PROJECT TITLE: Skill Development Training & Employment Creation Programme in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana State, India.

ABOUT PROJECT AREA:
Telangana & Andhra Pradesh analysis of Population Census 2011 has increased by 10.98% in this decade compared (2001-2011). The density of AP & TS states in the current decade is 796 per sq mile. Both States have a population of approximately 8.46 Crores. The population of AP & TS is 84,580,777. The density of states is 308 per sq km. Both States are spread over 275,045 Sq Km in India. 46 Districts will be covered under this project.

PROJECT SUMMARY AND PROBLEM STATEMENT:
The project targets village people whose major occupation is agriculture and agricultural labor, mainly dependent on agricultural income, labor, unskilled workers, and migrant labor. These people are earning meager income based on rainfall, irrigation canal water flow, and available workdays. A primary study was conducted by the FF team who visited backward regions in both states to study the problems of the village people to better understand village agriculture and socio-economic conditions. Through interaction with farmers, village sarpanch, and women SHGs, information was gathered about farmers’ problems, local resources, and cropping patterns. Major problems in the agricultural sector include water scarcity, low wages, lack of education and health facilities. These village households have good cattle resources that could be used to produce biogas for cooking needs, compost for agriculture to reduce cultivation costs and protect soil health. Farmers are unorganized, lack know-how to maximize productivity on small land patches, have limited access to credit, face distress sale, and are exploited by middlemen due to a lack of market knowledge and bargaining power. The high rate of distress migration, frequent health problems, and lack of education contribute to financial backwardness and health issues. Poverty statistics show that the benefits of economic growth are not reaching large sections of the population. The richest 20% of the population enjoy 41.6%, the middle class 20% receives 8.9%, and the remaining 40% poor enjoy 49.5% of the national income. 21% of the population is undernourished, 16% have no access to drinking water, and 30% of children are underweight at birth.

Considering the above village situation, the goal is to improve the employable skills sector through technology dissemination, education infrastructure, and integrated development programs. The aim is to provide competent and skill-certified manpower to the labor market. The candidates may either be trained under various Skill Development Initiative schemes designed by the Government of India or under any Skill Development Missions. Being skilled will help candidates secure better employment opportunities, thereby improving their economic conditions.

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION:
Staff members of the organization identified various problems in association with community-based organizations by using various participatory tools, and surveys as mentioned below:

• 80% of the people are below the poverty line.
• Livelihood insecurity and lack of alternative livelihood opportunities.
• Majority of women are landless and daily laborers.
• Low literacy levels in urban and rural areas.

ABOUT SKILL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING:
The Skill Development initiative in India aims to create employment opportunities for unemployed youth (both men and women). The goal is to empower the youth of the country with skills that make them more employable and productive in their work environment. India today has 65% of its youth in the working age group. The only way to leverage this demographic advantage is through skill development, enabling personal and national economic growth.

The skill sector offers courses across 40 sectors, aligned with both industry standards and the National Skill Qualification Framework. These courses focus on practical work delivery and enhance technical expertise, preparing candidates for employment from day one, without the need for additional training.

For the first time since India’s independence, a Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Ministry has been formed to focus on enhancing youth employability. The skill ecosystem is witnessing significant reforms and policy interventions that are preparing India’s youth for both domestic and international job opportunities. Skill development centers with state-of-the-art infrastructure and technology are supporting this initiative across the country.

India’s ITI ecosystem has been integrated into Skill India for improved vocational education and training. The Ministry has also introduced reforms to the Apprentices Act of 1961, giving the private sector greater control to maintain industry standards. The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) was launched in August 2016 to promote apprenticeships, and financial benefits are provided by the Government of India to support this model. The skill sector’s global engagement is actively promoting opportunities for youth in international markets.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT:
The main objective is to provide training and connect unemployed rural youth, particularly those below the poverty line, with industries for better employment opportunities, while supplying skilled and trained professionals to meet the demands of various industries. The key areas of focus for the training include:

• To provide vocational training to school leavers, existing workers, ITI graduates, etc., to improve employability by utilizing available infrastructure.
• To build capacity in the development of competency standards, course curricula, learning material, and assessment standards in the country.
• To provide skill development training to women and youth from BPL families to improve income levels and create employment and self-employment opportunities.
• To reduce the workload on women and children, allowing more time for education and personal activities.
• To encourage collective thinking and efforts, through sangham, for sustainable livelihood improvement, local leadership development, and gender equity.
• To foster integrated development of urban, rural, and tribal communities for improved living conditions.
• To provide basic education to children and youth, along with vocational/skill development training as a self-supportive measure in urban areas.
• To enhance income through employment and self-employment development for the betterment of poor families and empowerment of women.
• To make women self-sufficient by providing continued support to trained women.

WORK PLAN:

METHODOLOGY:
The project will employ a two-pronged approach:

1. Raising awareness (IEC) about the training programs and conducting training.
2. Ensuring employability alongside the relevant industry.

India is a predominantly agro-based economy, and a significant portion of the population still resides in rural areas. However, the country has seen rapid growth in its industrial sector in recent years, contributing greatly to the national economy. Industrial and service sectors have become the major contributors to GDP, and training in rural areas is crucial for linking rural populations to the growing demand for skilled workers. A large portion of India’s workforce is in the unorganized sector, and there is a need to train people for both organized and unorganized sectors.

The training program will focus on vocational skill building in sectors where alternative livelihood opportunities are identified. The project will target youth and women in rural areas who are currently working in agriculture or other unskilled labor jobs.

SKILL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING (10 Sectors):
The project will focus on training youths in the following sectors to improve employment and entrepreneurship:

1. Beauty & Wellness Skills
2. Designing and Manufacturing of Artificial Jewellery
3. Electrical & Electronic Gadget Repair
4. Hand Embroidery
5. Mobile Phone Hardware Repair Technician
6. Computer Hardware and Networking
7. Agriculture Sector Skills
8. Apparel & Handicraft Skills
9. Construction – Painter and Decorator
10. Healthcare

TARGET GROUP:
Two youth (1 male, 1 female) in the age group of 18-35 years will be selected from each village for one batch. They should meet the following criteria:

• Passed at least 8th standard.
• Local inhabitant of the village.
• Willing to attend the entire training program.
• Below the poverty line.

SELECTION OF BENEFICIARIES:
NGOs will undertake the following initiatives for selecting rural youth:

• Contacting middle and high schools in the selected block.
• Field workers will prepare a list of local youth through household surveys in the target area.

MARKET POTENTIAL:
Global demand for eco-friendly products, including paper products like plates and cups, is expected to grow, and this project aims to tap into that demand by training rural youth in industries like manufacturing and agriculture.

BENEFITS EXPECTED:

• Increase in income for poor farmers, agricultural laborers, youth, and women through skill development.
• Improvement in household incomes, leading to better living conditions for BPL families through livelihood and entrepreneurship activities.

OUTCOME OF INTERVENTIONS: The expected outcomes of this intervention include:

• Enhanced skills and employability for rural youth, increasing access to employment and self-employment opportunities.
• Empowerment of women and youth in BPL families through skill development and training programs.
• Improved income levels and livelihood opportunities for rural communities.