USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills & Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development) scheme

Facts:

• • USTTAD Scheme: The scheme was launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
  • Aim: To upgrade the capacity building and traditional skills of master craftsmen and artisans.
  • Objectives:
    • Capacity building and upgrading of the traditional skills of master craftsmen and artisans;
    • Documentation of identified traditional arts/crafts of minorities;
    • Set standards of traditional skills;
    • Training of minority youths in various identified traditional arts/crafts through master craftsmen;
    • Develop national and international market linkages; and
    • Preservation of languishing Arts/Crafts.
• Knowledge Partners: To support Ministry and the Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) with technical inputs for capacity building of master craftsmen/artisan and upgrading their traditional skills, following knowledge partners will be involved by the Ministry:
  • National Institute of Fashion Technology.
  • Sectoral Export Promotion Councils.
  • Other expert agencies.
• Components of the scheme: The scheme has following programmes:
  • Up-gradation of Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts through Institutions.
  • USTAD Apprenticeship stipend for Research and Development.
  • Support to Craft museum for curating traditional arts/ crafts.
  • Support to minority craftsmen/artisans through Hunar Haat and Shilp Utsav for marketing their products through exhibitions throughout the country and abroad.
  • Recognition of talented Master Craftsmen & Artisans.

Article Source