It may not be all doom and gloom for the former employees of the Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project in Wangdue Phodrang who were removed from their posts last year. Some eighty individuals are being trained as tailors, bakers and entrepreneurs through a reskilling programme conducted by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment. This is expected to help them not just find a job but also become potential employers in the near future.
Most of these individuals were left worried when the project management announced they were going to be retrenched from the office in August last year. More than 240 of them were laid off with the completion of tunnelling and powerhouse construction works. However, today almost one-third of them including twenty-five women have come together to try out a new vocation.
“I was feeling low after losing my job, having worked for more than a decade under the project. However, now I know how to make cookies, pizza and cakes. So, I am planning to start a bakery shop,” said a trainee, Dorji Dema.
“Now I am better equipped with life skills and know how to sustain my life even if I don’t have a job,” said Khandu Wangmo, who is also training part in the programme.
“I am pretty sure that most of them will be able to bake. Even if they cannot do it for a commercial purpose, they will be able to bake for self-consumption. But I am pretty sure that most of them can do it commercially,” said the Trainer, Ugyen Phuntsho.
From tailoring to baking to confectionery, the participants have tried their hands on these trades at the training funded by the Indian Government. They are now looking at setting up their own businesses.
“After losing my job, it was difficult for me for a few months when I saw my friends going to their offices regularly. Now I know how to stitch Tego, and we are now on Wonju. Next, we will try Kira and Gho. I am hoping to learn it thoroughly. I am sure the training will help us become self-sufficient,” said another trainee, Dorji Wangchuk.
“I am extremely happy about this opportunity. I wanted to learn tailoring for a very long time. Hereafter, I will work for a tailoring shop and get more experience. Then, I will set up my own tailoring shop to earn for my family,” said Yeshi Dema, a trainee.
With the dissatisfaction against the project management regarding the retrenchment process almost dying down, the training could rekindle their hopes for a better future in an entirely new craft.
Changa Dorji
Edited by Kipchu
