Picture Courtesy: MOWHS’s Facebook Page
The immediate workforce gap in the construction sector further worsened by the pandemic is likely to recover with the launch of Specialised Firms today. Works and Human Settlement Ministry and the Labour Ministry awarded direct works to the eight registered Specialised Firms during the launch.
Specialised Firms are a critical component of the Build Bhutan Project which was introduced as an important feature of the Economic Contingency Plan-I.
The registered Specialised Firms will engage youth who have studied various construction trades in the technical training institutes as well as those trained under the Build Bhutan Project.
“The biggest blow to our economy currently is we aren’t able to keep money in the country. And I feel this shouldn’t be the case. Instead, we can form specialised firms, and help improve the economy of our country. Today, our specialised firm just has a plumbing service but in the future, we would like to expand and include carpentry, masonry, and many more,” said Ugyen Tenzin, a specialist at the Pelden Skill Services.
“I thought it’s a good opportunity to work at difficult times like the current pandemic. I joined with full interest and zest to learn to help my country. Instead of relying on foreign workers, I realised that there is nothing we can’t do as Bhutanese. And regarding our job right now, we are learning from the basics, right from mixing to building walls,” said Leki Wangmo, a trainee at Design and Build Bhutan.
“I am a TTI pass out and whatever we have learned can be applied here. We don’t have to sit for interviews to get a job. It was easier here. The moment we graduate from the institute with the set of skills, we can right away engage ourselves here. And which is why I registered and joined here,” added Deo Kumar Subba, also a trainee at Design and Build Bhutan.
To start with, specialised firms will cover six construction trades such as electrical, plumbing, construction carpentry, steel fabrication, masonry, and building painting. The firms are certified by the Construction Development Board upon meeting the requirements.
“Today’s main intention of awarding work directly to the eight registered specialised firms is basically to promote this specialisation firm in the construction industry. And it is also for the sustainability of the firms so that we can build the capacity of these firms and then these firms can be ready to take up the bigger projects,” said Phub Rinzin, the Director of Construction Development Board.
The direct award work will however apply only for the fiscal year 2020-2021. The eight registered firms are awarded repair and maintenance works worth Nu 11.201 M.
“Besides giving direct work to them, the government also has some other supports like the low-interest loan from CSI bank and credit guarantee scheme, and then we have also given them the power tools for the first eight firms and then also some personal protection equipment. We also have policy interventions like wage top-up for all the workers working with them. And the most important thing is we are also working with international firms for getting a master trainer so that we can build their skills in their respective trade,” he added.
Some 3,100 have registered with the Build Bhutan Project. From this, around 270 have been directly engaged in various firms including the Specialised Firms, more than 70 are enrolled in training institutes and some 300 are awaiting their enrolment.
Sonam Pem
