The Union Budget 2023 emphasized the focus on upskilling programs as the central government announced that PMKVY 4.0 would be launched to skill millions of youth and 30 Skill India International Centers would be set up in various states. Such initiatives can be useful for a country like India as labor intensive sectors like real estate contribute about 7% of the country’s GDP. A skilled labor force is imperative for the growth of the real estate industry and CREDAI, the apex body of private real estate developers in India, has enrolled over 7,000 workers under the NIPUN (National Initiative for Skill Upgradation of Construction Workers) initiative, which is a Unique initiative. Upskilling program for the construction workforce under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
The Government and MoHUA, through the implementing agencies, have identified the skill deficit in the current construction workforce and have taken initiatives to train them in content that is specially developed keeping in mind the individual needs of the workers. Nationally recognized certificate is awarded by NSDC after 80 hours training program and third party assessment conducted by Construction Skill Council. This certificate gives laborers who have never received any official training or skills, a sense of pride and confidence.
“More than 2 lakh construction workers have benefited from our skill initiative since 2011 and under the Nipun initiative, we plan to upskill 20,000 workers further. We thank MoHUA for rolling out NIPUN at a time when the construction sector in India is growing at a rapid pace.”