OMCAP to train workforce

State-owned Overseas Manpower Company Andhra Pradesh Limited (OMCAP) will train about 10,000 candidates in various trades during the current fiscal.

Though the recruiting agency is looking at brand building in the initial years, it will convert this training module into a business model as the overseas companies are ready to invest in getting their workforce trained.

OMCAP general manager KV Swamy said there was a steep demand for skilled labour in West Asia, North America, Europe, Australia and Africa, where construction activity is peaking. Most of them are preferring employees with multiple skills. “The idea is to bring the workmen to overseas standards,” he added.

The training programme will cover masons, erectors, welders, carpenters, dumper drivers, crane operators, riggers, security guards, office attendants, midwives, caretakers among others. The government wing will also facilitate in placement of the trained personnel overseas.

The training will be provided at Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Vijayawada, Anantapur, Kadapa and Warangal apart from Hyderabad. OMCAP has tied up with a few vocational and soft skill training institutes in this regards. Trainers from the National Academy of Construction, ITIs and a few others deputed by OMCAP will conduct the programme.

The training module will be prepared for 15 days to 30 days based on the inputs from the prospective employers. The entire project will be funded by Rajiv Udyogasri, a youth empowerment programme in the state, and Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. The company is targeting to place 400 people this financial year and scale up to 750 in two years.

The official said at least six companies in Dubai have made it mandatory for the labour coming from Andhra Pradesh to get trained at OMCAP before joining the company. OMCAP is also in consultation with other companies to recognise its training.

“AP has been in the forefront in sending manpower overseas. The skilled and semi-skilled workforce from AP can manage to speaking in English,” he explained the reasons for the demand.

Since 2006, OMCAP has placed over 400 people in overseas jobs and the applications of another 400 are being processed. Various companies in Saudi Arabia have asked for about 250 skilled and unskilled labour from civil and electrical engineers to tile fixers offering a basic of 1,200 to 5,000 riyals.

There are also requests for security guards from Mecca, for construction engineers, drivers, masons and helpers from Dubai, Doha, Kuwait and Muscat, he said.