New Delhi, Oct 3 (KNN) For a world bank funded skilling project Apparel Training and Design Centre (ATDC), the training wing of Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), has tied up with 77 apparel manufacturing units in Tamil Nadu.

AEPC and ATDC Chairman Dr A Sakthivel said “We have received support letters fr0m 77 factories based in Tirupur and Chennai apparel cluster for World Bank funded Skills Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE) project”.

STRIVE is a World Bank funded project under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship with a total cost of Rs 2,200 crore ($318 million) aimed at improving the productivity at MSMEs in various industrial clusters. It also aims to enhance the delivery quality of ITIs through Apprenticeship Scheme in all sectors.

While AEPC, having more than 8,000 apparel exporters as members, has applied for the project, ATDC will impart the three-month classroom training to 240 apprentices in five different courses followed by a 12-month on-the-job training under the mandatory Apprenticeship Scheme in partner factories.

Sakthivel said “This is a win-win for both industry and workers. Courses were designed after consulting the industry so that they can have an upgraded workforce. While the apprentices will earn a stipend of Rs 4,500 to Rs 9,000 per month during the 12-month training period, they stand a good chance to get absorbed in the same factory,”.

ATDC further plans to establish Industry Apprenticeship Initiative Cell and expand the work of Training of Trainers (ToT) through Apparel Made-Up and Home Furnishing Sector Skill Council (AMH-SSC) under the skilling project.

India’s top training institute in the apparel sector ATDC has been selected by the Delhi government through Delhi SC/ST/OBC Minorities & Handicapped Finance & Development Corporation Ltd (DSFDC) for training 1,000 candidates in trade programs, informed the Chairman.

ATDC Vice Chairman Rakesh Vaid, while addressing the 17th Annual General Meeting of ATDC last Monday, said ‘Pro-up’ or Professional Up-gradation programs for apparel exporters on on-site basis will commence fr0m January 2021.

“ATDC has become the biggest vocational training provider in the country. National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has renewed our partnership for three years. ATDC has uploaded over 68,000 candidates through the NSDC portal till March 2020,” he added.