SSI ministry on the job with training

NEW DELHI: The ministry of small-scale industries has decided to strengthen its small industries service group initiative. The move could help unemployed youth across the country by training potential entrepreneurs to set up micro and small ventures.

At present, there are just 80-90 small industries service groups across the country, indicating inadequate training facilities for unemployed youth to set up ventures. Sources in the ministry admit the inadequate number of small industries service groups impedes the growth of the sector by not doing justice to the important task of training youth.

The ministry will now increase the number of small industries service groups such that at least 500-1,000 youth are trained annually in all the 90 districts identified as key minority areas, the sources added.

The ministry, in particular, plans to target women entrepreneurs. It also wants to launch a special training programme for minorities and the backward classes. The ministry would also ensure that training pertaining to IT is imparted so potential entrepreneurs can learn from experiences across the globe.

The key component of the initiative is the entrepreneurship development programme (EDP), which familiarises youth with various aspects related to establishment of small-scale industries. The EDP training helps potential entrepreneurs prepare detailed feasibility reports as well as their appraisal, evaluation and modification, among other things.

EDPs organised by the ministry cover sectors such as herbal cosmetics, garments, hosiery, food and fruit processing, information technology, hardware maintenance, production of soap and detergents, leather products/novelties, servicing

of household electrical appliances and emerging technologies, including biotechnology. The ministry also occasionally organises motivation campaigns to identify and motivate traditional/non-traditional entrepreneurs who have the potential to set up micro and small enterprises.