Training Through Established Institutions 

Objective and Methodology:

 A craftperson is as good as the skills he possess. There is a constant requirement that he acquire new skills that may help him produce better crafts or adjust to changing market demands. The programme, thus, helps artisans learn new skills and improve the ones they already have. They are trained through regular training courses run at selected institutions.

Eligible Organization for Interventions:

Recognised institutions like vocational training institutes, ITIs, and polytechnics are eligible to participate. Each such institute will train up to 200 people a year. The courses should last at least 4 weeks, and could go up to 4 months.

Financial Assistance:

Selected institutions will be financially assisted through capital and training grants. Total cost for 5 years per Institute will be maximum Rs. 1.45 crore (capital grant and training grant combined together). One time capital grant of Rs. 25 lakh will be provided for the plan period. This grant can be used for purchase of machineries, equipment, furniture and fixtures, computers and related hardware and software, books and periodicals etc.

• Handicrafts Training Program 

Objective and Methodology:

Success of an artisan depends not just on how good his crafts are, but also on how good he is as an entrepreneur. So the need is of craft skill as well as entrepreneurial abilities. We have recognised this and formulated a training programme that has two components: technical training and soft skill training.

a) Technical training: Objective and Methodology:

The programme aims to train artisans on the technical aspect of crafts, including pattern making, stencil making, talim writing, and mould making.

Duration and Participation:

The courses held at selected technical training institutes, with a batch size of at least 20 participants, have duration between four weeks to four months. The training will be of minimum 144 hours and maximum of hours. No course with less than four weeks duration will be admitted. With DC(H)’s approval, the maximum course duration can be increased by 25 percent.

Eligible Organization for Interventions:

Vocational training institutions, Industrial training Institutes, polytechnics, technical and other institutes recognized by central government/concerned state government/ universities and such other affiliating bodies.

Financial Assistance:

The assistance by DC (H) is up to Rs. 95 per trainee per hour .This will be in the form of 100% grant-in-aid.

b) Soft Skill Training: Objective and Methodology:

The programme aims to train artisans on soft skills that help them run their own enterprises successfully. This include aspects like entrepreneurship development, business plan and project formulation, micro-finance, packaging, export procedures, and documentation.

Duration and Participation:

Training is done in batches of 20 participants. Done through selected NGOs or government agencies, this could be a 12 hour programme lasting two days, up to a 72 hour programme lasting 12 days. In exceptional cases the maximum duration can be allowed to increase by 25 percent maximum with the approval of DC(H).

Eligible Organization for Interventions:

Central and State Handicrafts Corporations, COHANDS, EPCH, CEPC, NCDPD, IICT, MHSC, CDI, Apex cooperative Societies, and other eligible institutions and organizations under central and state governments,

Financial Assistance:

A maximum of Rs. 140 per trainee per hour will be provided. The assistance shall be in the form of 100% grant-in-aid by DC(H).

c) Training through Guru Shishya Parampara Objective and Methodology:

In Indian tradition, knowledge has always been transferred through the Guru-Shishya way. This training programme aims to tap that channel. Under it, master craftsmen train artisans on craft skills, on which they have some knowledge, or that are entirely new to them. This enables transfer of traditional knowledge from master craftsmen to the new generation, ensuring the sustenance of the craft.

Duration and Participation:

A batch of at least 15 participants are trained for a minimum period of 2 months. This could go up to a maximum 6 months. The training is provided by experts like Shilp Guru awardees, or national and State awardees.

Financial Assistance:

DC(H) provides a maximum assistance of Rs. 10,000 per trainee per month besides other compensations to the trainers.

d) Training the Trainers Objective and Methodology:

Learning should be a constant process for craftspersons to further master their craft as well as to remain competitive in the market. Under the programme master craftspersons and other trainers are trained on new designs, use of improved tools, and new production techniques and technologies during the programme.

Duration and Participation:

Training is done for 4 to 8 weeks in batches of 20. It should not of less than 4 weeks. For financial assistance for daily training, a maximum of 6 days a week, and 24 days a month will be considered.

Eligible Organization for Interventions:

Vocational training institutes, Industrial training Institutes, polytechnics, technical and other institutes recognized by Central Government, concerned State Government or universities or such other affiliating bodies; Other organizations that impart vocational trainings of Ministries of Central Government; Central and State Handicrafts Corporations, other institutions and organizations under central and state governments, and COHANDS, EPCH, CEPC, NCDPD, IICT, MHSC, CDI and Apex cooperative Societies.

Financial Assistance:

DC(H) provides a maximum assistance of Rs. 150 per trainee per hour as 100% grant-in-aid.

e) Design Mentorship and Apprentice Program

Objective and Methodology:

The programme seeks to connect the new generation with the world of crafts. Under the programme, final-year, graduate, or postgraduate students of institutions like NCDPD, CEPC, NIFT, NID and other reputed and recognised design institutes, and fine-arts schools are mentored in their institutes. Under the programme, a dedicated cadre of designers and merchandisers for the handicraft sector is created. It is expected that they will fill up the gap in design & product development, the biggest constraint in present handicraft sector.

Duration and Participation:

Duration and participation: It will be a 6 month programme with 50 participants.

Eligible Organization for Interventions:

NCDPD, CEPC, EPCH, IICT, MHSC, NIFT, NID and other reputed design institutes running at least a recognized degree and diploma course in designing for last three years.

Financial Assistance: The DC(H) office funds the institutions for designer fee, apprentice allowance, raw material, travel and logistics, and institutional charges and other things.