Artisans in Kerala to get Trained by IIM-K

Artisans in Kerala now have an opportunity to become small-time entrepreneurs. Handicrafts Development corporation of Kerala Limited is now in a tie up with the Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode, (IIM-K) in order to provide training to the artisans in the state in handling the modern tools that are used in the industry and also to market their products.

The first batch would consist of 200 artisans who would be given a 4-day residential training. They would also be given tools and materials to the tune of Rs.50,000 once they have successfully completed their training. Each of the participant would be given a stipend of Rs.500 a day.

The Corporation Chairman M.C. Kamaruddin said in a press conference that the agenda of this programme was to enhance the skills of the artisans and to make their products competitive. He also added that a committee had been constituted with representatives from the Directorate of Industries, Industries Department as well as Handicrafts Development Corporation and also a management expert to select the artisans and also a sum of Rs.2.86 crore had been sanctioned for this training and for procurement of equipment.

The artisans would be assisted in procuring low-interest loans for setting up units and to market their products. Twenty showrooms of the corporation would be used to provide an opportunity to the artisans to sell their products.