New Delhi: The Delhi government has announced an ambitious plan to upskill 1.20 lakh registered construction workers in the city, aiming to improve their efficiency, employability, and overall livelihood prospects. The initiative, spearheaded by the Delhi Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare (DBOCWW) Board, is part of the broader framework under the Code of Social Security, 2020, which was implemented in the capital in November last year.

Construction workers, many of whom migrate from rural areas across India in search of livelihood opportunities, constitute one of the most vulnerable segments of the labour workforce. According to senior Delhi government officials, skill development initiatives are critical to empower this workforce, equip them with practical abilities relevant to their trades, and ensure safer, more productive employment.

Skill Training Framework

Under this initiative, the DBOCWW Board plans to roll out training over a period of three years, engaging professional training partners to deliver employment-relevant courses aligned with recognized standards. The program will cover a wide range of construction trades, including:

• Masonry
• Bar bending and steel fixing
• Shuttering
• Electrical work
• Carpentry
• Painting and decoration

Each training module is designed to deliver practical skills directly applicable to on-site work, ensuring that the workers not only gain new abilities but can also enhance their economic empowerment and long-term employability.

Training Logistics and Batch Structure

The training plan targets 40,000 workers per year, with each participant undergoing 120 hours of structured instruction tailored to their respective job roles. Batch sizes will range from 20 to 50 workers, allowing for hands-on learning and individual attention.

Training partners will provide the entire infrastructure, tools, study materials, and stationery needed for effective learning. Sessions will be conducted both in camp mode at Labour Chowks and directly at the construction sites, allowing for practical demonstrations in real-world conditions.

Assessment, Certification, and Monitoring

At the conclusion of the training, workers will undergo assessments to evaluate their learning outcomes. Successful participants will receive certification from the training partners, which can bolster their credibility in the labour market and improve job prospects.

For transparency and accountability, training partners will maintain a digital dashboard tracking training activities, which will be regularly updated for review by the Board. Officials will conduct spot checks and audits to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the programs.

Broader Impact

This initiative aligns with the social security mandate of the 2020 Code, which empowers Welfare Boards like the DBOCWW to provide not only financial support and welfare benefits but also skill development and awareness programs for registered workers. By enhancing practical skills, the program aims to reduce vulnerability, increase earning potential, and promote long-term economic security for workers who form the backbone of Delhi’s construction sector.

The government hopes that, once fully implemented, this program will serve as a model for other states, demonstrating how structured skill development initiatives under the Social Security Code can improve the livelihoods of migrant and unskilled workers while contributing to overall workforce productivity and safety in urban construction projects.

In summary, the Delhi government’s program to upskill 1.20 lakh construction workers over three years reflects a strategic investment in human capital, combining training, assessment, and certification to empower one of the most critical yet vulnerable sections of the urban workforce.

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