A training programme for block-level officials and members of Village Poverty Reduction Committee (VPRC) under Project Life (Livelihoods in Full Employment) was conducted by the District Rural Development Agency here on Monday.
The Project Life programme aims to promote skills and self-reliance among workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) so that they can support and sustain themselves with alternative work after the 100 days of work scheme.
“The rural poor should not be solely dependent on the MGNREGS and through Project Life, we will aim to give them additional livelihood skills or enhance their existing skills so that they can engage in gainful employment through the year,” said Rohini Ramdas, Project Officer, DRDA.
Survey
Under the programme, the officers will carry out surveys of eligible candidates to ascertain their willingness to acquire new skills and enhance their existing skill sets, based on which, the necessary agencies involved will plan for capacity building programmes.
In Madurai district, 14,135 workers who have completed 100 days under the MGNREGS have been identified and the programme officers will soon begin conducting surveys and speaking to them about the options available for livelihood intervention – skill training for wages, skill training for self-employment and livelihood upgradation.
The target group will comprise workers in the age group of 15 years to 35 years.
Options
Among 41 options available in the skill training for wages category are agriculture, beauty and hair dressing, construction equipment, hospitality and plastic processing-related programmes.
While Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs) are available under the self-employment category, backyard poultry rearing, vermi composting and sustainable agriculture practices are among the options available for livelihood upgradation programmes.
