USTTAD Scheme

The Ministry of Minority Affairs has proposed the Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development (USTTAD) scheme to promote the heritage of traditional arts and crafts of minorities. This scheme was mainly developed with the object of training and upgrading skills of artisans belonging to the minority communities, thereby preserving traditional ancestral arts/crafts being practised by them. In this article, we look at the USTTAD scheme in detail.

Objective of the Scheme

The objectives of the USTTAD scheme are listed below:

To build the capacity of craftsmen and artisans through training of young generation.
To set up standards for identified crafts, crafts and their documentation.
To preserve the heritage of the traditional arts and crafts of minorities.
To generate linkages of traditional skills with the global market.
To increase the employability of existing workers, school dropouts etc.
To create a better livelihood for marginalised minorities.
To empower minorities to avail opportunities in the global market.
To ensure the dignity of labour.
To showcase traditional arts and craft skills, including culinary skills through the exhibition, which also provide a platform to enlarge business opportunity.

Scope of the Scheme

The scheme aims at capacity building and upgrading the skills of traditional craftsmen and artisans. These trained craftsmen and artisan will train the youth belonging to the minority community in various specific traditional arts and crafts. Under USTTAD, the Skill Development Programme will be conducted by the Ministry of Minority for all-important traditional arts and crafts being practised by the minority community.

Eligibility Criteria for Trainee

The following are the eligibility criteria required for the trainee to participate under the scheme.

The applicant should belong to the minority community.
The applicant age group should be between 14 to 35 years of age.
The applicant should have passed at least a 5th standard.

Eligibility Criteria for PIA

The scheme will be implemented through the Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs), which are selected based on the following criteria:

Any societies registered under the Societies Registration Act and having experience of conducting traditional skill development courses.
Any recognised private institution is conducting such traditional skill development courses for at least three years.
Any association of industries like ASSOCHAM, CII, FICCI etc. who are willing to run such training centres is eligible to apply for the scheme.
Any institution of Governments including training institutes, universities and public sector undertakings having the capacity to conduct such training programme is eligible to apply for the scheme.

Pattern of Funding

The subsidy amount of 2% of the project cost will be provided to the implementing agencies after completion of the project. The cost of various components of the course are as follows:

S.No	Particulars	Quantum of Assistance
1.	Capacity building of artisans, craftsmen and their orientation.	Rs.10000 per trainee for non-residential programme and Rs.13000 per trainee for the residential programme.
2.	Lease or rental expenses including tables, chairs, water, generator, computers, workstations etc.,
3.	Tea, lunch and local travel expenses during the course of training
4.	Orientation of craftsmen or Artisans
5.	Training expenses including raw material, learning kit, assessment and certification.
6.	Remuneration to each craftsman or artisan	Rs.3000/- per trainee will be provided on a monthly basis.

Implementation of the Scheme

The scheme will be implemented for promotion of traditional arts and crafts which are being practised by minority community notified under the National Commission for Minorities Act.
The implementing agencies will select trainers who have experience in the field of traditional art and craft.
The implementing agency will conduct an exhibition to spread awareness about traditional arts or crafts.
The implementing agency will develop a course module with selected knowledge partners and master trainers.
The implementing agency will arrange a certificate from the partners and agencies registered with Sectoral Export Promotion Councils, etc.
The implementing agency will arrange microfinance or loans for trained youths through financial institutions, banks, National Minority Development Finance Corporation (NMDFC) for self-employment.
The implementing agency will organise a training programme with supporting activities are as follows:
Identification of trainer and their capacity building and up-gradation of traditional skill.
Identification of youth interested in traditional trades into Producer companies or Self Help Groups (SHGs) containing twenty members.
To enable youth to learn traditional skills and the SHG to develop a market-oriented production model.
To assist SHG in the development of the business plan proposal to various financial institutions, including National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC).
To assist SHG in the hiring of a management team for the producer company or SHG.
This programme mainly focuses on learning of traditional arts and crafts with access to funds and income enhancement for the deprived minority families.

Duration of the Course

The duration of the training will be for a minimum of two months and a maximum of one year based upon the selected traditional art or craft. The course would include training on soft skills, IT, Spoken English depending upon the level of trainees.

Release of Funds

Upon approval of a project, the funds will be released in three instalments. The funds will be issued directly to the implementing agency through direct benefit transfer. First Installment: To the extent of 40% of the project, the cost will be disbursed after the approval of the project and entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between parties. Second Installment: To the extent of 40% of the project cost will be disbursed subject to the compliance with the following:

On utilisation of 60% of the first instalment along with audited utilisation certificate.
On submission of year-wise

Third Installment: To the extent of 20% of the project cost will be released upon the following conditions:

Copy of project completion report.
Copy of audited utilisation certificate.
Details of trained candidates self-employed in the prescribed format.
Details of Self Help Groups or placements done in the prescribed format.

Application Procedure

The Ministry of Minority will invite proposal for USTTAD scheme through an advertisement in newspaper and official portal of the Ministry. The proposals will be verified by the Committee of the Ministry based on criteria for enrollment of implementing agency. The concerned authority of Ministry may verify and approve the credentials of the organisations.