Delhi’s new skill scheme to turn heritage crafts into real jobs for youth: Sirsa

The Delhi government is set to launch its skill program through the Delhi Khadi and Village Industries Board (DKVIB), focusing on training unemployed youth, artisans, and people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

According to Delhi’s industries minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who chaired a review meeting regarding this on Monday, the Scheme for Skill Enhancement of Cottage Industries is nearing launch.

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Highlighting the distinct features of this scheme, Sirsa said that this Rs 50 crore skilling program focuses on training youth seeking employment, and to create jobs while keeping India’s old crafts alive.

He said the scheme aims to train over 13000 people during 2025-26, with help from partners like NSDC, NIESBUD, and NGOs, with a guarantee of 20 per cent self-employment and 50 per cent paid jobs.

It will cover courses that cover real-world skills like apparel merchandising, logistics work, IT help desk, self-employed tailoring, and Khadi fashion making.

Trainees get daily classes on AI, digital tools, marketing, and soft skills. They also get Rs 400 per month for up to five months, plus help with loans and certificates after training, he added.

Sirsa, who has working on the revival of DKVIB, emphasized the scheme’s role in honoring India’s handloom legacy, adding that, “Our government is dedicated to preserving the timeless artistry of Khadi and village industries, all while equipping our youth with tools for the future.”

He further said that the plan is to blend heritage crafts with AI and digital training, which will help the board create jobs and build a model that inspires self-reliance, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision.

Under the scheme, at least 50 per cent spots go to SC/ ST/ OBC and the EWS groups, and women. It also provides toolkits to 2,500 artisans and exposure visits to 500, while it will also enable setting up of training centers in every district across the national capital.

As per Sirsa, the scheme includes a key Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) that lasts up to 10 days, blending hands-on up-skilling with business basics to turn small crafts into thriving jobs, all based on guidelines from the Union Ministry of MSME.

This program ties in with big national plans like the PM’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and Interest Subsidy Eligibility Certification from KVIC, weaving in extra support for loans and grants, the minister added.