To implement the PM Vishwakarma scheme, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has unveiled the initiation of the Training of Master Trainers and Assessors programme as part of the PM Vishwakarma scheme. This programme is designed to empower artisans and craftsmen within specific trades. Taking place at the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) from November 6th-10th, 2023, this five-day residential training programme aims to train 41 master trainers hailing from 10 different states, including Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh, according to an official release.
The Master Trainers Training Programme aims to equip these master trainers with contemporary technological skills and entrepreneurial knowledge. Participants will undergo training in entrepreneurial competencies, business plan development, understanding the government support system, financial literacy, digital and social media marketing, branding, and marketing. Furthermore, the master trainers will receive a modern toolkit to enhance their skills and adapt to current industry practices, the release mentioned.
“In the pursuit of building a skilled and empowered workforce, the Master Trainers and Assessors Program under PM Vishwakarma, is a significant step towards equipping our nation with the knowledge and expertise it needs. These Master Trainers, as torchbearers of knowledge and innovation, will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our country,” Atul Kumar Tiwari, secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said.
The PM Vishwakarma scheme offers several benefits, including the issuance of PM Vishwakarma certificates and ID cards, skill enhancement through skill verification, basic and advanced skill training, entrepreneurial knowledge, toolkit incentives of up to Rs 15,000, credit support of up to Rs. 3,00,000, and incentives for digital transactions. Additionally, the program will provide marketing and branding support through the National Committee of Marketing (NCM).
The primary objective of training master trainers is to enable them to effectively implement the PM Vishwakarma scheme, with a focus on improving the quality and expanding the reach of products and services created by artisans and skilled craftspeople. Their key goal is to seamlessly integrate Vishwakarmas into both domestic and global value chains. The overarching aim of this initiative is to provide comprehensive support to artisans and craftspeople, facilitating their advancement within their respective trades, as per the release.
These trainers will receive training in various aspects, including conducting engaging orientation sessions for programme beneficiaries, understanding the scope of their work and assisting participants in recognising entrepreneurial qualities through behavioral exercises and real-life case studies. Furthermore, master trainers will become familiar with a range of government support schemes that Vishwakarmas can utilise for financial assistance. They will also be trained to educate Vishwakarmas on the procedures and formalities associated with bank financing, enabling them to grasp the policies and guidelines followed by financial institutions and lending processes systematically, it added.
After the training, candidates will be assessed based on the 40 hours of basic training they have received. This assessment will cover the usage of modern tools taught during the training period, their knowledge of digital and financial literacy, branding and marketing, and self-employment modules. It will be a timed assessment that all Vishwakarmas will need to complete, it noted.