A need of accomplishing efficient delivery systems for habitat services, to ensure the regular livelihood of masons, and to protect their rights gave birth to the concept of Artisans Guild to be developed on a primary basis. In this context, SDC climate change project has proven a good opportunity in capacity enhancement process of TARA Karigar Mandal (TKM). As we all know, masons are the potential ‘agents of change’ for improved rural habitat conditions, if their basic capacities are built to meet the needs and expectations of the clients. DA’s endeavours for masons’ capacity building have marched towards formation of a masons’ association.

The Mandal has various advantages through the SDC climate change programme in the artisan cluster. It will help to enhance the technical capacity building of TKM artisans, ensure that the artisans of the area as a group become sensitive to the needs and condition of the rural people in housing, and forecast marketable skills through the establishment of a labour market intelligence system. TKM will help to institutionalise the skill and technology in this area. It ensures regular livelihood and better income as well as opportunities. Quality control, training and certification, collective negotiating power for better and sustained livelihoods and accrued social benefits for the member masons are some important areas where the association aspires to work in. Considering the present scenario, there is an increasing demand of skilled labour. This is on account of globalisation, changes in technology as well as work processes. Production has been getting globalised and financial markets the world over are becoming integrated. As per the classification of the ‘Report of the working group on Skill Development and Training’, there are 8% skilled, 13% semi skilled and 79% unskilled workers available in the construction sector. These statistics reflect the growing demand of trained artisans in this industry.

How Far Have We Reached?

Till date, some 100 masons from various villages of Bundelkhand trained directly under masons’ training programme have received practical learning on a variety of sustainable cost-effective building practices promoted by Development Alternatives (DA) through its rural habitat work in Bundelkhand region. There are a total of six common interest groups of masons formed in different villages under the SDC project. The skill up gradation has resulted into an increase in the wages of masons and secured their livelihood, which is delivering their services in different types of quality work. At the same time, the Mandal is also looking after their on job training. Recently, we had the opportunity to construct four houses in village Mador under the Lok Awaas Yatra (LAY) scheme. For technical training of roofing and wall options, 20 masons were trained on two types of roofing options and rat-trap technology. Now these trained artisans are ready to deliver their services towards creating better infrastructure facilities.

The Way Forward

In such a short time, the Mandal has delivered notable deliverables in the field of infrastructure development. There is challenge to mange the growth potential of TKM in a manner which makes it applicable, pragmatic and sustainable.

Through the Mandal, we are planning to establish some training centres of innovative technology in terms of paving block, MCR, pre cast wall and other pre fabricated products which may support the creation of sustainable livelihoods to the members of TKM. Our planning is to train the masons as ‘Local architects and delivery agents’. They will be trained in small engineering tools through SDC artisan cluster activities.

A catalogue was developed with different drawings, designs and estimates for the masons. Thus, in future, masons will come out as the backbone for delivering the social housing in Bundelkhand region. Many developed and developing nations the world over have evolved a standard of certification of competencies at different levels. A person who has gained relevant knowledge and skills, formally or informally in a designated occupation, has to be certified. Considering the same, recently we provided training on group strengthening processes to members of TARA Karigar Mandal under the SDC programme.

In the near future, Government, Semi Government and private builders will get trained manpower for green construction, during disaster mitigation and reconstruction work in form of the TARA Karigar Mandal. TKM will provide its efficient services anywhere in India and act a promoter of eco friendly construction materials and green building technology in rural and urban area. TARA Karigar Mandal has defined its direction and is gaining momentum to achieve new heights. q

Vinit Nigam
vnigam@devalt.org

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