Karnataka, Feb 17 (KNN) Eyeing to promote, support and guide the MSMEs of the region, the Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) has initiated a new project to prepare rural youth industry-ready.

The association has started on a project to set up a Centre of Excellence.

The centre, which is coming up on a 4.5 acre land at Avverahalli Industrial Area, Dobaspet 4th Phase in Nelamangala taluk, will have an exhibition centre spread over 50,000 sq. feet, six learning centres (academic block), six technology centres (workshop block), administrative block, food court and other facilities.

The cost of setting up the centre is estimated at Rs 33 crore and KASSIA has so far mobilised Rs 12 crore, of which Rs 5 crore is in the form of a grant from the state government. Further, the association is looking for an additional grant of Rs 20 crore from the state government.

The focus of the centre of excellence will be on MSME sector. It will focus on skill development training in the areas of CNC Programming and Operation, Basic Electricals and Electronics, Light Industrial Fabrication, Garments and Footwear. Kassia aims to provide training to more than 12,000 rural youth and make them employable by the MSME sector.

The centre of excellence is expected to benefit an estimated 6.5 lakh MSME units across the state.

The Centre will also invite experts and reputed academicians to support this cell in due course. Kassia has already commenced construction of the centre of excellence which will be completed by June this year. In the second phase, it intends to set up a hostel for rural youth. (KNN/SS)

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