Prahlad Kakkar to train technicians as part of Maharashtra’s skill development program

As a part of its skills development programme, Maharashtra government has decided to rope in renowned Adman Prahlad Kakkar, whose academy will provide training to technicians required in the broadcasting industry and help them get placed.

Reportedly, the skills development (SD) department has decided to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Kakkar under which ‘Prahlad Kakkar School of Branding and Entrepreneurship’ will issue diplomas to candidates who complete the training successfully.

Currently, technicians like cameramen, light men, sound recordists, video editors, makeup artists, crane operators, set designers work on a daily contract basis with the production houses.

After having a couple of meeting with Kakkar, the government officials will take a final call in a meeting scheduled for today, August 29.

On the development, Deepak Kapoor, principal secretary, SD department, said, “The basic purpose of this initiative is to provide employment to these technicians, who are not formally trained. Training with Mr Kakkar will allow them to build a portfolio, which they can use to find a job in the industry. It will surely improve their income levels. We hope to train about 2,000 technicians in a year.”

“Kakkar has been talking with Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor and Subhash Ghai whose productions houses will give employment to the trained sound recorders, technicians and other skilled artists in their firms. Bollywood is a fascinating sector but it is the most unorganised sector. Besides, it has huge potential to generate employment,” Kapoor told a leading daily.

The training will be completely focused on job oriented development, which in turn will help them earn more money and increase the production quality.

While speaking to Asian Age about the initiative, Kakkar said, “A lot of technicians in the film industry do not have formal training. There is also no establishment in the country to offer training to these people. The state government’s skills development programme will help them get training in an organised way.”

“We will be giving candidates six months’ crash training at our institute and at Whistling Woods on various disciplines. During the course, the candidates will be trained on how to handle various equipment such as cameras, cranes, lights and so on. There is a great demand for these jobs in the film industry,” he added.

The government will reportedly spend Rs 30 per hour training each assistant.