Tiruchy ancillary units face manpower crunch
TIRUCHY: Unemployment may the problem that nags the nation.
But here is a group of industries in and around Tiruchy that have been clearly hit by a manpower shortage and are taking desperate steps to find workers - skilled as well as unskilled.
‘‘Atkal thevai’’ (Workers wanted). Thus welcome the boards hanging on the gates of almost all the units in the industrial estates at Thuvakudi, Thiruverumbur, iyamangalam and Mathur.
The ancillary units of PSU giant Bharath Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), working under the aegis of BHEL Small Scale Industries Association (BHELSSIA), have hit by a manpower shortage owing to the sudden spurt of orders flowing in.
The 200 odd units involved in making spares for BHEL and industries manufacturing wind energy generators are in need of over 5000 workers - diploma holders in mechanical engineering, welders, fitters, turners and helpers.
Earlier the units were procession 60,000 tonnes of steel, while now it is around 1.5 lakh tonnes, prompting the need for more manpower to meet the demands, said Tiruchy District Small Scale and Tiny Industries Association (TIDISSIA) Vice-President N Kanagasabapathy.
The boom in the wind energy sector has also stimulated the increase in orders for the ancillary units, he said, adding each unit would need from 10 to 20 more workers.
Sources indicate that there would be a further increase in the need for manpower, which is hinted by the fact that BHEL has recruited 119 persons recently - after many years.
Now the industries have planned to conduct campus interviews in eight districts in the region through the Employment Office. In fact, an interview was held in Thanjavur, where few diploma holders were recruited.
Assistant Director of District Employment Office, P Suresh Kumar, has extended cooperation to find workers through study circles, he said. Recently, the District Employment Office had also helped 40 physically disabled persons land in appropriate jobs in the units.
BHELSSIA is also conducting campus interviews in various technical institutes in the State. One of the factors that need to be addressed is the distance between the workers’ place and the units, said a unit owner, adding that many units are planning to provide accommodation to the workers from places far away.
Not only men, but also women would be absorbed for clerical jobs, he said, adding there is a separate wing in BHELSSIA for training freshers. Now the industries have planned to conduct campus interviews in eight districts in the region through the Employment Office.
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