Workforce productivity and quality through appropriate skill development is the main focus of the MoU signed between National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), GAIL, Skill Development Institute (SDI), Bhubaneswar and LabourNet for successful execution of Urja Ganga Gas Pipeline Project in Odisha. This quadripartite agreement signed on 17th December 2017 in the presence of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Honourable Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India focuses on promoting and enhancing skilling activities and enabling employment to many youth in several clusters.
The MoU was signed on the side lines of the foundation stone laying ceremony of the GAIL’s 12” Natural Gas Spurline to Bhuwaneshwar-Cuttack and Paradip. The partnership holds a special place for the first model Skill Development Institute (SDI) which is developed in the Hydrocarbon Sector and has been designed to provide training to around 300 candidates annually and targets to train more than 40,000 youth over the next 10 years.
Highlights of the partnership
- Provide skill development training related to Urja Ganga Gas Pipeline Project ensuring effective implementation of the project to provide gainful employment to large number of youth
- Develop industry-relevant content and curriculum for skill training in the sector
- Leverage existing infrastructure of Skill Development Institute in order to provide state-of-art vocational training to the youth in the state
- Facilitate placement and entrepreneurship opportunities for the certified candidates
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Honourable Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India said, “Over the years the literacy rate of the State has increased drastically. The youth here has the potential to match up the global standards; all they need is a little push and support from the government, corporate and industries here. Initiatives like these will equip the youth here with relevant skills making them employable and fulfil their aspirations.”
“This is a highly ambitious gas pipeline project aiming to provide piped cooking (PNG) gas to residents of the eastern region of the country and CNG gas for the vehicles. It is a major step towards collective growth and development of the region. The project will require skilled hands to execute it effectively. This partnership with the players working in this field will provide the youth with industry relevant skills needed for this project making them employable,” Shri Pradhan further added.
The MoU signing will specifically help in developing the ready workforce for Exploration & Production, Pipeline & Transportation, Refinery & Marketing and Service providers going forward. This will encourage Oil & Gas Companies and related contractors to hire skilled personnel, incentivize skill training & certification, promote apprenticeship programs in the sector and setup institutes focused on various sub-sectors and allied trades.
The MoU also aims at imparting fresh skill training including Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) / Upskilling in the relevant trades as per the requirement of the project. The skill training to the candidates will be provided in downstream Petroleum sector, Petrochemicals, Plastics and trades pertaining to local industries such as Industrial Welding, industrial Fitter, Pipeline Fitter, Instrumentation Technician, Industrial Electrician, CGD Pipe fitter, LPG Mechanic, LPG delivery personnel, LPG Supervisor, Retail Outlet attendant, Retail outlet Supervisor etc. NSDC will support the Hydrocarbon SSC to develop the Qualification Packs, course curriculum, assessment and certification agencies for the job roles identified by GAIL in a time bound manner.
These trades/courses will be Industry driven based upon the Qualification Packs (QP) designed as per National Occupational Standards (NOS) set by Hydrocarbon Sector Skill Council (HSSC) in association with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). The entities signing the MoU will collaborate in different areas of mutual interest & share knowledge and capability in the concerned areas for mutual benefits.
The institute under the partnership will provide suitable placement assistance to the skilled unemployed youth and will collaborate with right entities to promote a vibrant culture of Entrepreneurship.
The hydrocarbon sector has tremendous potential for employment generation, and hence it is vital to develop a skilled workforce to meet both today’s and tomorrow’s needs. The setting up of the Hydrocarbons SSC under the aegis of MSDE, is the first step in that direction. The Hydrocarbon Sector Skill Council has a target of certifying 19.27 lakh candidates over the next 10 years. It will identify and include around 200 trades in the Labour Market Intelligence System in which students which will be able to train. The Hydrocarbon Sector Skill Council targets to train 1250 trainers under its Train the Trainer (ToT) programme
The institute is affiliated to LabourNet a training Partner of NSDC and will also be affiliated to various sector skill councils like Hydrocarbon Sector Skill Council, Capital Goods Skill Council, Skill Council for Mining Sector, IT-ITeS and also with NASSCOM.
With today’s partnership, both the Ministries committed to develop globally benchmarked workforce for the sector so that lakhs of youth can aspire for better economic opportunities through skill development programs.
(This article is based on a press release from MSDE, Government of India)
