got their appointment orders on Wednesday along with their graduation certificates. Various companies issued them the orders.
With 30,000 workers required in the glass fabrication and installation business, getting a job is a near certainty, Mr. Satyanarayana said.
The unique feature of the programme is the industry-professional-academia interface. The curriculum is designed by industry experts, taught by those who are in the profession and offers scope for practical training and field visits. C.N.Raghavendran, chairman, Glass Advisory Board, said that the model will be scaled and replicated in a number of other institutions. “This is the start of a collaborative effort which has the potential to benefit the students as well as the industry. Specialising in building materials is very new in the country and is a growing area of opportunity.” K.Sundaramoorthy, principal, spoke.
