Dept of skill devpt will hold interviews for drivers

Mysuru: For the first time, the International Migration Centre-Karnataka (IMC-K), which is part of the department of skill development entrepreneurship and livelihood of the state government, is holding interviews for truck and bus drivers to work in two European countries.
According to the department’s district counsellor Mohith, bus drivers are required for Poland and truck drivers for Hungary.
No educational qualification is required for the candidates. Indian heavy truck licences issued before September 2009 coupled with good communication skills in English are needed, he told TOI.
According to the authorities, the driving skills of the applicants will be tested at the automated driving test track in Yelahanka, in Bengaluru, on June 20 and 21. Both men and women drivers can participate in the test. For the selected candidates, visa, air tickets are free. Selected candidates will be paid a monthly salary of Rs 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh after six months training. During the six-month training period, the candidate will get a stipend of anywhere between 50,000 to 60,000.
Meanwhile, truck owners’ association members said that for every 100 trucks, they are getting just 70 drivers as the shortage of drivers is reported across the country now.
GR Shanmukhappa, general secretary (south zone) of South India Motor Transport Association, and president of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents’ Association, said shortage of drivers is the biggest challenge facing the sector. “Here we offer a salary of Rs 35,000 a month which on the other hand is above Rs 1 lakh in other countries. We are aware of the increasing demand for our drivers in Western countries,” he added.