Ministry of Minority Affairs will undertake a skill development program and courses which are National Skill Qualifications Framework (NSQF) compliant for new projects. The scheme will give training for modern trades for which the training must be arrayed to NSQF and Training partner having certification and affiliation through SMART Portal of National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) will be the Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) for Seekho aur Kamao. The form of financing and the course will be as per the common regulations issued by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). For traditional courses as specified under Modular Employable Skills (MES) and acknowledged by NSDC/NCVT (National Council for Vocational Training) which involve most of traditional skills being practiced by the minority communities, e.g. Embroidery, Zardosi, Patchwork, Chikankari, Weaving, Wooden works, Gem and Jewelry, Leather goods, Glasswares, Brass metal works, Carpet etc. On one hand, this must help to preserve the traditional arts and crafts practiced by minorities and on the other hand enable the minority communities to confront the market challenges and avail scopes.

Objectives of the Scheme

To reduce unemployment rate of minorities during the 14th Finance Commission
To preserve and update modern and traditional skills of minorities and determine their linkages with the job market.
To enhance job opportunities of existing workers, school dropouts, etc. and assure their placement.
To originate better livelihood for marginalized minorities and bring them in the mainstream.
To empower minorities to avail scopes in the growing market.
To establish potential human resource for the country.
Benefits of the Scheme
The scheme must be executed for the benefit of the 6 (six) notified minority communities under the National Commission for Minorities Act 1992 (viz. Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis and Jains).
The scheme can be resumed anywhere in the country, but priority will be provided to organizations which target at grating training and suggest the program for identified minority concentration districts/towns / blocks.
It must be essential to the part of the executing organization to evaluate the employment potential in a specific area in advance depending on the educational qualification of the population, current economic trend and market potential before suggesting the trades.
The Project Implementation Agency (PIA) may take into account activation of mechanisms in connection with industry for “Job fairs” and “Job counseling” so as to spread consciousness, generate choice and assure that the poor and weak are sufficiently catered to in the skilling process.
The executing agencies must be required to develop linkages with institutions recognized by NSDC and organize to deliver a Certificate/Diploma issued by NSDC to the candidates for the trades in which they have been trained. The module of the training should be acknowledged by the National Skill Development Corporation or any Agency prescribed by NSDC.
The executing agencies will also develop connections with placement services, and for the candidates interested in self-employment after assisting the training, the agency will organize easy micro finance/loans for them through financial institutions, National Minority Development Finance Corporation (NMDFC), banks, etc.
Reserved seats will be minimum 33% for minority girl/ women candidates.
Preference will be provided to organizations who would assure 75% total placement percentage and out of that at least 50% placement should be in organized sector.
The scheme has two parts:
Placement related skills training program for modern trades.
Skills training program for Traditional Trades/Crafts/Art Forms.
The trainees must be linked with an Aadhaar/UID number, if available, or any other Government recognized identification number.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q-1. What are the key targets of the scheme Learn and Earn?

Ans.:- The key objectives of this scheme are as follows :-
Minimize the unemployment rate of minorities during 12th plan period (2012-17).
Preserve and update traditional skills of minorities and develop their connections with the market.
Enhance employability of existing workers, school dropouts, etc. and assure their placement.
Originate better livelihood for marginalized minorities and bring them in the mainstream.
Empower minorities to avail scopes in the growing market.
Establish potential human resource for the country.

Q-2. What will be the areas of focus under Learn and Earn scheme?
Ans.:- The focussed regions of this scheme are as follows:
Training program for modern trades which should be placement oriented.
Skills training program for traditional trades.
Training program will also involve the basic Information and Technology (I.T), soft skills training and english training.
Project implementing agencies to assure 75% employment and out of that 50% in organized sector.
Arrangement for placement and post placement assist.
100% support by Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India.

Q-3. Who will be benefitted from ‘Learn and Earn’ scheme?
Ans.:- The scheme is executed for the advantage of the 5 notified minority communities under the National Commission for Minorities Act 1992 (Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists and Parsis).

Q-4. What will be the duration of the project?
Ans.:- The total duration of the project under ’Seekho aur Kamao’ program would be contiguous with the Fourteen Finance Commission ending on 31st March, 2020.