Programme envisages training about 1,500 engineering and management professionals across the country every year. | |
| The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has launched an initiative that is likely to see 1,500 young engineering and management graduates turn into entrepreneurs each year. |
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| With the objective of grooming people with technical and management qualifications into entrepreneurs and capitalise on the emerging opportunities, the MSME Development Institute (MSME-DI) of the MSME ministry has launched a new scheme, 'Business Skill Development Programme' (BSDP) targeted at BE, BTech and MBA students in AICTE-approved engineering colleges, institutions and universities. |
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| Though micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) provide substantial employment across the country, they are faced with several challenges in terms of new technology, trade barriers and quality norms. |
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| This government of India initiative, which envisages training about 1,500 engineering and management professionals across the country every year, will be co-ordinated by 30 MSME Development Institutes (formerly Small Industries Services Institutes) across the country. |
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| The institutes, in association with engineering colleges or institutions that impart technical education, will organise motivational campaigns for students pursuing their final year or semester and pre-final terms. After the initial screening, potential candidates will be identified and selected to attend a 22-day BSDP programme in the selected college campus. |
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| Selected candidates will be given the necessary support and guidance in promoting their own businesses. The tailor-made BSDP programme focuses on potential emerging sectors, quality management, export opportunities, commercialisation and marketing techniques, access to technical knowhow of the Department of Science and Technology, credit guarantee schemes and interaction with industry, among others. Candidates will be encouraged to prepare a business plan on their chosen business area and the same will be reviewed by a committee for its feasibility on technical, financial and economic aspects. Then, necessary guidance on identifying various sources will be provided for its implementation and commercialisation. |
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| As a part of this national initiative, the MSME Development Institute, Chennai, will conduct the first BSDP programme in Tamil Nadu at the Sri Venkateswara Engineering College near Chennai from February 6. Of the total 75-plus candidates who attended the initial campaign, 30 have been selected. |
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| R Panneerselvam, deputy director, MSME Development Institute, says that Rs 3 crore has been earmarked by the central government to fund colleges and institutions conducting the programme. To hold the programme on its campus, an institution should have an entrepreneurial cell functioning for at least three years and must have conducted at least one or two programmes a year on entrepreneurship. |
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| "It is imperative for MSME leaders to have a sound knowledge on industry developments and innovations. As the selected candidates come equipped with the latest management techniques, their motivation levels are very high," Panneerselvam said. |
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| The MSME Development Institute will conduct its next programme at the Vellore Institute of Technology. More events are planned in Coimbatore, Tuticorin and Tirunelveli. "In each of these places, we expect to select 25 to 30 candidates, who will turn into potential entrepreneurs and generate jobs for more people. |
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