Capacity Enhancement in Training Amid Pandemic

Challenges

C. Neelakanta ReddySenior Professor (Training), IRISET

Abstract

This article enumerates innovative solutions adoptedby IRISET in Training of S&T manpower during theunforeseen pandemic times. It brings out special fea-tures of each training course customized to hybridlearning model and consequent improvement in pa-tronage for the training courses conducted. The ar-ticle also mentions few challenges to be addressed tomake the learning process more fruitful.

Introduction

This article primarily deals with the enhancement ofcapacity to train manpower in IRISET. It is believedthat the enhancement of training capacity leads toimprovement in upkeep of the assets and the pacewith which the assets are created for the expansionof network, so the capacity enhancement in trainingleads to all round development in the organization.The unforeseen pandemic in 2020 & 2021 has thrownseveral challenges to IRISET. The institute was ableto find innovative solutions which are sustainable ona long term basis. Highlights of innovations in capac-ity enhancement of the institute are outlined below.

1 Commencement of On-lineClasses

Though the institute had the experience of conduct-ing virtual classes with the trainees at Zonal S&TTraining Schools, the institute had never conductedon-line classes for the trainees staying in the Hostelsor individual locations in the past. The institutewas closed for physical classes from 20.03.2020 whena section of probationers had stayed in the OfficersRest House (ORH) in Bengaluru during their visit toIndian Railways Institute of Disaster Management(IRIDM), where a Covid positive suspect also stayedin the ORH during the same time. The instituteweighed various options to conduct on-line classes

till a beginning was made on 01.04.2020 to conductfirst ever on-line class on Zoom Platform for IRSSEProbationers stranded in the Institute. Severalplatforms like Zoom, WebEx, Microsoft Teams,Google Meet etc. were tried out in the initial phase.Good number of experiments were conducted amongthe faculty to acquaint themselves with variousfeatures of virtual platform. The institute wassuccessful in ensuring the participation of seniorexecutives working on Railways who were techsavvy and eager to experience the virtual platform,in delivering guest lectures. The days of nationalimportance like 16th April when the first railwaytrain was run on Indian Soil from Boribunder (nowChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Mumbai)to Tannah (Thane), were selected to deliver guestlectures by eminent personalities to instill sense ofpride among the dignitaries and trainees.

A committee was formed under the chairmanshipof Dean with Senior Professor (Training) and Se-nior Professor (Telecom) as members to formulatethe modalities for conduct of on-line classes in theinstitute in regular fashion. The committee maderecommendations on the responsibilities of differentagencies to organize on-line classes, management ofthe group of trainees during the conduct of classesand exploring various features available on virtualplatforms like polling, white board, chart featuresetc. to make on-line learning more attractive. Theexperience gained during the initial phase helpedthe faculty to deliver on-line classes from residenceswhen the institute was closed during lockdown. Thesame on-line class environment was also replicatedfor transmission of physical classes to the trainees inisolation in hostels in subsequent stages of operatingthe institute. The institute supplied 51 hearing aidswith built in microphone to the faculty to help themdeliver quality content. With the strong foundationslaid for on-line classes coupled with reskilling of thefaculty, the institute had taken many initiatives inattracting large number of trainees for the trainingprogrammes conducted during the pandemic times.

2 Introduction of BlendedLearning for MandatoryTraining Courses

Even though the institute was closed for physicalclass room sessions, the institute could not afford tostop training process as there was large demand fortraining of in-service supervisors in Signal & Tele-com streams performing the safety duties to com-plete their Refresher Courses at the periodicity ofonce in four years. Sensing the need to continue thetraining process, two committees were nominated tofinalize the modalities of blended learning for a spec-trum of trainees ranging from Technicians to Officers.The committee consisting of Senior Professor (Sig-nal), Senior Professor (Telecom) & Senior Professor(Training) had made recommendations on blendedmodel of learning for training courses of supervisorsand officers. Another committee consisting of Train-ing Managers of Central, South Central and West-ern Railways along with Senior Professor (Training)finalized the modalities of blended model of train-ing for Technicians. The on-line classes are aimedfor imparting inputs on basics of signaling & Tele-com subjects to the trainees who are in service orthose under close monitoring of Officers / Supervi-sors in the field units. The on-campus training is pro-posed for all other categories of trainees who have nothad opportunity for exposure on working systems fortraining on fault diagnostics, deeper analysis, designand evaluation etc. The reports of the committeeswere approved by Railway Board in December, 2020.Every training course covered under blended learningalso has special features enumerated in the successiveparagraphs.

3 Issue of E-Refresher Certifi-cates after Completion of on-line Component of RefresherCourses

It was decided to conduct 03 weeks of RefresherCourse training for Signal & Telecom Supervisors(out of total duration of 04 weeks) through on-linemeans, evaluate them through one to one viva-vocesessions arranged on virtual platforms and issue pro-visional E-Refresher Certificates valid for one year af-ter successful evaluation. This measure helped to liq-uidate large number of arrears of Refresher Coursesduring the year 2020. The institute had subsequentlyused Moodle platform for objective evaluation of the

trainees in place of viva-voce. The provisional E-Refresher Certificates are made available on IRISETTrainee Management System (ITMS) portal to en-able the trainees to download them sitting at theirlocations. An event on virtual platform was orga-nized on 04.07.2020 to present the first E-RefresherCertificate to Ms Sangeetha M Justin, Jr. Engi-neer (Signal), Allepy in Thiruvananthapuram Di-vision of Southern Railway attended by Member(S&T), Railway Board; General Managers / South-ern & South Central Railway; Director Generals /NAIR & IRISET and Principal Executive Director(T & MPP), Railway Board. The same concept isapplied to Refresher Courses of Technicians also byrespective Zonal S&T Training Schools.

Figure 1: News coverage on issue of E-Refresher Cer-tificate

4 Flexi Timings of On-line In-tegration Courses

In general, it is difficult to get Group B Officersfor Integration Courses in Signal to Telecom andTelecom to Signal streams due to the engagementof these officers in important duties in Zonal Rail-ways. The institute organized on-line classes dur-ing the Forenoon Sessions of the day leaving thetrainee officers free from training in the Afternoons.This enabled the Zonal Railways to utilize their ser-vices effectively. As a result, good number of officer

trainees was imparted Integration Courses trainingin the years 2020 and 2021.

5 Group Facilities for Trainingof Apprentice JEs

The organization has seen large scale recruitment ofApp. JEs/SSEs (Signal, Design & Telecom) throughRRBs and these trainees reported to Zonal Railwaysfor commencement of training. The innovative ideaconceived to conduct the training of large numberof App. JEs/SSEs is the introduction of the conceptof group facilities (skill centre) and mentorship ofnodal SSE. The group facilities are located in thepremises of Railways like Zonal/ Divisional TrainingCentre, Divisional Office, Sub-Divisional office,Depot of SSE etc where audio visual systems aremade available by Zonal Railways to enable smallgroups of trainees participate in the on-line classesconducted by IRISET.

These locations are expected to have reliable powersupply and robust network bandwidth. Each traineeis allotted a mentor who is nodal SSE of the ZonalRailway. He will take care of the logistics, audiovisual aids of the group facility, clear the primarydoubts of the trainees, ensure exposure of traineesto field working after the classes and oversee Covidappropriate behavior among the trainees at hislocation.

The institute had arranged day-long continuoussessions two days prior to commencement of actualtraining to get the nodal SSEs acquainted withthe virtual platform practices in on-line learning.The top management of training institute had alsointeracted with the nodal SSEs (mentors) to identify“Way ahead” to ensure hassle free training throughgroup facility locations. The nodal SSEs are allottedfolders in Google Drive to upload weekly attendanceof their trainees.Since the same group facility is re-quired to be used by different target group trainees,such as JE / Signal, JE/Telecom, JE/ Design,Promoted JE/Signal, Promoted JE/Telecom etc.the institute had resorted to staggered time-tables toensure utilization of same facility by different groups.

As a result, the faculty of the institute had to takeadditional work load to work in extended hours be-yond regular office working. The institute had alsotaken the responsibility of dispatch of hard copies ofIRISET notes to around 1100 trainees spread overdifferent divisions of Zonal Railways through train

parcel services, coordinating with individual Rail-ways effectively.

Figure 2: Group Facility at Bilaspur on South EastCentral Railway

6 Commencement of PhysicalClasses in the month of De-cember, 2020

Government of India had laid down several proto-cols for functioning of training institutes from timeto time. The institute had followed all the stipu-lations of these protocols in letter and spirit. Thetrainees reporting to the institute were asked to bringRTPCR test certificate showing negative result forCovid 19. The trainees were isolated during the ini-tial two weeks of their reporting at the institute inindividual rooms. The hostel authorities had madearrangements to supply food to the trainees in theirrooms throughout the duration of isolation. Thetrainees were given thermometers and pulse oxime-ters for monitoring their parameters. Medical Ad-vice from doctors of South Central Railway was ar-ranged for the symptomatic trainees. The institutehad mandated recording of the status of the individ-ual on Arogya Setu app in the CCTV cameras kept atthe entry locations of the buildings in the institute.The Audio Visual systems available in the Institutewere predominantly used for sensitization of the in-mates of the institute on the precautions to be takento prevent spread of Covid 19. Sports & Culturalfacilities were restricted during this period, to avoidtrainees moving in large groups. Restrictions wereimposed on the movement of trainees outside thecampus. Screening of temperature of all trainees,faculty and staff was made compulsory while theyenter the institute. Entry of visitors was restricted.Sensor based sanitizer dispensers were provided atconspicuous locations in the institute as well as hos-tels. Sensor based taps were provided in the hostelmess and wash rooms. Dish warmers were procuredto sanitize the cutlery before use by trainees.

The institute had taken swift action to make ar-

Figure 3: Recording status on Arogya Setu throughsurveillance camera

rangements of spacious class rooms with adequatephysical distance, in the class room environment.Laboratory spaces were re-organised to make ar-rangements for such spacious class rooms. The class-rooms are equipped with multiple displays and inter-active writing panels so that the faculty’s work on thewriting panel is available to all the trainees throughmultiple displays. The public address system in theclass rooms is suitably augmented. The timings ofmess and time-table for physical classes are staggeredto prevent congregation of large number of trainees.This warranted the faculty to work in extended hoursbeyond the normal duty hours. The faculty & staffin the institute were also re-located to alternate lo-cations to ensure adequate physical distance, withthe work stations shifted to the new locations. Theinstitute had used 20 VPN connections to enable theofficers and staff work from home during the severepandemic scenario. A close watch was kept on theCovid positive cases in the campus and immediateaction was taken for sanitization of the premises asper the extant instructions. The trainees were sen-sitized in every class on precautions to be taken tocontain the spread of pandemic.

Figure 4: New spacious classroom with physical dis-tancing

7 Close Liaison with MedicalAuthorities

Protocol decided by Medical authorities of SouthCentral Railway mandated visits of medical teamheaded by a Doctor on the first day of arrival oftrainees to test them physically for any symptoms.The trainees with symptoms were sent for medicalexamination to the Railway Hospital. A vehicle wasmade available 24/7 at the disposal of trainees for en-abling them reach hospital in shortest possible time.The close proximity of Central Hospital, Lallagudawithin a distance of 2 km is an added advantage forthe Institute to handle the pandemic scenario effec-tively. The pandemic period has seen hospitalizationof three trainees in Central Hospital, Lallaguda forCovid-19 complications. The active support of med-ical authorities of South Central Railway has alsohelped the institute to vaccinate its employees andtrainees extensively. In addition to getting vacci-nated in the community facilities arranged by SouthCentral Railway in the vicinity of the institute, theinstitute also arranged vaccination camps within theinstitute’s campus on 04 occasions exclusively forthe faculty, staff and trainees. Approximately 500trainees were vaccinated in these camps. The vacci-nation facility was also extended to the outsourcedstaff working in the Institute.

8 Digital Initiatives in Training

The institute shifted its working to E-office com-pletely during the pandemic. Initiatives like issueof e-passes were undertaken in proactive way. Vari-ous features of ITMS portal are explored to minimizethe physical transfer of files and enhance interactionwith the trainees. Features like Trainee registration,placing of request for hostel, transport, availability ofcertificate in the website etc were extensively used.Learning resources were upgraded and made avail-able on the ITMS portal for access by trainees. Oneterra byte capacity server space was hired from RCILand common shared digital repository was created toenable all Zonal S&T training schools and TrainingManagers upload their learning resources to ensureoptimum utilization of such resources by all stakeholders. The resources included Power Point Presen-tations, Demonstration Videos, Question Banks andother reading material. Java based web applicationsfor on-line monitoring of Field Training diaries ofIRSSE Probationers and monitoring of action takenon the feedback received from on-campus traineeswere put in place to improve the accountability.

9 Overcoming the ChallengesPosed during 2nd Wave ofthe Pandemic

The 2nd wave of the pandemic was quite severe andthe number of covid 19 positive cases across the coun-try was on a rise. During this time, the institute wasexpected to call the trainees of Refresher Courses andPromoted JEs (selected under 20% LDCE quota) tothe campus to complete their on-campus training.Since the situation is not conducive, new modalitieswere decided for these training courses. In respect ofRefresher Courses, it was decided to make the litera-ture and demonstration videos of practicals availableon the website for access by all trainees. The facultyof the institute could develop 57 videos demonstrat-ing practical sessions. Also practical doubt clearancesessions were arranged for 4 weeks through virtualplatform to enable the trainees to clear their doubtspertaining to a particular laboratory on a nominatedday of the week from the faculty of IRISET. This fa-cility was used by trainees of Refresher courses, pro-moted JE courses (Intermediate courses) and facultyof Zonal S&T training schools. Subsequently, thesubjective examinations for Refresher Courses andPromoted JE courses were conducted in the premisesof Zonal Railways in association with the nodal ex-amination officers nominated in each division. Thequestion papers were sent one hour before the com-mencement of examination through electronic meansto the nominated nodal officer. After the conductof examination duly ensuring Covid protocols, theDivision sent the answer sheets in sealed covers toIRISET through speed post or courier. The evalua-tion was done and results were declared by IRISET.Supplementary examinations were also conducted forRefresher Courses to benefit the trainees who couldnot write examinations in the first instance. Re-fresher Course examinations were conducted for 1115Signal supervisors and 690 Telecom supervisors atone go in this fashion. In case of Promoted JEs,training of theory portion through on-line means istaken care by IRISET leaving the responsibility ofpractical exposure of trainees to the Zonal Railwaysin their training schools. Zonal Railways were alsoadvised to take up the responsibility of guiding thepromoted JE trainees in carrying out the projectworks.

There was flexibility and dynamism in taking variousdecisions in conducting the training courses duringthe pandemic in order to maintain the momentumin spite of the adverse circumstances. The decisionslike enhancement of on-line component of training,

Figure 5: Conduct of Examinations at Deen DayalUpadhyaya Jn on East Central Railway

pre-ponement of on-line training courses, postpone-ment of on campus courses and increased coverageof general subjects in on-line component have gone along way in managing the situation during 2nd waveof pandemic. The trainees of the institute had strongfaith in the management of the Institute and obeyedthe discipline meticulously. Greater flexibility is ex-ercised to plan training courses with an aim to com-plete mandatory training of large number of new re-cruits in shortest possible time.

10 Statistics Showing En-hanced Capacity

The comparative figures indicating the enhancementof training capacity in 2020 and 2021 is evident fromthe figures below.

Figure 6: Table

(* The figures up to October 2021 are consideredin 2021 calendar year.) The figures in parenthesisindicate relative improvement over the previousperiod.

The Institute had several important achievementsduring the period in spite of the challenges posedby the pandemic. The institute had trained highestnumber of trainees with an all-time high of 18,587trainee days during the month of September, 2020in the history of the Institute when the Institute hadtrained large number of Apprentice trainees. The in-stitute had trained highest number of trainees in a

year- 6517 in 2020 and had completed the year 2020with 82,742 (+ 38.51%) training man days (or traineedays), which is the highest in the history of the In-stitute. IRISET has become the first CTI (Central-ized Training Institute) on Indian Railways to com-plete one Lakh trainee days in a calendar year on03.09.2021 with around four months left over in theyear. As on 31.10.2021, the institute has registered1,24,832 trainee days in the current year. Inciden-tally, this institute operates with lowest expenditureamong all CTIs on Indian Railways. The Institute

Figure 7: Newspaper clipping on achieving one lakhtrainee days

had also imparted online training to the executives ofDFCCIL and RVNL in these difficult times. The In-stitute had played the role of aggregator in impartingtraining to executives of Kochi Metro Rail Limited(KMRL) and Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL)on RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainabilityand Safety) courses by liaisoning with the subjectexperts in the industry. The institute has earnedRs. 1.2 Cr and Rs. 1.4 Cr through this training inthe year 2020 and 2021 respectively. The efforts ofthe institute accounted for saving to the tune of Rs.15.4 Cr towards TA expenses alone in respect of thetrainees.

11 Challenges Ahead

The institute had under taken on-line training in abig manner, but the quality of training as perceivedby a section of trainees in online classes is a matterof concern. There is an urgent need to address theissues to improve the quality of on-line learning. TheInstitute would be working on the ways and meansto engage the trainees in intensive manner during on-line courses. At the same time, it is expected that thetrainees join on-line classes through suitable systemsavoiding mobile phones. The trainees nominated foron-line training are expected to be left exclusivelyreserved for the learning process without distractingthem for day to day routine activities of the ZonalRailways during the training period. The group fa-cility locations as a skill center is a workable idea totake learning to various corners of the country bridg-ing the digital divide effectively. There is a need tostrengthen the facilities available at such locationsand proliferate these facilities to other work centersas well. The learning resources are presently limitedto power point presentations and primitive videos.Enhancement of the quality of audio visual contentwith interactive features may go a long way in en-abling the trainee to experience improved quality oflearning. There is a need to work on quality ques-tion banks and self learning courses in future. Sincethe organization has envisaged large scale modern-ization of Signaling & Telecom systems, there is anurgent need to commence training courses in this di-rection to bring synergy among all stakeholders andto disseminate the knowledge. The limitations expe-rienced by the institute in accommodation, labora-tory facilities, classrooms and non-availability of lat-est modern technology systems in the Institute needto be addressed in the right earnest to equip ourselvesbetter for future challenges in training.

Shri C. Neelakanta Reddy,is a IRSSE Officer of 1996ESE Batch, currentlyworking as Senior Profes-sor (Training). IRISETsince 19th February, 2020.He has completed hisgraduation and post grad-uation in Engineeringfrom Sri VenkateswaraUniversity, Tirupati. Important assignments hehandled in S&T Department are Sr. DSTE andDy. CSTE (Projects), Secunderabad, lookingafter the maintenance of S&T assets on busyroutes and creation of assets for enhancement ofsafety and capacity. He also has rich experiencein General Administration wing as Dy. GeneralManager (General) and Secretary to GeneralManager in South Central Railway with firsthand exposure to people centric issues and largegroup dynamics in management of the organization.