Where’s the skilled workforce?

“Since March-April the demand for technical experts and skilled workforce required to set up oxygen plants has increased manifold across the country, including in Uttar Pradesh. As the demand has gone up, the skilled workforce is scarce,” said Pankaj Kumar, president, Indian Industries Association.

“The waiting time to start a project (oxygen plant) has gone up by two-and-a-half months. Companies in the business of installing oxygen plants are flooded with orders,” said Manmohan Agarwal, senior vicepresident, IIA.

The IIA has requested the state government to set up a help desk dedicated only for oxygen plant projects and make available the latest technology for setting up these plants.

The MSMEs of Uttar Pradesh have also requested the state government to make available to them the DRDO’s latest technology relating to liquid oxygen plants.

“The DRDO has the latest technology of liquid oxygen plants. We have requested the state government to make available this technology and the required skilled workforce to us to set up plants,” said Kumar.

Most oxygen plants being installed in the state are directly sourced from companies in the business of installing oxygen plants.

“There are around seven or eight big companies that install readymade oxygen plants. These companies assemble oxygen plants on-site,” said Atul Bhushan Gupta, vice-president, IIA.

“Now, due to manifold increase in demand of Oxygen plants there is a waiting time of two-and-a-half months if you place an order today for installing a plant,” Gupta added.

“Another way to install an oxygen plant is to procure all parts and material required yourself. But only those who have full knowledge about oxygen plants can adopt this method. It is also time consuming,” said Gupta.