Welcome To Vayumitra Skill Development Programme

Vayumitra Skill Development Programme

National Institute of Wind Energy formerly Centre for Wind Energy Technology shortly known as NIWE is an autonomous R&D institution established in 1998 at Chennai by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India. NIWE is a premier institution of its kind in South East Asia with highly experienced professionals having expertise in all related disciplines of wind energy sector. NIWE is a forward looking and practical institution always well placed to take the next logical steps towards advancing wind technology in the right direction. With its progressive approach to all wind energy related science and technology from onshore to offshore, NIWE assures assistance from resource assessment (both wind and solar, RE forecasting for Energy production) to project implementation. As an integral part of NIWE, a world class accredited Services providing Wind Turbine Test Station (WTTS) is established at Kayathar, Tamil Nadu. Perhaps, NIWE is the only Testing and Certifying agency in the country.

Decades of concerted efforts have started to yield gratifying results and today, Wind power contributes to about 10% (44,736 MW) of the total Indian energy mix of 4,28,299 MW as on December 2023 and stands fourth in terms of installed wind power capacity worldwide. Among all renewable energy options, wind power accounts for 35% of the installed RE capacity in the country, and is the most commercially competitive source of renewable energy.

Recognizing the need to reduce import dependence and improve the country’s energy security combined with the need to move away from fossil fuels in the longer run, special efforts were made by Government of India to increase the supply of energy from renewable energy sources. Towards achieving the target, creation of mass skilled and trained man power in various facets of the sector is the need of the hour. One of the Charters of NIWE is to provide training and empower scientists and technologists with adequate domain knowledge and relevant skills. Ministry of Renewable Energy and NIWE recognize training and skill development in wind energy sector as an important grass root activity. To address the human resource development issue, NIWE is already extending its training support to various stakeholders on all the areas of wind energy technology. To highlight, NIWE has so far conducted 58 National and 47 International Training courses since 2004 and trained over 3000 professionals from 102 countries. With this vast experience and its pre-eminent position, NIWE has all the needed expertiseand infrastructure to undertake such an important task.

MNRE has assigned NIWE as the nodal agency to implement “Vayumitra Skill Development Program (VSDP)” in nine (9) windy states. The objective of the programme is to create skilled workforce for the Indian wind energy sector so as to achieve the Government of India targets. In the first phase, the following three major areas / job levels were identified namely (1) O&M Electrical & Instrumentation Technician – WPP, (2) O&M Mechanical Technician – WPP and (3) Site Surveyor – WPP based on the discussions and demand of the wind industry. The proposed "VSDP" is designed in line with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India.

The programme envisages training of 5734 out of which 5010 Participants through Training of Participants (TOP) programme (1830 participants in O&M Mechanical Technician, 1830 trainees in O&M Electrical Technician and 1350 trainees in Site Surveyor). The TOP programme will be conducted at the identified Training Partners located close to Wind Farms of nine (9) windy states, namely Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala. To train the participants through the identified institutions, NIWE will train 690 Trainers (345 participants from the institutes and 345 participants from the wind industry) through 12 days Training of Trainers (TOT) programmes. Both the TOP and TOT programme will be assessed by qualified Assessors from Sector Skill Council (Skill Council for Green Jobs) and NIWE will conduct Orientation Programme to 34 Assessors through Orientation to Assessors (OTA) programme of 7 days.


Training partner

The institute/ training partner for VSDP will be selected by floating ‘Expression of Interest’ from reputed institutes/ Universities/ Engineering/ Polytechnic/ ITI Colleges as Training partners for imparting "Vayumitra Skill Development Programme". The institutes will be chosen in the vicinity of existing wind farms and wind power potential locations. The selected institute/ training partner shall conduct training for the three (3) identified NSQF aligned job roles in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the NSDC. All the TCs will be required to undergo the Centre accreditation and affiliation process as defined in Guidelines for Accreditation & Affiliation.

The TP will ensure that the center is equipped with Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) with RD compliance and IP based camera in the training room and labs. The TP will provide the URL of IP camera so that the training program may be monitored from NIWE/MNRE office at any point of time. The availability of internet service shall be ensured by the TP. The TP will keep the recording and images of IP camera for all the batches.

The TP has to do mobilization for participants through camps, newspaper, website and social media advertisements. A transparent mechanism of selection of trainees should be adopted and proof should be included with the completion report.

The TP has to upload the following information on the portal: https://vsdp.niwe.res.in (at least a week before the commencement of the program): (a) Valid center affiliation certificate issued by NSDC. (b) Trainer certificate for each Qualification Pack issued by NSDC. (c) Photos of classroom, laboratories, equipment and tool kit as per Annexure-1. (d) URL of IP camera installed at classroom and laboratories. (e) Participant details (restricted to maximum of 30 numbers).

The TP has to ensure that out of the 200 hours assigned for each QP (O&M Mechanical & O&M Electrical), a minimum of 100 hours should be assigned for industry experts and the remaining is to be assigned for internal faculty. Similarly, for the 120 hours assigned for QP (Site Survey), a minimum of 60 hours should be assigned for industry experts and vice-versa. Otherwise, no claim will be entertained towards head local conveyances for external faculties for lectures and practical sessions.

The TP has to ensure a minimum attendance of 70% presence per participant during each batch and the participant who has less attendance will not be eligible for evaluation and will lead to deduction in the payment.

The TP has to ensure the fulfilment of norms issued by M/o Home Affairs, M/o Health and Family Welfare, M/o Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, State govt. & local administration regarding Covid-19 safety measure orders issued from time to time in this regard. NIWE will not be liable if any violation of norms is found and no funds will be released in such cases.

The TP has to ensure the employment (both wage and self) of at least 70% of the successful certified trainees within three months of completion of training, with at least 50% of the participants passing out being placed in wage employment.

Before starting any fresh program, the TP has to ensure that it has the necessary approval for the program. The cost of such program, which has not been approved by NIWE, shall be borne by the TP themselves. NIWE will not be liable to release fund for any such program.

The TP having the training center should have a valid affiliation certificate / LOR from the NSDC (through Skill India Portal) for each Training Centre to conduct the training.


Training of Trainer

The institute/ training partner and trainers will be selected from the areas in and around wind farms/ wind power potential locations. NIWE in collaboration with the experts from wind industry will conduct the Training of Trainers (TOT) with 50% trainers from the wind industry and 50% trainer will also be chosen from the partner institute that has been selected to conduct training for participants. The main aim of TOT is “Technical Instruction & Pedagogy”. NIWE will conduct orientation programme for 12 days for the trainers.

Selection Criteria of Training of Trainers (ToT)
  1. O&M Electrical & Instrumentation Technician -Wind Power Plant (SGJ/Q 1503) - Diploma + 3 years of relevant industry experience or B.Tech / B.E + 2 years of relevant academic/industry experience
  2. O&M Mechanical Technician - Wind Power Plant (SGJ/Q 1502) - Diploma + 3 years of relevant industry experience or B.Tech / B.E + 2 years of relevant academic/industry experience
  3. Site Surveyor - Wind Power Plant(SGJ/Q 1202) - B.Tech / B.E (Electrical/Mechanical/Civil/ Electronics and communication/Control & Instrumentation + 5 years of relevant industry experience or M.E/ M.Tech (Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation, Renewable Energy) + 3 years of relevant academic/industry experience

ROLE OF A TRAINER

In order to have standardization as a quality assurance mechanism, a trained trainer is expected to perform following activities:

  1. Ability to make lesson plans and deliver classroom and practical training. Also, understands training delivery plan and curriculum for the relevant job role
  2. Communicates the learning objectives, session’s topic, and relevance to participants at the beginning of the session & summarize the sessions with energy.
  3. Assesses learner’s progression and the effectiveness of learning materials, and adjust their teaching accordingly through written records of internal/ formative assessment
  4. Ability to engage students in learning activities which include a mix of different methodologies such as project based work, team work, and practical workplace simulations
  5. Ability to organize skills demonstrations, site visits and presentations for students in cooperation with enterprises and other workplaces
  6. Have processes to identify the level of learners in the class and provide assistance to weaker students where needed.
  7. Conducts baseline/diagnostic assessments to understand the gaps in students learning abilities.
  8. Cater to different learning styles and to candidates with different level of ability
  9. Provide learners with support they need to assess their own learning needs and goals
  10. Ensure required support to learners to develop the skills needed to make them ready for the workplace/industry

Training of Participants

The first Phase of “Vayumitra Skill Development Program (VSDP)” envisages training of 5010 Participants during the period from 2021-22 to 2023-24 through Training of Participants (TOP) programme. The participants will be trained in the following three major areas / job levels approved by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India namely, (1) O&M Electrical & Instrumentation Technician – WPP, (2) O&M Mechanical Technician – WPP and (3) Site Surveyor – WPP based on the discussions and demand of the wind industry. The total number of participants proposed to be trained is 1830 participants in O&M Mechanical Technician, 1830 trainees in O&M Electrical Technician and 1350 trainees in Site Surveyor.

The TOP programme will be conducted at the identified Training Partners (TP) located close to Wind Farms of nine (9) windy states, namely Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala. To train the participants through the identified institutions, NIWE will train 690 Trainers (345 participants from the institutes and 345 participants from the wind industry) through 23 numbers of 12 days Training of Trainers (TOT) programmes. Both the TOP and TOT programme will be assessed by qualified Assessors from Sector Skill Council (Skill Council for Green Jobs) and NIWE will conduct Orientation Programme to 34 Assessors through Orientation to Assessors (OTA) programme of 7 days.

The candidates meeting the educational qualification as per the Qualification Pack will be shortlisted and selected for intensive training / skill development at the identified institutes spread across the 9 windy States of the country. Special emphasis shall be given to the persons coming from rural background, unemployed youth, women, SC / ST / OBC / EWS candidates from the regions which are in the vicinity of the existing wind farms / wind potential sites. The candidates would be provided boarding and lodging facilities wherever necessary at the training centre by the Training partners. At the end of the course, proper assessment shall be made and certificates shall be issued by NSDC / MSDE, Government of India. NIWE through a Committee shall facilitate in networking the meritorious candidates and the wind industry for broadening their placement opportunities.

The below are Qualifications Pack - Occupational Standards and Model Curriculum selected for the VSDP.


ASSESSORS & ORIENTATION TO ASSESSORS (OTA):

Brief Job Description:The assessor assesses candidates in an area of subject matter expertise in a range of contexts on occupational standards. They co-ordinate with the assessing body, training provider or client organization to ensure smooth and timely completion of work.
Personal Attributes: The individual must have expertise in the technical/vocational domain in which assessment is taking place. They must have strong communication, organizational and interpersonal skills. They must have sharp observation skills, be quality focused and well-organized at work. Additionally, they should remain abreast with the latest trends in their domain and upgrade their assessment related skills.

ROLE OF AN ASSESSOR

In order to have standardization as a quality assurance mechanism, a trained assessor is expected to perform following activities:

  1. Check and ensure the venue and physical resources meet the requirements in accordance with NIWE instructions.
  2. Ensure the identity of each candidate is confirmed.
  3. Ensure each candidate receives instructions to carry out the assessment activities appropriately.
  4. Assessors completes the required records of their assessment judgements
  5. Only authorized individuals are present during the assessment process
  6. Maintain security of assessment throughout.

NIWE in collaboration with the experts from wind industry will conduct orientation program to Assessors for 5-days (in two batches), which is dedicated for the assessors in the skill eco-system as stipulated. The assessors play a crucial role in the assessing the candidates/ trainees by following various industry methodologies/ tools. NIWE shall also engage Assessment agencies (AAs) empaneled by SSCs or the successor National Board for Skill Certification (NBSC). Assessors who are already enlisted in NSDC under other domains shall be considered for the orientation programme, however, the assessor should have basic knowledge on RE technologies especially Wind turbine technology.