Several institutions are at work in Kerala to offer training and support to self-employed persons. The short-term courses, which are managed under the aegis of the lead banks in every district of the state, are free of cost. The centres, known as R SETI (Rural Self Employment Training Institute), offer courses that run from six days to 45 days. The courses could be general job training or specifically tailored to suit individual needs.
Here is a list of general courses on offer.
Photography and videography (30 days)
Mobile phone repair (30 days)
Incense manufacture (10 days)
Dairy and vermicompost (10 days)
Beauty clinic (30 days)
Paper cover and envelopes (10 days)
Welding and fabrication (30 days)
Men's tailoring (30 days)
Embroidery and fabric painting (30 days)
Ornament making (13 days)
Two wheeler repair (30 days)
Horticulture (13 days)
House wiring (30 days)
Men's beauty clinic and saloon (30 days)
TV technician (30 days)
House painting (10 days)
Toy making (13 days)
Goat rearing (10 days)
Computerised accounting (30 days)
Jute products (13 days)
Poultry farming (10 days)
Pickles, pappad and masala powder manufacture (10 days)
Medicinal plant gardening (10 days)
Rubber tapping (10 days)
Fast food (10 days)
Tailoring for women (30 days)
DTP (45 days)
Computer hardware (45 days)
Candle making (10 days)
Entrepreneurial development programme (10 days)
Pig farming (10 days)
Plumbing and sanitary works (30 days)
Refrigeration and air-conditioning (30 days)
Nursery (10 days)
Honeybee farming (10 days)
Travel and tourism (10 days)
Mushroom farming (10 days)
Babysitting (10 days)
Polyhouse (10 days)
Aluminium fabrication (30 days)
Bakery (30 days)
Photo framing and lamination and screen printing (10 days)
Masonry (10 days)
Carpentry (30 days)
CCTV operation (13 days)
Fish farming (10 days)
Shop keeping (10 days)
All these courses need a minimum of 25-30 applicants to start with. Chosen candidates for some of the courses can also expect free accommodation during the course of training. They will be served tea, snacks and lunch during the course time that typically runs from 9am to 5pm.
Anyone aged between 18 years and 45 years can apply for the courses. Age limit is relaxed for special courses. Candidates who have successfully passed the courses can expect to find continued support from R SETI to set up their own ventures.
Here is a list of R SETIs in each district. They are attached to the lead banks.
Thiruvananthapuram
Indian Overseas Bank, TC 14/1609, Forest Office, Overseas Bank Lane, Vazhuthakkad, Thycaud - 695 014
Phone: 0471 2322430, 944746996
Email: iobrsetitvm@gmail.com
Kollam
Syndicate Bank, Kallara Irrigation Project Campus, Near Mannam Memorial College, Kottiyam - 691 571
Phone: 0474 2537141, 9495245002
Email: syndrsetikollam@gmail.com
Pathanamthitta
State Bank of India, Kidarathil Chris Towers, College Road, Pathanamthitta - 689 645
Phone: 0468 2270244, 9847514259
Email: rsetipt9@sbi.co.in
Alappuzha
State Bank of India, Aryad Block Panchayat Building, Kalavoor, Alappuzha 688 522
Phone: 0477 2292427, 9446283414
Email: rsetialpy@sbi.co.in
Kottayam
State Bank of India, Jawahar Balabhawan Building, Temple Road, Tirunakkara - 686 001
Phone: 0481 2303306, 9446481957
Email: rsetiktm@sbi.co.in
Idukki
Union Bank of India, Idukki Block Panchayat Building, Nedumkandam - 685 551
Phone:04868 234567. 9495590778
Email: ubinedumkandam@gmail.com
Ernakulam
Union Bank, Union Bank Bhawan, A M Road, Perumbavoor - 683 524
Phone: 0484 2529344, 9946899705
Email: unionbkrsetpbvr@gmail.com
Thrissur
Canara Bank, S J Colony, Villadam, Ramavarmapuram – 680631
Phone:0487 2694412, 9447196324
Email:cbrsetitr@gmail.com
Palakkad
Canara Bank, Vellinezhi gram panchayat, Kallookkad, Sreekrishnapuram – 679 503
Phone: 0466 2285554, 9846917931
Email: cbrsetipkd@gmail.com
Malappuram
Canara Bank, Vandoor Block, Malappuram – 679 328
Phone: 04931 247001, 9495609928
Email: subbaraopaiinstitute@gmail.com
Kozhikode
Canara Bank, Kozhikode Block Office Compound, Mathara P O, Guruvayoorappan College – 679 328
Phone: 0495 2432470, 9446082241
Email: cbrseticalicut@gmail.com
Wayanad
State Bank of India
Puthoorvayal P O, Wayanad – 673 121
Phone: 04936 207132, 9884041040
Email: rsetiw@sbi.co.in
Kannur
Syndicate Bank, Near RTA Ground, Kanjirangad P O, Via Karimba, Kannur – 670 142
Phone: 0460 2226573, 9447483646
Email: rudsetkerala@gmail.com
Kasaragod
Andhra Bank, Bellikoth Institute, Kanhangad P O, Ananthasramam – 671 531
Phone: 0467 2268240, 9497289100
Email: bired2003@gmail.com
(The writer is the manager of the Thrissur District Industrial Center)