The Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC) on Tuesday, April 28, commenced a practical skill assessment for labourers. It was conducted in the ongoing construction of the multi-purpose hall at Mokokchung Village, in a move aimed at identifying and certifying skilled and unskilled workers within its jurisdiction.
A total of 47 applicants appeared for the masonry-based examination, which included four categories: bar bending and binding, layout, brick laying, and plastering.
A total of 47 applicants appeared for the masonry-based examination, which included four categories – bar bending and binding, layout, brick laying, and plastering.
According to MMC Enforcement Inspector Moasunep and Field Assistant Sentiyapang, the initiative will enable the council to issue identification cards classifying workers as skilled or unskilled.
They stated that possession of an MMC-issued ID would become essential for undertaking work within MMC jurisdiction in the future.
The practical examination was conducted with technical assistance from engineers of the Public Works Department (R&B), PWD (Housing), and the Community and Allied Departments of Works (CAWD).
Experts overseeing the evaluation said the test focused on core construction standards, including layout accuracy to avoid misalignment, brick bonding quality, mortar ratio, and plaster finishing.
Labour Inspector Lipoknungsang said the initiative would also assist the Labour Department in identifying and registering workers under the Nagaland Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board (NBOCWWB).
“The exercise will help the department identify skilled and unskilled labourers and facilitate their registration under the welfare board,” he said.
The MMC also clarified that candidates who do not perform well in oral assessment may still be considered based on practical skills, with both components being evaluated together.
The skill assessment process will continue for three days. Officials added that while plumbing, carpentry, and welding categories have undergone oral evaluation, no practical tests will be conducted for those trades.