Please review the following points:
1. What is the first position in "non-workmen (executive cadre)" in your organization?
2. You can promote your workmen to the first-line supervisor to start with.
3. Generally, there prevails a seniority-cum-merit criteria (certain weightage to seniority, retention period in workman cadre, performance/confidential annual rating, educational qualification).
4. Can you lay down the selection process (written test + PI)?
5. After selection, it is desired that they are given some structured training to orient and groom them for the new position, especially in soft skills like supervisory development and management development.
6. You should have assessed the number of positions in your organization's chart so that you can promote your workmen accordingly.
7. The process should be fair, just, and transparent.
Regards,
Shailesh Parikh
Vadodara, Gujarat
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]