The initiative comes amid short-supply of skilled workers in readymade garment (RMG) factories which have failed to operate in full capacity due to shortage of qualified workers. [break]
"We are feeling acute shortage of trained workers as many are leaving the country to grab opportunities in the Middle East, where earnings are better than here," Uday Raj Pandey, president of the Garment Association of Nepal (GAN), told Republica.
Nepal´s RMG producers hope the training center opened jointly by the GAN and the Trade and Export Promotion Center (TEPC) would fill the labor supply gap to some extent.
"We frequently receive complaints from entrepreneurs about shortage of skilled workers. We are bringing the training center into operation to address the problem," Pandey said.
The GAN and the TEPC, which have invested Rs 1 million each in the training center, are jointly holding training sessions at a rented hall of a garment factory at Pepsicola in Kathmandu from May 15. These three-month-long training programs are expected to be held thrice a year.
The GAN has already sought applications from youths for the training program, under which 30 participants will be taught various skills in each session.
“We have guaranteed at least one year´s employment for those who successfully complete the training. Participants will get salary at par with the minimum wage fixed by the government,” Pandey said, adding, some apparel producers have already offered jobs for such participants.
Nine RMG firms, including Pure Clothing, Heritage Garment, and Ami Apparel, have already shown interest to recruit workers who complete the training, according to Pandey. Other companies like Transhift Garment are also making similar offers.
“RMG producers´ willingness to hire trained workers indicates acute shortage of qualified human resources in this sector,” said Pandey.
It is said firms with over 60 machines are putting as little as 30 to use due to lack of trained human resources, portraying capacity underutilization at garment factories.
"These firms can make optimal use of their machines and enhance production if they get quality human resources," Pandey said.
Availability of trained human resources is also expected to put an end to the practice of outsourcing works to foreign countries.
According to the GAN, more than 80,000 people used to work in 262 different garment factories in Nepal in 2001. Now, only three dozen firms are in operation.
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