Paper Title
Electricity Distribution Sector – Training Need Analysis: A Case of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited

Abstract
Trained manpower is required at every stage due to rapid advancement of technology. The technical knowledge acquired from engineering colleges, polytechnics, industrial training institutes and technical institutes needs to be supplemented with applied engineering and managerial skills. These skills are to be regularly updated to cope with the ever progressing and rapidly advancing technologies being introduced in the power sector where the speed of obsolescence often overtakes the pace of acquisition of a particular skill. Due to introduction of more sophisticated technology and automation, the man/ MW ratio is declining. This indicates the increasing importance of each individual, which in turn makes manpower quality criteria more demanding. Power Sector reforms in India have gained momentum with the initiative of most of the State Government by restructuring the SEBs. The reforms are expected to change the way the Indian Electricity Supply Industry has been functioning for the few decades and therefore demands major changes in the roles of technical/managerial personnel at various levels. As power sector reforms involve a number of complex and intricate issues, the people involved will need to be equipped with specific inputs in terms of knowledge, skills and attitude to enable them to play their changed roles effectively. This research work will address the human resource challenges currently faced by MSEDCL and lays out the strategies which ultimately lead to the development of this sector and provide better quality service to the consumers as per the stipulation contained in the Electricity Act, 2003. Index Terms— Manpower, Power Sector Reforms, Technology, Training, Skills.