For B. Shanthi of Kavangarai near Puzhal, it is a great opportunity she never wants to miss, to become a fashion designer. Having joined the ‘free’ fashion designer course offered by Apollo Institute of Technical Training, Ambattur, she hoped that income generated would help to educate her children. She has plans to save from it. R. Neeraja of Chozhapuram told The Hindu Downtown that the programme is designed in a simple way of learning and the trainers are very cordial with learners. Apart from improving her economic status she can train others in the trade in future.
One of the beneficiaries, K.S. Chitra, a student of Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute University, Maduravoyal, wants to excel in one of the skills apart from academic excellence.
With the experience gained here, she wants to spread the message to the community about the Government schemes available to common man.
The Corporation of Chennai has been offering skill development training to the beneficiaries under the scheme ‘Swarna Jayanthi Shahari Rozgar Yojana’ (SJSRY). Skill Development Training is being given to the below poverty line (BPL) beneficiaries of the city, on following trades: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Service; Electronic Servicing; Computer Hardware Servicing; Mobile Phone Servicing; Modern front Office Management; Auto-Mobile Mechanic; Nursing Assistant course; Heavy vehicle maintenance; Fashion Design; Welding (Gas,Ork and ‘X” Ray); and Tally (Computer course). Among these , Apollo Institute of Technical Training, Ambattur, has been selected to provide Fashion Designing training to women drawn from different zones of the Corporation.
Give training
According to Chennai Corporation notification, the purpose is to impart training, provide assistance for skill formation/upgradation of the urban poor to enhance their capacity to undertake self–employment as well as access better salaried employment through the trades.
The Skill Training for Employment Promotion amongst Urban Poor (STEP- UP) component of SJSRY has been aligned to the goals of the National Skill Development Policy.
STEP-UP aims at poverty removal in urban areas by developing skills. The beneficiaries are being identified by Community Organisers and this scheme SJSRY is being monitored by Deputy Commissioner (Education). Project Officers are to plug the gaping holes, if any, in implementation.
Managing Director of the Institute, V. Nagarani said that more than 1,500 women, below the poverty line, had benefited so far. In the past, Ambattur, Avadi, Poonamallee, Madhavaram and Tiruvallur Municipalities, all under Tiruvallur district, had extended their support for the successful completion of these programmes. The course duration is three to six months and certificates are distributed to the successful through the Tiruvallur District Collector / project officer of Mahalir Thittam.
“This year, we provide training to 570 beneficiaries at 15 centres across the city and its adjoining areas. The Government agencies also provide job opportunities as they have a tie up with industrial houses and any skilled worker would get Rs. 5,000 to 8,000 per month,” she said. The AITT centres are located at Kosapur, Ambattur, Kallikuppam, Puzhal, Madhavaram, Periyar Nagar, Kolathur, Maduravoyal, Ayyapanthangal, Porur, Perambur, and Valasarawakkam. The Fashion Designing course is for three months and the beneficiaries are given Rs. 250 stipend. ‘Our training programmes are under periodical monitoring by project officers from Chennai Corporation. Hence, chance of malpractices are reduced. ,” she said.
The scheme to develop skills has done wonders.
