In a push to boost self-employment and entrepreneurship among the youth of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB) has announced free skill development training programmes in five different vocational trades. The initiative targets unemployed youth with a minimum qualification of Class VIII and a desire to set up their own micro or small enterprises.
The training aims to provide hands-on experience, expert mentoring, and post-training support for establishing self-owned units. With courses tailored to locally viable trades, the programme is designed to build grassroots entrepreneurship while simultaneously addressing the rising demand for employable skills in rural and semi-urban communities.
The training will be held across the following trades: manufacturing of coconut shell handicrafts, manufacturing of handicrafts using pandanus leaves, coir or coconut shell, fast food stall management, beautician skills, and poultry or dairy farming. Each course ranges in duration from two weeks to one month, depending on the complexity and practical requirements of the trade.
As per the updated notification, the last date for submission of applications has been extended to August 20, 2025, offering more time for interested candidates to register. Application forms are available at the KVIB Office located at Udyog Parisar Complex, Middle Point, Sri Vijaya Puram, and also at the Industries Department Extension Offices in Bakultala, Diglipur, Hut Bay, and Car Nicobar. Additionally, the forms can be downloaded from the official website: http://andaman.gov.in/An.
The programme is part of KVIB’s broader mission to promote sustainable livelihoods through traditional and modern skill development. It also aligns with the Government of India’s broader vision under schemes such as Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), which aims to generate self-employment opportunities by offering financial assistance and training.
Successful participants of these training programmes will not only acquire technical knowledge but also receive guidance in setting up their own units. They will be informed about avenues to access subsidies, microcredit, and business mentoring through KVIB and associated departments.
Coconut and coir-based crafts, in particular, have significant local economic potential given the Islands’ natural resources. By offering training in these trades, KVIB is leveraging the strengths of the local ecosystem while promoting value-added processing at the micro-entrepreneurial level.
The beautician and fast-food stall courses cater to the service sector, offering quick-to-deploy skills that are in rising demand in both rural and urban market environments. Meanwhile, training in poultry and dairy farming addresses the growing need for sustainable animal husbandry practices and can lead to supplementary income sources for families.
With a practical, market-driven approach, the courses are expected to provide aspiring entrepreneurs the necessary tools to begin their economic journey. The curriculum will focus on product development, basic business operations, safety practices, and marketing skills, along with exposure to success stories and potential markets.
The KVIB has expressed confidence that the extended deadline will result in increased participation and successful roll-out of the programmes across the islands. The Board has also indicated that these training modules will be held at suitable training centres and field locations with support from subject matter experts and trainers experienced in small-scale enterprise development.
This initiative comes at a time when youth unemployment remains a challenge in many parts of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. By directly targeting this demographic with relevant skills and post-training support, KVIB is hoping to foster a self-reliant, entrepreneurial culture at the community level.
