Credai to replicate Pune's onsite training model

The Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (Credai), the apex body for private real estate developers in the country, is currently evaluating the possibility of replicating the onsite training model for construction workers, being implemented by its Pune chapter, to more states shortly.

“At present, Credia’s national skills development committee is studying the model and is in the process of doing certain modifications to it. We have already received enquires from Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand , Orissa and Mumbai for implementing the same,” C Sekhar Reddy, vice-president, Credai India and president of Credai Andhra Pradesh, told Business Standard.

Credai Pune, under the aegis of the National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC), provides onsite training to construction workers in plastering, masonry, plumbing, electrical works, tile-laying and other allied activities with a Rs 18-crore fund sanctioned by NSDC last year.

Reddy said lack of skilled labour was a cause for concern and the construction industry was currently facing a 30 per cent shortage of skilled workers. “Onsite training will bridge this gap,” he said. In onsite training, the training campus shifts to the construction site rather than the trainees shifting to a fixed campus.

“It (onsite training) improves productivity and quality, besides providing an earn-while-you-learn' opportunity to the workers. A certificate will be given to the worker who has passed the training, which will entitle him to a better pay,” Reddy said.

Reddy said recession, which was followed by the agitations for a separation Telangana statehood, dealt a blow to the real estate sector in Hyderabad, resulting in the sales plummeting by 25-30 per cent.

“Since October 2010, the sector is doing well and we expect to witness sales of 18,000 units a year in Hyderabad, from 10,000 units until two years ago. This projected uptick will primarily be driven by the increase in employment opportunities in the city,” he added.

Meanwhile, Credia India, represents over 6,000 developers through 20 member associations across the country, today announced Ashoka Developers and Builders managing director N Jaiveer Reddy as chairman of Credai Hyderabad, Manjeera Group chairman Yoganand Gajjala as its president and SMR Holdings chairman and managing director S Ram Reddy as general secretary.