Traditional Training Subcomponent

Key objectives of the scheme under this sub-component are as follows:

Training and capacity building of traditional artisans / master crafts persons, and safeguarding and showcasing the local cultural and Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of the minority communities, which shall be undertaken through the following three routes as described below:

• NSQF-aligned training in need-based arts/ craft job roles.

• Customized Workshops for improving market linkages and livelihoods of local communities.

• Preservation of cultural heritage of traditional and languishing art and craft forms including ICH.

NSQF-aligned training in need-based arts/ craft job roles: The tradition of knowledge transfer within the artisan communities has been instrumental in sustenance of traditional arts and crafts in India. To promote further skill development and training of minority artisans engaged in the traditional arts/craft forms, NSQF-aligned trainings shall be undertaken through this component. Wherever NSQF aligned job roles/ course modules, suited for the minority artisans are not available, efforts shall be made to develop the same in collaboration with Awarding Bodies (ABs).

Customized Workshops for improving market linkages and livelihoods of local communities: Dedicated workshops in need-based courses developed by Knowledge Partners and other reputed local organizations, shall be conducted which may include: training on market linkages, e-commerce on-boarding, financial literacy, product development and design, packaging, quality control, export management, etc. Content curriculum for these courses shall be customised as per the requirements and aspirations of the local community by leveraging the technical expertise of the Knowledge Partners of MoMA and/or any other body empanelled by MoMA. 

Preservation of cultural heritage of traditional and languishing art and craft forms including ICH:

• Preservation and propagation of literature/ documents, physical infrastructure, promotion of calligraphy, manuscripts, documentation (inc. digital) of oral traditions and art forms

• Documenting (inc. digital), preserving and propagating the traditional cultural practices/ ICH of local communities/ artists by attracting tourism and making it a community-led cultural tourism destination (for e.g. nature tourism, culture tourism and GI tourism), facilitating cross-cultural knowledge exchanges/ capacity building workshops for enhancing community’s livelihood by showcasing local culture as an enabler of development to enhance cultural visibility. • Strive for facilitating access to GI tags wherever possible.

Facilitating business opportunities by: 

• Minority community specific events/ ‘Parvs’:

o Supporting minority craft persons in showcasing and marketing their products and/or local traditional cuisine and ICH.

o Facilitating buyer-seller meets, promoting inter-community solidarity, and cultural exchanges. 

o Striving to improve the quality of local products in sync with ‘vocal for local’ campaign. Enhancing the visibility of local art, artists (including ICH) and their communities by promoting tourism (including sustainable, eco & religious tourism) and local economy.

o The Ministry shall issue separate instructions/ guidelines specifying the cost norms for such events/ Parvs.

• By facilitating financial support in the form of loan/ credit from NMDFC or other banking / non-banking institutions,

• By promoting formation of individual/ group enterprises for livelihood generation. Creating entrepreneurial opportunities out of showcasing the culture shall also be encouraged by various means such as connecting these locations work with M/o Tourism and M/o Home Affairs (VVP) to connect these areas to the main tourism circuits.

Non-Traditional Skilling Subcomponent

This sub-component is envisioned to primarily benefit youth from the minority communities. This sub-component will focus on placement-linked, NSQF aligned training to the beneficiaries in all key sectors of the economy also including handicrafts, tourism, hospitality, agriculture, handlooms, food processing and other allied sectors. 

The skilling shall be conducted in NSQF compliant job roles and may additionally include training in soft skills such as digital and financial literacy, communication and storytelling, English language, etc. Key objectives of this sub-component are as follows:

• Imparting NSQF compliant skilling to minority communities in NCVET approved courses, with standards and norms as notified by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (including Common Cost Norms), to the extent possible.

• Placement of at least 75 percent skilled beneficiaries in some form of employment (wage/ self-employment/ apprenticeship), of which at least 50 percent should be placed in organized sector, as categorised in the NSQF/ CCN.

• Many people from minority communities depend on income from agriculture, construction, and other allied sectors as secondary sources of income, which are highly informal and have a higher potential for self-employment and entrepreneurship avenues. The placement of beneficiaries trained in such unorganized sectors may be allowed up to 100% self-employment. Separate instructions shall be issued by this Ministry for eligibility and compliance in this regard, depending upon case-to-case basis.