Sanitaryware major Hindware and WMPSC (Water Management & Plumbing Skill Council) have entered a strategic partnership to train 5,000 plumbers over the next two years. The partnership aims to bridge the skill gap and provide upskilling opportunities to plumbers across India. The initiative is geared towards improving job prospects and livelihoods and fostering entrepreneurial possibilities for plumbers.
According to Sudhanshu Pokhriyal, CEO of the bath and tiles business at Hindware Ltd, “The plumbing industry in India lacks a skilled workforce as most of the plumbers don’t have access to formal training and education. Our partnership with WMPSC is geared towards addressing this pressing skill gap and upskilling plumbers at the grassroots levels so that they can earn better livelihoods and improve their standard of living. We congratulate WMPSC for its continued efforts in transforming India into a hub for a skilled workforce. We firmly believe this partnership will act as a catalyst in creating equitable opportunities for plumbers through enhanced employability and earnings potential.”
Pokhriyals informs that the plumbing industry, which plays a crucial role in fulfilling the nation’s infrastructure demands, employs around one million plumbers. “However, a significant number of these plumbers lack formal training, which limits their growth prospects and hinders opportunities to earn better livelihoods. The sector remains largely unorganised, with many plumbers acquiring skills solely through on-the-job training or from mentors who may not be familiar with the latest industry developments.”
The collaboration between Hindware and WMPSC, which is in line with the Skill India initiative, is focused on addressing these challenges and empowering the plumbers’ community through upskilling and better job prospects.
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WMPSC is the apex Awarding Body and sector skill council for the water and plumbing industry, operating under the aegis of the National Council for Vocational Education & Training (NCVET) and National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC).
Col A K Chandel, CEO, WMPSC, adds, “In our pursuit of creating a promising future for the sector, we are constantly working towards minimising the gap between the skilled and the unskilled plumbing workforce in India. We are happy to partner with a renowned brand like Hindware. We are certain that our concentrated efforts will help us achieve the common objective of upskilling the plumbers and making skill and education accessible for the community at large.”
The entire training program will be funded by Hindware, according to Pokhriyal. The training curriculum will cover a wide range of topics, including modern plumbing techniques, sanitation practices, customer service, and safety protocols. The participants will also gain insights into the latest advancements in plumbing technology and sustainable plumbing practices, further solidifying their expertise in the field.
The training sessions will be conducted across 100 cities, ensuring widespread accessibility and participation. Each batch of the program will accommodate between 40 to 60 plumbers, creating an interactive and conducive learning environment.
