Last updated: December 10th, 2019 5:38 PM

Seekho aur Kamao

India is transitioning into a knowledge-based economy and its competitive edge over the rest of the world will be determined by the abilities of its people to create, use and share knowledge more effectively. India’s transition will require the development of workers into ”knowledge workers” who will be more analytical, flexible, adaptable and multi-skilled. The National Productivity Council which is a body of the Ministry of Commerce has established and maintained the “Seekho aur Kamao” scheme. The Ministry of Minority Affairs has proposed to continue the "Seekho aur Kamao" as a new 100% Central Sector Scheme for "Skill Development of Minorities".

Objectives

• To reduce levels of unemployment rate of minorities during the 14th Finance Commission.
• To update and conserve modern and traditional skills of minorities and establish their linkages with the job and job opportunity market.
• To improve the probability of employment of school dropouts, existing workers, etc. and ensure their placement.
• To generate better means of livelihood for marginalized minorities.
• To avail opportunities in the growing and upgrading market.

To develop all potential human resource for the country.

Scope of the Scheme

The Seekho aur Kamao scheme aims at upgrading the skills of the minority youths in various traditional/modern vocations depending upon the present economic trends, their educational qualification, and the market potential, which can get them suitable employment or make them appropriately skilled to go for self-employment. Ministry of Minority Affairs will conduct skill development programme and courses which are NSQF compliant for new projects. The scheme is expected to impart training for Modern trades for which the training must be aligned to National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) and Training partner having affiliation and accreditation through SMART Portal of NSDC will be the PIAs for Seekho aur Kamao. The pattern of funding and course will include a majority of traditional skills that are being practised by the minority communities e.g. Chikankari, Embroidery, Zardosi, Gem and Jewellery, patchwork, Weaving, Leather goods, Wooden works, Brass metal works, Carpet, Glasswares, etc. On one hand, this would help to conserve the traditional arts and crafts that are practised by minorities and empower the minority communities to avail opportunities and face the market challenges.

Eligibility

This scheme will be implemented following through Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs):

1. Societies of the Union Territory (UT) Administrations/State Governments registered under Societies Registration Act. These Societies may be constituted at either District level or State/UT level depending upon the size of the State/UT. The Societies are expected to be responsible for identifying the employment potential and employment opportunities in their respective State/UT and the training institution, sponsoring of minority candidates, monitoring their training and placement. These societies should be training partner having SMART Affiliated and Accredited Training Centres (TCs) or must be willing to get their training centre accredited and officiated through SMART Portal of NSDC for undertaking any training aligned to NSQF.
2. Any private registered/recognized professional institution conducting such skill development courses for at least for three years with established market linkages and placement record and fulfilling any other criteria laid down by the Ministry.
3. An association of industries or any industry like CII, ASSOCHAM, FICCI etc. which are willing to run such ‘skill up-gradation training centres’ as per the pre-set financial norms of the scheme with a proper plan of placements.
4. Any institution of State/Central Governments including Training institutes of State/Central Governments and Public Sector Undertakings including Panchayati Raj Training institutions.
5. Any Civil Societies (CS) or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) which fulfils the requirements stated by the Ministry.

Eligible Trainees/Beneficiaries

• The trainee should belong to any minority community.
• The trainee should be between the years of age 14 and 45.
• The minimum qualification of a trainee should be at least till 5th standard
• In case the ‘reserved categories’ as prescribed under this scheme remain vacant then these vacant seats may be treated as unreserved.

Duration of the Project and its Components

• The total duration of projects that are under the 'Seekho aur Kamao' programme would be coextensive with the 14^th Finance Commission ending on 31st March, 2020.
• The duration of each training programme for courses needs to be NSQF Compliant and approved by the Sector Skill Council and for modern skills shall be as per the common norms of MSDE
• The duration of each programme for traditional skills will be up to a maximum of I year duration depending on the trade/skill. The program would include the formation of Producer companies/Self Help Groups (SHGs).

Components of the Scheme

• This scheme will be implemented for the benefit of mainly the Six notified minority communities under the National Commission for Minorities Act 1992 which includes Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Parsis, Buddhists, and Jains. However, in case some other minority communities notified by their respective UT/State Governments exist, they may also be considered for the programme/scheme but they will not occupy more than 5% of the total seats.
• These implementing organizations are also expected to establish linkages with placement services, and for those candidates that are interested in self-employment after availing the training, the organization is also expected to arrange easy microloans/finance for them through National Minority Development Finance Corporation (NMDFC), financial institutions, banks, etc.
• A minimum of 33% of seats will be reserved for minority girl/women candidates.
• Priority will be given to organizations which would guarantee 75% overall placement and out of that at least 50% placement should be in the organised sector.
• The scheme would have two components:
  • Placement linked skills training program for Modern Trades.
  • Skills Training Program for Traditional Trades/Crafts/Art Forms.

Placement linked Skills Training Programme for Modern trades

1. The training programmes are set as per the courses approved by NSDC or any other Agency prescribed by the NSDC.
2. The training programme must include basic IT training, soft skills training, basic English training and other skill as per the need decided by MOMA.
3. Each participant shall undergo a training based on their capability and aptitude to be selected from the options of sector-specific Vocational Skills Program that are made available under this Programme.
4. The skills training must be compliant with NSDC guidelines and must focus on industry readiness.
5. The courses should be based on Common Norms and must be compliant with NSQF guidelines of the ‘Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship’.

Skills Training Programme for Traditional Trades

The Skill Training Programme has to be supported by the following activities to ensure that the desired employment outcome is achieved amongst the trainees.

1. Collectivization and Identification of the youth who are involved in traditional trades into Producer companies/Self Help Groups (SHGs).
2. Provision of skills training to youth in order to enhance their skills levels which would enable the SHG to develop a market-oriented production model.
3. Assisting in the process of development of business plan proposal for submission to various financial institutions including National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC).
4. Assisting in the process of hiring the management team for the Producer companies/Self Help Groups (SHGs).
5. These programmes are to be a minimum of 2 months duration and a maximum of 1 year depending upon the selected trade/skill.
6. The skill training must be compliant with NSQF guidelines and must focus on industry readiness.
7. The trainees will be linked with UID/Aadhaar Number, if available or any other Government recognized identification number.
8. The organization should ensure the residential facilities are done appropriately for the outstation trainees that are enrolled in the institute.
9. The training institutes will be meant for trainees belonging to minority communities, but to promote inter-community solidarity, 15% of candidates belonging to BPL families of non-minority communities may also be considered. In addition, for disabled persons belonging to minority communities, 2.5% will also be reserved.
10. The organization should have sufficient/adequate number of classrooms, toilets, demonstration facilities, and infrastructure etc. for conducting the quality training. The Centre should be affiliated/accredited/approved by NSDC to run the training programme.

Pattern of Funding

• The entire/complete cost of the approved projects as per the prescribed financial norms would be borne by the Ministry.
• An incentive which equals an amount of 5% of the project cost will be payable to PIA's which successfully complete the project on time while meeting all conditions including placements.
• The cost for the placement linked skills training programme per beneficiary shall be as per the ‘Common Norms of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship’. In addition to the above, the following costs will be admissible:

1. 1. A monthly stipend for local Non-residential trainee is Rs.2,000 per month and Residential trainee is Rs.1,000 per month.
   2. Post Placement Support (PPS) to all placed candidates would be available at Rs.2,000 per month for two months after their placement.
   3. Monthly remuneration to faculty/supporting staff etc.
   4. Other Training Costs may include Testing and certification fees.
   5. Cost to Organization for Non-residential program will be Rs.10,000 per month per trainee and for Residential program will be Rs.13,000 per month per trainee which includes as follows:

• • • Boarding/Lodging of outstation beneficiary - Rs.2,000 per month.
    • The outstation beneficiary is also entitled for a monthly stipend - Rs.1,000 per month
    • The monthly stipend for local Non-residential trainees would be Rs.2,000 per month.
    • Rs.2000 per trainee for procurement of raw material etc. as a one-time cost.

In the event of Ministry of Minority Affairs entering into an MOU with NSDC then the above-mentioned norms may undergo a change.