Karkhandar Scheme For Development Of Craft Sector

A training and skilling upgradation scheme by the Department of Industries & Commerce and implemented by the Directorate of Handicraft & Handloom, Government of Jammu & Kashmir wherein passout meritorious trainees and ex-trainees from departmental training centers are identified and are provided skill upgradation training in crafts which are facing human resource crunch as well as in languishing crafts. Registered Karkhanas/Karkhandars are identified who are willing to enroll a batch of trainees and ex-trainees in their Karkhana. A minimum of five trainees for a small Karkhana and a maximum of 10 trainees for a big Karkhana. A minimum of one and a maximum of five training programs per craft shall be considered for the six-month duration of the training program. > Objectives of the Scheme: 1. Revive the languishing crafts. 2. Upscale the learning techniques of trainees. 3. Improve the wage earnings of the craftsmen by leading them into collectivization 4. Create linkages with producer organizations to inculcate entrepreneurship skills and aptitude in the trainees. > Vision of the scheme: The artisans who form the backbone of the craft sector work in an exploitative chain of business leading them to a vicious cycle of poverty and pessimism. A huge number of artisans (mostly the male folk) are forced to abandon the craft activity due to low wage earnings and poor socio-economic status. It is felt that this scheme shall emerge as one of the most effective pathways to address the challenges being faced by the artisan community. Exposing the pass-out trainees to improved productivity procedures adopted by producer groups can lead them to better productivity and leverage their collective skill up-gradation which can help in promoting sustainable livelihoods as the artisans can gain direct access to customized production, new design development, technology-related modifications, and above all can have the pulse of market demands.