CIDC issues certificates to KSCW trained women workers

The Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC), an apex body for the development of construction industry has issued certificates to the women workers of Karmika School for Construction Workers (KSCW) in a function held in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. The women workers comprising from different fields like masonry, plumbing, plastering, carpentry, and bar bending, among others were given certificates.

Karmika School for Construction Workers (KSCW), the only school for training of women workers in construction industry in the country recently concluded training of more than 300 women workers.

"There is a need to take the training on latest equipment so that the women workers can earn more. Mahila Housing Sewa Trust contributed significantly in this area," said Anil Zinzuwadia, secretary, Gujarat Contractors Association.

Post training, the women workers will now able to enhance their quality of life, raise their economic strength, productive efficiency and consequently bargaining power. Industry experts opined that the construction industry will also get benefited with easy availability of skilled labour.

"There is a high demand of trained supervisors in construction industry. The skilled women workers save money and energy and hence there is a huge demand of skilled labour force," said Arvindbhai, managing director, Vandemataram Projects Pvt Ltd,

According to a KSCW impact survey about the trained workers, there has been increase in average earning of these people after they have attended the training programme. The survey reveals that the regular labourer, who received training from the KSCW, also reported an increase in employment days as well as income. After the training programme there has been increase of employment days by 16.66 per cent and income by 114.28 per cent on an average.

Set up by SEWA in 2003, Karmika School for Construction Workers (KSCW) at Ahmedabad has been training women workers in construction industry in the new technology. The institute collaborated with CIDC, to undertake testing and certification of trainees.

KSCW also partners with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to facilitate distance learning programmes using web-based technology and television and radio programs as well as training and certification programmes.

Meanwhile, KSCW has also forged linkages with private sector building firms for on-the-job training and employment on construction sites.