RPL for Logistics skills from LabourNet

RPL under PMKVY – Implementation by LabourNet (an NSDC Partner)

LabourNet Services India Pvt Ltd, an NSDC partner, is all set to launch Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). This is a skill certification scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) that will impart skill based training to one crore people between 2016 – 2020. RPL will account for 40 lakh candidates whose prior experience and skills will be assessed and certified. This certification process will give their skills industry recognition and help them improve their real incomes and secure sustainable livelihoods.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is being given a lot of importance under the current phase of PMKVY, since it addresses many issues in skill development of unorganized workforce. Through RPL assessments and certifications, candidates will be able to align competencies that they have acquired informally with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) for better opportunities in employment and higher education. It will also lead to the creation of an equitable system where the workers in the informal sector, who did not have a chance to undergo formal training but have acquired the skills on their own, can appear for RPL assessments. This will help them in exploring different options in training to bridge the knowledge and skill gaps or upskill themselves.

LabourNet’s RPL launch on 24th October 2016

LabourNet is launching the RPL program under PMKVY in collaboration with the Logistics Skill Council. Through RPL, LabourNet plans to mobilize the workforce in logistics with experience in various job roles, and certify them in alignment with Qualification Packs as per NSQF, following the 5-step RPL process.

1. Mobilization of candidates
2. Counselling and pre-screening of candidates
3. 12 hours of mandatory orientation to candidates
4. Final assessment of candidates
5. Certificate, mark-sheet and payout to successful candidates

On the day of launch, a 12-hour orientation session will be conducted as a part of preparatory training for RPL in logistics skills. This involves 6 hours of training in technical skills followed by 4 hours of soft skills and 2 hours induction into assessments, related concepts, processes etc. In this phase, we are aiming to target 5000 candidates; this comprises 2000 courier delivery executives, 1500 warehouse packers and 1500 warehouse pickers. We plan to extend RPL to other industry sectors in the coming months.

About the Logistics Sector

The logistics sector in India has been largely unorganized, with many small transport companies, small warehouse operators and freight forwarders employing a huge workforce that is not formally trained. In fact, the organized segment accounts for less than 10% of the total logistics market in India.

Even though larger logistics organizations have brought in some standardization, there are many operators, especially in smaller towns and cities that are working with untrained people who learn on the job. This brings in a need for skilling and training the existing workforce for quality services in different sub-segments of logistics such as Warehouse Operations, Container Stuffing, Packaging, Trucking Operations and Courier delivery.

With the advent of e-commerce, more and more people are choosing to shop online. And this figure is expected to rise significantly during the festive season. As the e-commerce industry grows, so does the need to planned logistics and the need for people who are trained in the field. Particularly, during festivals like Diwali, the industry needs thousands of staff to meet the surge in demand. And this workforce, in most cases temporarily employed, needs to be trained in the basics of package handling, driving, delivery, customer communication and so on. RPL meets the logistics industry needs by evaluating the existing competencies of the workforce acquired informally. It prepares them to get certified and upskill themselves for meeting the industry expectations in terms of quality, consistency and customer delight.

Most of the logistic training courses have been planned keeping in mind the current needs of the economy. In fact, they are being held in the premises of logistic-driven companies like Amazon, Pikkol, TNT, Blue Dart, Quikr, and Bluedart in Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

For the launch of RPL, LabourNet is collaborating with Pikkol, a technology-centric relocation service provider trying to redefine the relocation experience for its customers. Pikkol has serviced over 10000 customers in the past 1.5 years across India and to select international destinations. Partnering with LabourNet, Pikkol aims to sensitize and upskill the workforce involved in the entire value chain to enhance customer experience.

About LabourNet

LabourNet is a social enterprise dedicated to enabling sustainable livelihoods through skilling interventions, wage employment or self-employment. We focus on improving the socioeconomic status of the workforce in the informal sector through various ways of filling in the existing gaps. These gaps could be in the wages or the knowledge and skill levels or employability options. www.labournet.in

LabourNet was founded in 2006 and in the last three years we have scaled up considerably with our presence in 650 locations across India, impacting 440000 individuals.