The Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) on July 13, 2026 specifies qualifications, training, and experience requirements for instructors and trainers of Vocational Training Centres under OSHWC Rules, 2026.
The notification issued under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026 specifies detailed qualifications, training, and experience requirements for instructors and trainers at Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) in the mining sector. It applies to centres catering to Coal, Metalliferous, and Oil Mines, ensuring standardized competency for personnel responsible for training mine workers.
For instructors in mining disciplines, a minimum of five years’ relevant mining experience along with appropriate competency certificates is mandatory. Additional conditions apply for underground mining, requiring specific experience and unrestricted certifications. For oil mines, instructors must hold a relevant engineering degree or diploma with at least five years of field experience. Similarly, instructors for mechanical and electrical trades must possess relevant engineering qualifications and mining experience.
The notification mandates compulsory training for instructors, including structured modules on training skills, communication, safety, risk assessment, and technical knowledge, followed by periodic refresher training every three years. For trainers, eligibility includes minimum age requirements, relevant mining or oilfield experience, and completion of job-specific training modules, along with demonstrated aptitude for practical instruction and safety awareness.
Overall, the standard aims to enhance the quality, safety, and effectiveness of vocational training in mines by ensuring qualified and well-trained instructors and trainers, thereby strengthening workplace safety and compliance in the mining sector.
[Notification No. G.S.R. 622(E)]
