KOLKATA | May 29, 2017: Hindustan Zinc (HZL) has set up a mining academy to train youth in mining. The company will invest Rs 30 crore in next 5 years to train some 500 personnel in response to a growing need for skilled technical manpower in the country’s natural resources sector.

The latter has been attracting best of talent among engineers and management trainees in the last 10 years, including a growing number of women who are joining the fray. A number of international experts have joined at key positions to explore natural resources, to improve metal recovery and build a future of sustainable mining. This lead HZL to identify areas in under-ground mining where need of skilled manpower is being felt. Two distinct roles that of Jumbo Drill Operator and Winding Engine Operators were identified, both positions that are currently being fulfilled by expats.

HZL thus decided to set up what is perhaps the first Mining Academy that would train ITI pass-outs in Jumbo Drill Operations and in Winding Engine Operations, who would also have training in Banks-men and Bellman Operations. The academy has been set-up in collaboration with Skill Council for Mining Sector and training partner Indian Institute of Skill Development Pvt. Ltd. Commenting on the initiative, Sunil Duggal, CEO, HZL said: “The prime objective of setting up the Mining Academy in Rajasthan is to enhance employability of eligible youth. Hindustan Zinc completely endorses Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s thoughts on the scope of creating employment for millions in natural resources sector. The academy would provide an opportunity to ITI pass-outs, who are below the age of 30 years and academically qualified to operate after thorough training. These trainees are also given a monthly stipend of Rs 2000 to Rs 7000, linked to their performance. Currently the training centres are in Bhilwara, Rajsamand and Zawar near Udaipur.

(Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/)