Learning to operate construction machinery is brought to the doorsteps of eastern people. They don’t have to travel all the way to Wangdue Phodrang to learn the operations of heavy construction machines like excavators, bulldozers, backhoes, and several other machines like before.
This was made possible with the opening of a private Technical Training Institute in Samdrup Jongkhar last week.
“This institute is going to be very beneficial in future, I am sure there isn’t any other private institute anywhere else. Right now I am feeling very motivated to learn the skills. Once we finish the training, there will be a lot of opportunities because I don’t think even the present machine operators have all the knowledge that we’re learning here,” said Phub Dorji, a trainee at the Lhawang Yugel Technical Training Institute.
12 trainees are undergoing the institute’s first refresher course. Along with the seven-day refresher course, the institute also offers a four-month-long advanced course. The institute provides both practical and theory classes in operating and maintenance of heavy construction machinery.
Till now, people in the East had to go all the way to Samthang Technical Training institute in Wangdue district as it was the only institute where one could learn how to operate heavy machinery.
“We are learning many new things about the machines which we were not aware of before. This institute is very helpful to us,” said Phuntsho Wangdi, a trainee.
“I have been operating heavy construction machines for the past 12 years but I did not have any idea about the maintenance of the machines. In the past, I would call the mechanic and it incurred a lot of expenses. Now with the training I will be able to do the maintenance works myself,” added Damodar Pokhral, also a trainee.
The institute aims to provide skilled personnel in operating heavy construction equipment and also encourage youths to take up blue-collar jobs.
“We can enhance the occupational and work safety at the construction site which is very important and also to meet the shortage of skilled manpower in the construction industry. We will be imparting technical skill to the youth,” said Ugyen Tenzin, the Training Coordinator.
The fee for the refresher course is Nu 10,000, while Nu 62,000 is charged for the advance course.
Kinley Wangchuk
