Human Resource

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions, Stores Management, Spare Parts Inventory and Record Keeping. Most manufacturing units in the country are using software such as SAP, Spine, and Tally. However, the challenge faced by management staff is to learn, adopt and implement the system of choice in their manufacturing units effectively. This can only be done if existing and aspiring employees in this field are trained and equipped with the right skills.

There may be significant financial commitments associated with upgrading processes and skills. However, with the size of manufacturing companies such as Refineries, Petrochemical Plants and Automobile units, finding and implementing the right tools and training will have a long-term benefit and return on investment.

At present, there is a talent pool of highly skilled personnel in electrical, mechanical, turning, welding, fitters & boiler operators, but now new demands pertaining to automation, 3-d printing, sap application, smart-plant software, ERP solutions, digital and cloud technologies have risen. Only few educational institutes have started teaching these subjects and their application; so, the existing skills these professionals have can only be applied to a limited extent, or none at all.

This is why a skill gap has emerged, and it needs immediate action to be able to make use of these resources in the present scenario with the dominance of emerging technology. Industry experts
and academia need to come together and produce curriculum to teach new skills which are relevant to jobs in these times. This will enable existing and aspiring professionals to manage new systems and meet new quality standards to attain higher productivity.

For instance, there is a demand for both low temperature welders and highpressure boiler plate welders for the fabrication of LNG Storage Tanks but not enough skilled labour for the same. The
use of remote control valves demands a proper skill set in the field of instrumentation. Additionally, the use of software to detect corrosion and choke in pipelines has recently been implemented in the industry. Due to advancements such as these, the labour that was first carrying out these tasks would now become obsolete. Their skills and training would require a technology-based enhancement, so that they can focus more on the output of value, while other processes are automated.

There is, thus, a need for dedicated I.T. institutes in every state to cater to this ever-increasing need of skilled professionals across specific industry practices and verticals. Within such institutes, the courses need to focus more on career-related experiential learning, rather than theory with limited practical exposure. It is only then that people aspiring towards careers in technical fields can make an impact and channel all they

“At present, there is a talent pool of highly skilled personnel in electrical, mechanical, turning, welding, fitters & boiler operators, but now new demands pertaining to automation, 3-d printing, sap application, smart-plant software, ERP solutions, digital and cloud technologies have risen.”

have learnt during the course of their studies into the professional environment.

Most companies in the near future will automate processes to a large extent, affecting several jobs across sectors. This is where the relevant hands-on training and skills will help professionals adjust to new processes. Once employees are equipped with these skills, they will be able to work towards implementing them creatively at the workspace contributing to their growth and the growth of the organisation.

India’s skill gap can only be addressed if organisations, institutes and individuals themselves work towards the enhancement of their skills in the relevant emerging technology. The overturning
of curriculums will be a long process, but in the meanwhile, online courses, training programmes, internships and employee upskilling/reskilling is what will help close the skill gap that exists
today. This is when organisations will be able to function at the optimal level, and employees will be able to use their skills for meaningful impact and development – both for themselves and their
organisations.

The author is Executive Director,
Aarvi Encon Limited