BASF India and National Academy of Construction (NAC) have joined hands to launch skill development programmes and improve the employability of youth across the construction industry.

BASF India has signed a MoU with the National Academy of Construction (NAC), a vocational training institution established by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, India to launch a joint programme to upskill the workforce and increase mobility and employability across the construction industry. The programme will also promote the advantages of construction chemical solutions, which help increase the durability, improve resource efficiency and ensure climate protection.

´Improving sustainability in the construction industry in India requires a highly trained and knowledge-based workforce. Together with the extensive reach of NAC, BASF endeavours to boost the development of the construction industry by sharing knowledge on technologies, products and expertise with industry practitioners,´ said Dr. Raman Ramachandran, Chairman, BASF Companies in India ´ Head South Asia. NAC is represented on the National Council for Vocational Training for one term. It has eight constituent units covering all sectors of the construction industry and has an experienced in-house faculty of 750 personnel as well as visiting faculty.

´The programme aims to enhance professionalism in the construction industry by improving the knowledge and ability of construction workers, engineers, contractors, managers and supervisors.´, said P K Agarwal, Director General of NAC.

Upen Patel, Business Director, Construction Chemicals, BASF, said, ´In addition to enhancing the competency of the industry workstaff, the strategic partnership will offer an ideal platform for us to strengthen existing awareness about the varied benefits and advantages of using BASF´s broad construction chemicals product portfolio, and to improve the energy efficiency, durability and speed of construction.´ As part of the agreement, BASF will assist NAC in developing the curriculum in three broad areas: Rehabilitation and repairs of buildings; Waterproofing and use of construction chemicals in buildings, and Use of admixtures in concrete. BASF will also take part in coaching around a hundred teachers from the NAC on both the theoretical as well as the practical aspects of selection and effective usage of construction chemicals. BASF, the industry partner in the initiative, is a leading chemical company with a large portfolio of products ranging from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas.