Bhubaneswar, July 10: Odisha’s skilled drivers have achieved remarkable success in securing employment opportunities in overseas. As many as 30 drivers from Odisha will soon be employed in Japan at a higher salaries with benefits.
Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena felicitated the successful drivers in a ceremony held at Kharavel Bhavan on Wednesday.
Earlier, employment arrangements were made through various prestigious companies within the state and the country. Now, the State has gone further to create job opportunities abroad for its drivers.
These drivers will be employed in Japan with high salaries and benefits. Odisha is the first state in the country to create such innovative employment opportunities for its drivers. In the first phase, 30 drivers from Odisha have been selected to avail the opportunity to work in Japan. This recruitment process was conducted by the Japanese delegation and Navis HR. From the State Government’s Heavy Vehicle Training Center, 180 drivers participated in the selection process.
Before heading to Japan, these drivers will undergo training at Bengaluru on Japanese language, culture, and regulations. Their passports and visas will also be arranged. The total expenditure per driver for this procprocess Rs 2.3 lakh.
The State Transport Authority regularly takes various measures in the field of road safety. To reduce road accidents and enhance driver skills, the department is implementing the SuVahak Scheme. Under this scheme, there are heavy vehicle training centers at four locations in the state, operated through public-private partnerships. These centers offer free training, accommodation, meals, and driving license preparation for the successful trainees.
Additionally, successful trainees receive a stipend of Rs 3,000 after completing 30 days of training. The centers are equipped with modern training facilities, trainers, driving tracks, AC classrooms, and hostel facilities. Daily yoga, exercise, and library facilities are also provided to keep the trainees physically and mentally fit. Not only new trainees, but also previously licensed drivers are offered a three-day refresher course to improve their skills.
Due to the involvement of heavy vehicles in many accidents, such steps were taken to enhance the skills of heavy vehicle drivers. The first training center was established in 2011 at Chhatia in Jajpur district, followed by centers in Palur in Ganjam district, Keonjhar and Bonai in Sundargarh district.
Proposals for another two institutions in the state are underway. So far, 4488 drivers have received heavy vehicle training under this scheme, and 21,964 drivers have undergone refresher training. Successful trainees are consistently provided with employment opportunities. To date, 1254 drivers have been placed in various companies. Women have also demonstrated their skills in this employment field. The state has now achieved new success in providing overseas employment opportunities, said Minister Jena.
At the event, senior departmental officials, including Principal Secretary Usha Padhee and Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, were present. The drivers expressed their gratitude to the Odisha government for providing such opportunities.
