Six days online training program: "Virasat-The Heritage Model" for Traditional Cluster Development in Assam

Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA) in association with FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) organized 6 days online training program: “Virasat-The Heritage Model” for Traditional Cluster Development from 27th January to 02nd February 2021.

This workshop was designed to enhance capacity of Young Workforce and Mid-age Workforce from Assam in operating sewing machines and generating self-employment.

During the inaugural Session, Dr. Madhu Parhar (Director, CEMCA) , Mr. Saurabh Mishra, (Programme Officer, CEMCA), Mrs. Veena Swarup (Chair, FICCI Skill Development Task Force), Dr Roopak Vasishtha (CEO & Director General, Apparel Sector Skill Council) and Mr Anand Prakash Tiwari, (IPS, Mission Director, Assam Skill Development Mission, Govt. of Assam) were present and shared their views.

During the valedictory session, Dr. Madhu Parhar (Director, CEMCA), Mr. Saurabh Mishra, (Programme Officer, CEMCA), Mr. Sumeet Gupta (ASG, FICCI), Mrs. Veena Swarup (Chair, FICCI Skill Development Task Force), Dr Roopak Vasishtha (CEO & Director General, Apparel Sector Skill Council), Mr George Mathew, (Chairman, Don Bosco Tech), Mr. Moloy bora, IAS (Commissioner & Secretary, Handloom, Textile and Sericulture Assam), Mr. Rajnish Kumar, (Chairman and Managing Director, NSFDC) were present and shared their views.

Dr Madhu Parhar in her speech appreciated the effort of FICCI and its training team for conducting such informative training program in remote areas of Assam in online mode. She further spoke on how COVID-19 made us adhere to online teaching mode for all skilling programs and how efficiently these participants in this program used their skills to develop various samples of masks, apron etc. Dr Roopak Vasishtha presented an overview of apparel entrepreneurship ecosystem and acknowledged the effort of participants in learning various stitching skills during this 6 day online program.

Mr. Moloy Bora, IAS (Commissioner & Secretary, Handloom, Textile and Sericulture Assam) in his addressing speech appreciated this unique initiative of CEMCA & FICCI. He also invited the participants to connect with Handloom Department of Assam and concerned department who will support in setting up aspirants’ business.

Mr. Rajnish Kumar (Chairman and Managing Director, NSFDC) spoke about need of connecting the participants to open market to boost their business and how NSFDC can assist them in this initiative. 54 participants from various parts of Assam attended this program and been certified by FICCI in association with CEMCA.

This course was tailored specifically to make an individual ready to work in Apparel Industry by using her/his expertise in operating the sewing machine to produce Apparel Products and participants learned and participated actively during the program.