Volvo CE’s Operator Champion contest for India saw Bheemappa K S bag the title.
Story by:
Bhargav TS
Bheemappa K S from Karnataka was judged the winner of Volvo CE’s Operator Champion contest for India. The event is an endeavour by Volvo CE to choose the best equipment operator, and highlight the importance of skill development in the construction equipment industry. Volvo has been present in India for quite some time now. It has invested in a construction and earth moving equipment manufacturing facility at Bangalore in India, Aware of the need to develop as well as have skilled manpower to operate construction and earth moving equipment, Volvo CE, as part of its focus on efficient operation of equipment has been conducting the Operator Champion contest the world over. An effort to highlight the fact that the equipment it makes feature highly ergonomic cabs and advanced and intuitive operating technology, the company, in India, held the Operator Champion contest in India for the first time, recently. The inaugural event was held at Bangalore, and played out on the belief that any machine is only as effective as the person operating it. With stress on the creation of good operating environment and systems, and higher productivity, the contest saw Narendra Singh from Rajasthan receiving the runner-up prize. Announced Dimitrov Krishnan, Vice President and Head, Volvo CE India, that the Operator Champion contest received excellent response from the industry. “We are celebrating the tremendous value equipment operators bring to the construction and mining industry. It is necessary to celebrate their role in nation-building”.
Through the Operator Champion contest, Volvo CE India, connected with numerous equipment operators in India. The company connected with their networks in India with an aim to promote, and propagate a thought that the work that they are doing is important. Said Krishnan, “Our aim with the programme has been to make the operators realise the importance of the role they play, and the need to improve their competence as well as confidence.” “In the case of winners, we hope the prize money will change their life,” he mentioned. Pointing at the challenges faced by the country in terms of infrastructure development, Krishnan expressed that it is essential to focus on skill development in order to meet the ambitious targets set. “The men and women that sit at the controls of our equipment have the power to deliver a real change. This is something that we should celebrate as a nation,” he quipped. A three day event, the Operator champion contest got the winners from nine regional beats in the country down to Bangalore for the Indian final. Marking the achievement of a milestone with work starting 18 months ago, the event at Bangalore saw a host of VIPs attend. Present among the important people in the industry was Gaurav Kapoor, Head – Industry Partnership & CSR at SCC Engagements, which is part of the National Skill Development Corporation. His presence reflected on the rising focus on skill development in the country.
On the first day of the finals the attendees were recognised for their achievements, and taken on a tour of the Volvo CE plant at Peenya and Hosakote. On the second day, two rounds of the competition were held at the Hosakote Customer Centre. Each participant was tested for speed, dexterity, logical thinking and more. Operators were subjected to carrying out operations on both, the equipment and simulators. The equipment included and excavator and a wheel loader. On the final day, the operators took part in the final round of competition. The results were announced later in the day. Attended by 100 people, including Volvo CE senior leaders, government officials, construction contractors and Volvo dealer representatives, the event saw the winner, Bheemappa K S, receive a prize money of Rupees five-lakh. The runner up received a prize money of Rupees two-lakh.
