New Delhi: In an attempt to empower people of Nagaland holistically, Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Ministry of Electronics and IT have launched a pilot project for upskilling the cane and bamboo artisans of the state under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), a component of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).

The objective of this initiative is to up-skill the local weavers and artisans to enhance their productivity through RPL assessment and certification in traditional handicrafts. The project targets to up skill over 4,000 craftsmen and artisans. The upskilling project under RPL is expected to improve the competencies of the unorganized workforce existing in the geography. The artisans and weavers will be aligned with the standardized 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. Additionally, the pilot project will augment the marketing skills and techniques, promoting traditional and local crafts of cane and bamboo artisans. 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. 

The project will be implemented in different phases including selection of artisans and weavers, Training of Trainers (ToTs), 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 based on the existing experience of these candidates. The trainers will be selected either from the existing database or a Training of Trainers (ToTs) programme will be conducted for the existing artisans and weavers from the proposed clusters. /BI/