In a move aimed at enhancing technical competence and keeping pace with rapid technological advancements, the Public Works Department (PWD) has unveiled its Annual Training Calendar for officers and officials. The calendar was officially launched in Shimla today by Secretary, PWD, Abhishek Jain.
Speaking at the launch, Jain emphasized the growing need to equip officers with modern engineering tools and knowledge to meet today’s infrastructure challenges. “With fast-evolving technologies, it is essential that our officers stay updated with the latest in construction, design, and management practices,” he said.
According to the new schedule, all officers from the level of Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) and above will undergo structured annual training. The calendar integrates both in-service skill development and capacity-building modules aimed at preparing officers for higher responsibilities.
Specialized training will be conducted in collaboration with premier institutions such as IITs, NITs, CRRI Delhi, Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (Noida), and HIPA, focusing on diverse areas including:
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Road safety and sustainable infrastructure
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Green building technologies
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E-governance and project management
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Use of advanced materials and construction methods
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GIS-based planning, drone surveys, and BIM (Building Information Modelling)
In a notable policy step, mandatory training has been introduced for officers seeking promotions — from Junior Engineers to SDOs and from SDOs to Executive Engineers. Additionally, training sessions will be held at zonal offices, covering all PWD wings including Electrical, Mechanical, and Architectural divisions.
The department plans to train over 400 senior officers in the first phase, combining both external institutional training and custom in-house modules, developed in partnership with reputed technical bodies.
Jain credited CM Sukhu for the vision behind this initiative. “This forward-looking framework aligns with the Chief Minister’s focus on innovation, capacity building, and modern governance. It will significantly improve PWD’s efficiency, accountability, and infrastructure delivery,” he added.
Prominent PWD officials including Engineer-in-Chief N.P. Singh, Engineer-in-Chief (Projects) Capt. S.P. Jagota, Special Secretary Harbans Singh Brascon, and Additional Secretary Surjit Rathore, along with other senior officers, were present at the event.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
