Electrical workers’ training centre in need of powering

Dimapur, Oct. 13 (EMN): The Lineman Training Centre (LMTC) located at Electrical colony in Dimapur, stated to have been set up in ‘70s, has been in bad shape. It has been “deteriorating and did not get the due importance that it deserved, which was evident by the fact that it does not have proper class rooms, equipment, manpower and faculty, nor even a proper training manual.”

For instance, as one official lamented, utilities are now moving toward preventive maintenance “while we are still stuck in the mode of line restoration attempts only after breakdowns.” Officials are warning that unless field staffs are trained properly, the “little knowledge” becomes dangerous in the form of accidents and poor service.

According to a press release the Dimapur division issued to the media on Sunday, the importance of skill-based training and having skilled workers, particularly in a complex and technical sector like power, had been long recognized by pioneers of the department of Power of Nagaland.

Therefore, the press release stated, the department felt the need to adequately train the department’s field workers in line construction and in operation and maintenance at the training centre.

“Set up since the 1970s (or earlier), the LMTC of Power department could be one of the earliest in-house departmental training centres in the state,” the department stated.

“However, over the years mainly due to fund constraints, it unfortunately was deteriorating and did not get the due importance that it deserved, which was evident by the fact that it does not have proper class rooms, equipment, manpower and faculty, nor even a proper training manual.”

The technical and commercial complexity of the power sector is increasing almost exponentially, but the LMTC has been unable to keep pace to meeting emerging challenges, the department said.

The Power department has ‘decided to revamp’ the LMTC, starting with the design and publication of its first training manual, “LMTC Training Manual, first edition 2019,” running into about 528 pages, and grouped into two volumes, the updates stated.

G Chishi, engineer-in-chief for Power released this training manual in the presence of officers and staff on October 12 at the LMTC, the updates stated.

Speaking during the event, an official KK Awomi quipped that in the power sector, utilities are now moving toward preventive maintenance “while we are still stuck in the mode of line restoration attempts only after breakdowns.”

Awomi expressed optimism that through proper training, the Power department should also now try to move towards preventive maintenance mechanisms.

Another official Shikato, observed that training at the LMTC used to be “taken more seriously but over the years it had deteriorated due to our own weakness.” It is now time to rejuvenate the centre, he said.

‘When staffs are sent for training, they should not see it as a punishment but rather the facility and the quality of the training should be such that they should look forward to be sent there for training,’ he said, while advising that the physical infrastructure of the LMTC be improved.

Further, another power official B Tiameren, quoted the saying “little knowledge is dangerous.” Unless field staffs are trained properly, they would be unable to function effectively, but rather, the “little knowledge” becomes dangerous in the form of accidents and poor service, he warned.

‘As technology is also changing fast especially in Information Technology, the department should also keep pace with proper training, and LMTC should also be equipped to provide IT training.’

The president of the field workers in Dimapur, Ghonito Chishi, stated that about 50% of the field staffs were untrained.

‘Due to shortage of field staffs, many divisional engineers were unwilling to spare them to be sent for training. But he wished that all field staffs should be given yearly refresher course trainings,’ the press release stated.

Penrithung Yanthan of an electrical engineers’ organisation, said that lack of skills and knowledge lead to ‘poor motivation’ and poor service, the way it is being experienced today. The department thus needs good training and learning facility, the official said.

“The LMTC should not be a mere Centre, but should have the equipment and facility to become an Institute. He said that it should be the policy of the department that every one of its employee should be trained.”

All Power entry employees to be trained

The engineer-in-chief, G Chishi, is stated to have said that now all fresh recruits from junior engineers to field staff shall now be trained as a departmental policy. Work charge staff shall not be regularized unless they possess the LMTC certificate, the updates stated.

“Over the years LMTC rather than getting built up, was deteriorating due to lack of funds as there was no budgeted head for trainings and LMTC. But he assured that all efforts shall be made to change this scenario,” the press release quoted him as having said.

“He challenged all officers to have a positive attitude and to try and contribute in a positive manner for the department and in public service. He had earlier directed all working divisions to make some resource contribution towards LMTC development to create awareness within the department of the importance of training and of LMTC.”

The head of the LMTC, Moa Aier, also highlighted that among the many issues confronting the power sector in the state, work safety was one key issue.

‘Commercial issues are also now becoming more critical. Unless training, updated training and regular refresher courses are conducted, the Power department would not be able to deliver proper services,’ the gathering was told.

The official proposed that the LMTC should be strengthened and upgraded to ‘Nagaland power training institute’ where not only field workers but all officers, ministerial staff and all other categories of staffs would be trained.