Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Electronics & IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar virtually launched a pilot project on Tuesday for upskilling cane and bamboo artisans of Nagaland under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), a component of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).
The objective of the initiative is to upskill local weavers and artisans to enhance their productivity through RPL assessment and certification in traditional handicrafts and aims to target over 4,000 craftsmen and artisans.
The upskilling project under RPL is expected to improve competencies of unorganised workforce. The artisans and weavers will be aligned with standardised National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF). It will provide access to existing artisans and weavers to sustain their livelihoods and enhance their skills and technical knowledge. The initiative will add value to the traditional handicrafts through Upskilling Bridge Module through Government of India certification.
Under the initiative, each batch shall run for 12 days with 12 hours orientation and 60 hours Bridge Module. Further, after the orientation programme along with the Bridge Module, the artisans and weavers shall be certified with RPL Type-1. The training delivery partners for the upskilling initiative are Cane Concept and Handloom Naga.
Launching the initiative, Chandrasekhar said traditional techniques of craft and artwork were a significant part of India’s rich heritage and there was an urgent need to preserve these skills.
He said that it was the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to create the right synergies and build infrastructure for the country’s youth.
He said it was an article of faith for Modi that the future of India would be defined by the efforts, energy and success of the youth population, including the 4,100 artisans who would be trained in Dimapur.
He mentioned that he became aware of the region’s potential during his travel to Nagaland, which prompted the Skill Development & Entrepreneurship ministry to come up with this programme in a bid to meet the economic aspirations of local youth and take them on the path of development.
The project will be implemented in different phases, including selection of artisans and weavers, training of trainers (ToT) and upskilling of artisans and weavers through RPL with Bridge Module. The artisans and weavers will be selected from the traditional crafts clusters of Nagaland. The selection will be made on the basis of existing experience of candidates. The trainers will be selected either from the existing database or a ToT programme will be conducted for the existing artisans and weavers from the proposed clusters.
The artisans and weavers will be trained in innovative and upgraded techniques of making handmade products. Post training, all the artisans and weavers will work in micro units that are set up in their respective clusters. During this time, the beneficiaries will be encouraged to participate actively in external deliberation so that at the final stage they are able to manage market linkages on their own.
National Skill Development Corporation, the nodal implementation agency for the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and supported by Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Skill Council (HCSSC), will monitor the day-to-day progress of the project. The project aims at achieving learning outcomes, including entrepreneurship development, digital literacy, communication skills at workplace and development of sales, and marketing skills.
It will also be backed by industry participation, which is vital for the successful implementation of the project and the ongoing support. The industry will be supporting in areas like training of 150 trainers, infrastructure, providing raw material and promotion of crafts in domestic and international markets. This was stated in a press release.