Tatsat Chronicle Magazine

Scheme For Capacity Building In The Textile Sector Operational Up To March 2024

March 4, 2023
Textile_weavers in india
Knotted up: After years of neglect, the world-famous handloom industry in eastern UP is on the verge of collapse (Photo: JORGE ROYAN I WIKI COMMONS)

The implementation of Samarth, a demand driven and placement-oriented umbrella skilling programme of Ministry of Textiles, has been extended up to March 2024. The scheme was formulated under the broad skilling policy framework adopted by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Samarth aims to incentivise and supplement the efforts of the industry in creating jobs in the organised textile and related sectors, covering the entire value chain of textiles, excluding spinning and weaving. The training programme and course curriculum have been rationalised keeping in view the technological and market demand of the domestic and international economies.

In addition to the entry-level skilling, a special provision for up-skilling and re-skilling programme has also been operationalised for improving the productivity of the existing workers in the apparel and garment manufacturing sectors. Samarth also caters to the requirement of traditional textile sector such as handloom, handicraft, silk, and jute.

The scheme is implemented through implementing partners (IPs) comprising  textile industry, industry associations, state government agencies and sectoral organisations of the Ministry of Textiles like DC Handloom, DC Handicrafts and Central Silk Board.

Samarth has been formulated with advanced features such as Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS), Training of Trainers (ToT), CCTV recording of training programme, dedicated call centre with helpline number, mobile app, web-based management information system (MIS), on-line monitoring of the training process etc. The state, district, training centre-wise information and data in dashboard available in public domain.

The major processes adopted in the implementation of scheme include training centres proposed by the implementing partners are to be physically verified through dedicated government agencies for ensuring adequacy of requisite infrastructure as per the protocol adopted for each course under the scheme.

Furthermore, a total of 184 courses aligned with National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) have been adopted under the scheme across various textile segments covering traditional sector like handloom and handicrafts to conventional sector like garment manufacturing to advanced sector like technical textiles.

In addition, end-to-end digital solution for ease of implementation and monitoring.

Employment linkage is mandated in the courses organised under the textile sector with mandatory placement 70% in entry level and 90% for up-skilling programmes. Also, a mobile app for physical verification of the training centers with geo- tagging and time stamped photographs.

Besides, third party assessment trainees and QR code enabled e-certificate has been operationalised for this purpose. Additionally, all trainers are accredited through Training of Trainers (ToT in online and offline modes) programme through due process.

Wage compensation in traditional sector courses undertaken by sectoral organisations of the ministry.

The ministry has partnered with 116 textile industries, industry associations, 12 central and state government agencies and three sectoral organisations of the ministry for undertaking training programmes under Samarth.

The scheme is operational in 28 States and six union territories of the country and caters to all sections of the society including SC, ST and other marginalised categories.  Out of the skilling target of 3.47 lakh beneficiaries allocated so far, 1.5 lakh beneficiaries have been provided training.  More than 85% of the beneficiaries trained so far under the scheme are women.  More than 70% of the beneficiaries trained in organised sector courses has been provided placement.

In order to broad base the panel of implementing partners, the ministry has invited proposals for empanelment from textile industry and industry associations related to textile sector. The portal for submission of application is open till 14.03.2023.

Details of RFP floated for the purpose may be accessed through below given links:

Ministry of Textile website:-  https://www.texmin.nic.in/coming-tender