Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) are set up by banks to provide vocational training to rural youth from marginalised communities as part of a national programme initiated by the Ministry of Rural Development (MORD), Government of India. On behalf of ICICI Bank, ICICI Foundation manages two residential ICICI RSETIs in Rajasthan at Udaipur and Jodhpur, and their 19 satellite centres in these two districts, since March 2011.
ICICI RSETIs at Udaipur and Jodhpur have been recognised as top performing RSETIs in India for eight years in a row, by the MORD and the National Centre for Excellence of RSETIs.
Till March 31, 2020, over one lakh people have received pro bono vocational training in over 30 trades from our RSETIs. Nearly 58% of them are women. More than 75% of our trainees are gainfully employed for over one year after completing the skill development programmes. This rate is one of the highest among all RSETIs in the country.
- 1 Lakh
lives
impacted - 58%
women
beneficiaries - Imparts
training in
30
trades
Key courses offered:
Beauty Parlour
Management
Cellphone
Repairs &
Service
Dairy Farming &
Vermicomposting
Electric Motor
Rewinding & Pump
Set Maintenance
Electrical Appliances
Repair
Masonry &
Concrete Works
Office Administration
Refrigeration & AC
Repair
Sand Stone Cutting
& Finishing
Two Wheeler
Mechanic
Women’s Tailor
ICICI RSETIs are focussed on promoting entrepreneurship and livelihood development. Over the years, we have adopted and customised a solution-driven, multi-step model to achieve these twin goals. The highlights of our model are discussed below:
- Mapping of local business ecosystems
- Design and development of localised training programmes
- Mobilisation of trainees through multiple channels
- Provision of ‘training-at-doorstep’
- Focus on holistic development of trainees
- Support to set up a business
- Handholding of trainees
ICICI RSETIs provide demand-led training interventions to identify, orient, motivate, train and assist rural youth in taking up sustainable self-employment opportunities. We undertake detailed surveys and market studies of our target areas to collect information in this regard. These surveys capture information relevant to local business opportunities including demographic and socioeconomic data like levels of literacy and employment, existing skill sets and vocations. The data is analysed for identification of industry trends, supply-demand gap for skills and the scope of intervention required.
Based on the results from this survey and the requirements of local employers, the RSETIs design and develop relevant and contextual curricula. We currently offer pro bono skill training in over 30 trades. All our skill development courses are aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) guidelines.
ICICI RSETIs conduct a series of activities such as Entrepreneurship Awareness Programmes, roadshows and Ratri Choupal (evening community gathering) to create awareness, generate applications and register identified candidates for the training programmes.
In order to extend our reach, we pioneered the innovative concept of satellite centres. We currently operate 19 satellite centres in various blocks to provide ‘training-at-doorstep’ or flexible ‘on-location training’ courses to rural youth.
The pro bono training programmes are designed to enable all-round development of trainees in addition to help them in developing necessary skills for livelihood. They encompass theoretical and practical sessions, include Entrepreneur Development Programmes, behavioural games, industry visits, guest lectures and regular sessions on physical training and yoga. Our programmes also include compulsory sessions on financial literacy that are conducted by experts and mandatory on-the-job training.
Post successful completion of the training, we help trainees to pursue micro-entrepreneurship opportunities and to build credit and market linkages. From creating awareness among the trainees about government credit schemes to facilitating the filling of application forms to avail benefits, the ICICI RSETI team provides trainees with end-to-end support. We also conduct credit linkage camps at our satellite centres from time to time. Our efforts have ensured credit enablement of close to 34% of our candidates. We also provide free ‘toolkits’ as part of our technical training programmes to help them in setting up their own business enterprises.
All our programmes are accompanied by a post-training phase which lasts for two years. We have established procedures to ensure follow-ups and handholding of candidates through personal visits so that they can realise end-to-end benefits from the interventions.
In fiscal 2020, over 17,500 people were trained at both the RSETIs. Much to our delight, almost 70% of our trainees during the year were women.
Over the years, our RSETIs have been successful in creating secure and sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural youth and have contributed significantly to economic development at the village level.
Valaram Patel
Salumbar village, Rajasthan
As I grew up, I managed to bring some stability into our lives. However, I continued to struggle financially. My wife and I were worried about the future of our two kids and I was desperately searching for a breakthrough.
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Mikudi
Baori village, Rajasthan
I was a specially-abled child. While I yearned to be productive and to earn to change our lives, I could do little because I possessed no real skills.
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