Need assessment, objective setting and skill development of lower skilled new hires in service sector

Abstract

Indian informal sector employees more than 90% of working population. Informal service sector employees most of them. This project has evaluated the recruitment, skill development and good working condition of employees in informal service secotor. The project has been conducted at IIM Ahmedabad Mess. The results of the project indicates younger age group (18-30 years) is working at the mess. The literacy rate of employees is 96% and 42% among them have upper primary education. Different level of job requires different level of education. The recruitment is purely based on referral basis and 46% of the staff are joining the Utensil cleaning department. The average time spent in the Utensil cleaning department is 8-10 months and after this they either get promoted or leave the job. Main learning of trade happens through informal learning methods like shadowing the experienced person. The motivation for multiskilling is present in this organisation. 42% of interviewees have availed the promotion benefit. They receive knowledge about personal hygiene and food safety from their supervisor. Organisation have a control mechanism to ensure personal hygiene. All of the employees are registered with EPF and ESI facility. They get a rest of 3 hours during the shift. Their leave policy is such that they can avail leave upto 45 days in a single go or over a period of one year. The leave policy needs some attention for creating a safe working place for them.