The Hindu 19.03.2014
Kudumbasree’s masons all set to enter construction industry
Kudumbasree members undergo masonry training in Kochi.— PHOTO: BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
On successfully creating a pool of women engineers and
supervisors in a largely male-dominated construction sector, the
Kudumbasree Mission in the district is all set to expand its presence in
the sector by training women in allied activities.
The
mission is now focused on training skilled masons, plumbers and
electricians. A 90-day training in masonry for the first batch of 30
women has been completed and the second batch of 25 women is set to
complete training this month-end. Ten of those who completed training
are undergoing internship while many among the rest are doing
independent works.
As part of their practical training, Kudumbasree members constructed three houses at Panayikkulam near Aluva. The houses are
pucca
houses and could be sold by the agency concerned, a senior Kudumbasree official in the district told
The Hindu
.
An agency based in Ettumanoor was roped in to
create the module of training and to execute it. The same agency has
been entrusted with training plumbers and electricians.
The
masons trained under the programme will be roped in for projects to be
undertaken by the construction wing of Kudumbasree, thereby helping them
gain more experience and get more works.
A pool of
37 engineers and supervisors trained by Kitco and split into three teams
is now equipped to take up construction assignments.
The
agreement for their first assignment, a project to construct houses for
scheduled communities at Edakkattuvayal, is likely to be signed soon
after the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April 10.
The
training module for plumbers and electricians has already been
prepared. Training will start only after the elections to avoid
violation of the model code of conduct in force.
Applications
are being sought from aspiring candidates through the neighbourhood
Kudumbasree units. Attitude and aptitude for the job are paramount
considerations. The Kudumbasree Mission is looking to train a batch of
20 plumbers and 20 electricians initially,
The
Ernakulam branch of the mission was the first to initiate training for
engineers, supervisors, masons, plumbers and electricians. Now, Wayanad
and Palakkad units are planning to launch training programmes in
masonry.
The district unit of the mission has
concluded training for supervisors and engineers in the construction
sector for the time being. The project was implemented with the aid of
Hudco and it would be resumed only if someone offered assistance, the
official said.