A unique vocational training programme on brickmaking was launched in Pune (Maharashtra) for the benefit of the traditional brick manufacturing community following hand-moulding and clamp-firing methods. The programme was conducted by the author and was funded by Indo-Swiss Vocational Training Trust (ISVTT), Pune. ISVTT is a Pune-based trust promoted by SDC to support Industry Associations - especially ones from the unorganized and SSI Sectors - in providing quality vocational training to their members and workers.

Prior to designing the training programme, a brief study was made of the various brick associations functioning in Pune Urban Agglomeration Area and 'Shri Goroba Veet Utpadak Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit, Pune' was chosen for extending ISVTT support. The said association has a membership of 70 members and most of them are located in clusters on the South-Western part of Pune at Vitthalwadi, Dhayari and Narhe-Ambegaon.

The programme module was designed by Mr. Damle in consultation with ISVTT officials after conducting an exhaustive 'need-survey' and the following topics were included in the curriculum.

Sr. No.	Topic	Workplace-Cum-Lab (WCL) / Classroom-Cum-Lab (CCL)	No. of 3-hour Sessions
1	Selection and testing of raw Materials and additives	WCL & CCL	4
2	Technologies and machinery used for green brick production	CCL	6
3	Possible improvements in conventional green brick production	WCL & CCL	3
4	Cost of Production, Profitability, Project Cost and Means of Finance	CCL	2
5	BIS Specifications and tests	WCL	1
6	Brick Regulation '96 (including designs, operational practices and fixed / running costs of recommended continuous kilns)	CCL	2
7	Changes occurring in green brick during firing	WCL & CCL	1½
8	Technologies and machinery required for manufacturing fired / cured bricks from waste materials	CCL	½
9	Beliefs / Misbeliefs in brick industry vis-à-vis scientific reasoning	WCL	1
10	Market assessment and development	CCL	½
11	By-products of brick industry	CCL	½
12	Written Examination (2 hrs.) & Planning Workplace Sessions (1 hr. )	CCL	1
13	Workplace Sessions	WCL	9
Total			32

The objective of the training programme was to help entrepreneurs (1) improve their scientific understanding of the traditional brickmaking process, (2) improve the productivity and product quality of the traditional green brick production process, (3) study (by actual plant visits) and understand the techno-economics of improved / mechanized methods of brick production, (4) develop their ability in handling simple lab equipment / tools / chemicals and (5) enhance their managerial capabilities.

Of the 70-odd members, 20 members were selected for undergoing training in the 1st batch. Their average age is 37 years ( range 27 - 54 years ) and average experience in brick manufacturing is 10 years ( range 5 - 25 years ). Half of them have passed HSC and above Examinations (8 of them being Commerce / Engineering Graduates ) and the balance have passed 8th standard to SSC Examinations.

3 sessions were planned every week on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., to suit the convenience of the participants. It was decided that every participant shall contribute Rs. 2,500/- ( i.e. Rs. 50,000/- in all for 20 participants ) towards purchasing lab equipment (like electric kiln, electronic weighing balance, tools and chemicals, etc.) for the Association. Also, the Association shall arrange for a training hall at / near the brick cluster. These conditions were imposed by ISVTT to ensure proper 'stakes' of the participating members in the training programme and to strengthen the Association on a long-term basis. The administrative costs and training fees of the author - i.e. the Training Provider - were to be borne by ISVTT. The course material was to be covered in 96 man-hours ( i.e. 32 nos. 3-hour Sessions ) and the medium of instruction was Marathi. Of the 96 man-hours, 60 hours were earmarked for class-room training and 36 for lab practicals and workplace training.

The training programme was inaugurated at the hands of Mrs. Leela Poonawala ( Chairman, Alfa-Laval India Ltd. and Tetrapak India ) on 16th July '00. Dr. Arun Nigvekar ( Vice-Chanceller, Pune University ), Mr. Mauli Shirvalkar (ex-Mayor - Pune) and a number of other dignitaries were present during the inaugural programme. The need and uniqueness of the programme was emphasized by one and all during their inaugural addresses. The actual training commenced on 21st July '00 and all class-room and lab demonstration sessions were completed by October-end, including industrial exposure visit covering plants at / near Palakkad, Calicut, Kannur and Mangalore from 18th to 24th September '00. Workplace Sessions have been completed during November and April '01 as per schedule given below.

Plan of Workplace Sessions

Sr. No.	Item	Date / Period
1	Underground clay preparation pits	15-11-2000
2	Small de-airing extruder	15-11-2000
3	Pan Mill	January 2001
4	VSBK demonstration	November 2000
5	Use of temperature measuring instruments for open clamps and simple trolleys for carrying bricks	December 2000
6	Improved open clamp	December 2000

The programme was monitored very closely by ISVTT and the feedback from participants has been very encouraging. After the programme, the participants have started using their lab facilities regularly to test raw materials, fuels, green and fired bricks. This has resulted into the participants avoiding huge monetary losses, which they otherwise incur on account of usage of sub-standard materials and product breakages. The Association has started purchasing steam coal in bulk quantity and distributing it to its members against order. With this new system, the Association gets Rs. 25/- per MT as commission, while its members get quality coal and save up to Rs. 200/- per MT.

Mr. Sameer Maithel, Fellow, Tata Energy Research Institute, New Delhi, Mr. Erwin Banteli, SDC, New Delhi and Mr. Kamala Kant Pandey, Vice-President, All India Brick & Tile Manufacturers' Federation, New Delhi, visited the venue of the training programme on 3rd August '00, 12th September '00 and 24th September '00, respectively. All of them had direct interaction with the participants and expressed satisfaction over conduction of the programme.

The Valedictory Function of the Programme was held on 14th August '01 during which Certificates were distributed to the participants.