Education and Skill Development in Mining Sector

OverviewThe mining industry in India in general and Gujarat

in particular is experiencing critical skill shortage which is driving high turnover of mining manpower and hike in the wages.

In contrast, there is high level of unemployment and high expectations of local communities.

Changing mind-sets for skill development is required for resolving this issue.

Identification of the main stumbling blocks within the skill development effort and articulating the viable solutions and implementation strategies are required.

Key Issues and Challenges in Skill Development in Mining SectorAbsence of any skill development legislation and

national/ state level skill development body specifically for mining sector.

Skill development by mining companies are left to junior level officers whose role is more clerical than facilitation of skills development.

Shortage of Skill development Centres in mining areas as this is the least priority area as considered by mining companies.

Most mines operate in rural areas having poor or no relevant infrastructure required to facilitate technology based skill development initiatives.

Key Issues and Challenges in Skill Development in Mining SectorUnder-utilization of resources available for

skill development resulting in upward pressure on skill development cost.

Local communities are not involved in skills development strategies.

Many educational institutes end up producing qualifications that bear no relation to industry requirement.

Way AheadA national/ state level skill development body

(mining industry specific) having a mandate for:Mining labour research and labour market

information systemDevelopment of national occupational standards/

curriculumAccreditation and Certification Skill cataloguingComprehensive long term skill development planIdentification, selection and accreditation of training

providers and promote them as an Academy of excellence

Way AheadAssessing the capabilities of existing mining

manpower and requirement of training for enhancing their capabilities

Review of present skill development programmes and outcome of training imparted for suggesting effective modalities to facilitate meeting requirement of manpower in various field of mining activities.

Assessment of requirement of manpower in next 10-15 years in different streams and designing training modules in form of orientation course.

Way AheadIdentification and assessment of emerging

requirements of formal/ non-formal training and assessment of capacity and potential of the existing institutional set up in relation to emerging skill requirements.

Augmenting the role of mining industry from merely advisory level to that of supplementing inputs to further strengthen industry-institute inter-action.

Appropriate framework for skill development and capacity building of youth in mining areas with an aim at creating a pool of local skills that can be depended on to remain in the area of their origin thus reducing labour turn over.

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