Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug 21: A 15-day skill development programme in handicrafts began at Guptapara Panchayat on Friday, offering 20 local trainees practical training aimed at building sustainable livelihood opportunities through locally available materials.
The programme, initiated by the Directorate of Industries, targets local youth, self-help groups and artisans, with training centred on the use of coconut shell, wood, cane, bamboo and coir. The initiative seeks to equip participants with skills that can support handicraft production and livelihood activities.
The training was inaugurated in the presence of Guptapara Panchayat Pradhan Durlav Das and PRI member Alladi Roy. They commended the Directorate of Industries for bringing the programme to the area and encouraged the 20 trainees to use the opportunity to develop the skills needed to become self-reliant entrepreneurs.
The programme places emphasis on practical, hands-on learning rather than classroom instruction alone. Participants will be trained in designing, carving, treating and finishing handicraft products intended for the market.
The training will cover the different stages involved in turning locally available materials into finished products. Coconut shell, wood, cane, bamboo and coir will form the primary materials for the practical exercises, allowing participants to develop skills in working with resources available within the local setting.
For local youth, SHGs and artisans, the programme is designed to strengthen their ability to produce marketable handicrafts while developing skills that can contribute to sustainable livelihoods. The focus on locally sourced materials also links traditional craftsmanship with environmentally sustainable livelihood practices.
The Directorate of Industries has structured the programme around both craftsmanship and livelihood development, with participants receiving practical exposure to product design and finishing techniques.
By combining traditional craft practices with skills in product development, the 15-day programme aims to help the participating trainees gain capabilities that can be applied to handicraft production and self-employment.
The initiative at Guptapara Panchayat is therefore focused on skill acquisition at the local level, bringing structured handicraft training directly to youth, SHGs and artisans while encouraging the use of sustainable materials and traditional craftsmanship.
