Skill Training for Rural Youth (STRY)

Skill Training for Rural Youth (STRY) programme provides skill-based training to rural youth in agri-based vocational areas. The norms of the scheme are executed as per the standards mentioned by the National Policy on Skill Development and Entrepreneurship 2015, in agriculture and allied areas to develop employment in rural areas. In this article, let us take a closer look at the scheme.

Objectives

The scheme aims to

Offer modular skill training opportunities to rural youths that applies to farmers and farm-women, depending on their local needs.
Create a team of skilled human resources to perform both farm and non-farm operations.

Eligibility Criteria

Any rural youngster who is above 18 years with a minimum qualification of at least 5th standard can enrol to this training programme.

Implementation

Training institutions provide skill-based training to rural youths and develops a curriculum based on the requirements of agro-based industries seeking the involvement of specific organizations in the selection of potential candidates.
ATMA gives adequate publicity by creating awareness among the youth.
All eligible candidates have to submit their application to BTT/ATMA in the prescribed format.
Youths who are already trained have to be filtered to avoid recycling of training.
SAMETI/ATMA/BTT surveys the applications that are received from candidates considering their eligibility criteria and forwards it to the training institution after communicating it to the selected candidates.
MANAGE provides technical support to SAMETIs and facilitates the development of skill-based module or uses Qualification Packs (QPs) that is developed by the Agricultural Skill Council of India (ASCI) for different job roles.
If the States identify local need-based training areas, course curriculum can be shared with ASCI for preparation of National Occupational Standards (NOS) and QPs.
SAMETIs identifies districts and potential training institutes after consulting with the State Nodal Officer (SNO) of Extention Reforms (ATMA) for the implementation of the programme.
Training activities would be implemented through SMETIs at State Level and coordinated through ATMA at District Level.
Training to rural youths would be imparted through KVKs, NYKs, FTCs/VTIs/NTIs and other identified training institutions at the State/District level.
Director, SAMETI prepares and provides copies of the annual training calendar to the respective agencies such as ATMA, KVKs, FTC, NYK and other training institutions located in identified districts.
Institution that are selected for training has to design the course curricula according to the agricultural areas and allied sector of National Occupational Standards (NOS) and QPs that are developed by the Sector Skill Council of the concerned States or ASCI by abiding with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

Pattern of Assitance

All funds are released to MANAGE by DOE, and it is further routed to SAMETIs in states to ensure the expenditure made for training is provided through selected training institutions. MANAGE releases funds to the designated training institutes of States and ensures submission of the settlement of accounts of all training programmes to DAC&FW through SAMETI/ATMA regularly.
The State Nodal Officer/PD (ATMA) after consulting with SAMETIs, identifies training institutions within the State/District, where trainees have to be trained according to the requirements.
In every identified district, four training programmes would be organized in a year. Each programme lasts up to 7 days with 15 participants, who have to pay a fee of Rs. 400 per day. Expenditure on training module development is provided as per the provisions under ATMA that includes innovative activities.

Organization of Skill Training

A list of indicative areas would be covered under Skill Training for seven days with the allotted duration.

Course Director has to develop course an outline in advance indicating title, objectives, course content with specific relevant skills, methodology and evaluation mechanism. A photocopy of the programme schedule has to be sent to the State SNO, Project Director and ATMA for review and comments.
The course content has to be finalized considering the view of the local needs of the trainees and the demand for employable skills in the job market. The skill requirement of the local employer has to be considered, and the curriculum that is prepared has to be modified after consulting it with the participants/employer's needs. Concerning the available time and resources, the course content would be formulated and prioritized on essential, desirable and possible areas.
Every working day has to have four sessions, 90 minutes each, with a duration of at least 36 hours in 6 days.
Different skills have to be demonstrated to the trainees by using different models, audiovisual aids and equipment followed by skill-based exercises through active participation and involvement.
Training institutions ensure wage/self-employment to trained youth in liaison with district-level Agro industries within three months of completion of training and maintains a placement record.

Utilization of Training Infrastructure

Infrastructure and expertise of Extension Education Institutes (EEIs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Farm Machinery, Testing and Training Institutes (FMTTIs) are utilized for the development of demand-driven skill-based modules and conduct skill training in location-specific areas.
ASCI provides National Occupational Standards (NOS) and QPs that are developed in agriculture and allied sector and provides assistance to DAC&FW to develop new QPs as per the requirements.
In order to develop Occupational Standard and QPs, DAC&FW shares topics/indicative areas with the concerned training institutions to decide the actual duration of the training in consultation with ASCI.
The curriculum of skill training has to be developed as per the requirements of agro-based industries and also seeks the involvement of specific organizations in the selection of potential candidates.
Certain NGOs are involved in implementing skill development activities at the district level.
A specific mechanism to segregate beneficiaries trained under ATMA and skill development programmes would be developed by SAMETI and ATMA.
NTI under ACABC may be utilized as a Vocational Training Provider (VTP)/training institute for STRY.
Individuals who have been employed by established Agri ventures under ACABC would be considered for training under STRY.

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