L&T-ECC operates in 220 sites in India and abroad and employs directly 7,600 people. There are over 9,000 departmental workers with whom the company has to deal with.

According to the company's general manager (plant and human resources) S Chandrasekar, ``the unique nature of the construction industry and the strong need to integrate its people led the HRD department of L&T-ECC to device innovative methods to tackle the various functions and activities involving even the line people.''

The policy of the HRD department is to provide the vital business advantage of human resources to L&T-ECC by recruiting qualified, skilled and competentworkforce, inspiring confidence, collaboration and trust among them and upgrading their skills by training to meet the needs and challenges of the organisation, he said.

The major activities of the HRD department include sourcing or recruiting, sustenance, development and organsiational development. In order to ensure the availability of skilled manpower, the company has designed `the L&T Build India Scholarship' programme in collaboration with IIT Chennai and Delhi. It is for a tailor-made, user-oriented M.TEch programme of 18 months in cosntruction technology and management.

To train people in trades like masons and carpenters a technical training school has been established in Chennai in collaboration with Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), UK and Henry Boot Ltd, UK. Chandrasekar said similar institutions will be set up in other regions also.

Similarly to take care of the over Rs 500 crore construction machinery of L&T-ECC, specialised training schools have been set up in Chennai, Mumbaiand Calcutta.

Special rewards and insurance, medical, residential and educational facilities are being provided to the employees to motivate them and encourage them to take risks and work in difficult conditions, he added.