Begusarai: A five-month skills training programme for women associated with Bihar’s Jeevika self-help groups concluded this week with a certificate distribution ceremony in Begusarai, marking a collaboration between the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL). The initiative aims to prepare rural women for formal employment in the apparel manufacturing sector through structured, industry-focused training.
Addressing the gathering, Colonel Rahul Sharma, director of NIFT Patna, said the programme had led to visible changes in the trainees’ confidence, technical knowledge and employability. He noted that the curriculum focused on finishing, quality control and product excellence areas considered critical for sustainable work in garment manufacturing. Sharma credited the scheme to the broader vision of the Union textiles minister, Giriraj Singh, whose ministry supported the partnership between industry and training institutions.
ABFRL’s chief supply chain officer, Swaminathan, said the company’s focus on quality-driven production required skilled workers and consistent training. He announced that a new manufacturing unit in Begusarai is expected to become operational within six to seven months. The proposed facility will house around 400 embroidery machines, a move expected to generate significant local employment opportunities, particularly for women who have completed the programme.
Organisers also highlighted improvements in production efficiency and teamwork among the participants, describing collaboration as essential to factory operations. Certificates were distributed to the trainees at the close of the ceremony, which officials said underscored a shared commitment to inclusive industrial growth and women’s economic independence.
Representatives from the Ministry of Textiles and NIFT’s leadership were acknowledged for their support in shaping the programme’s framework, while the women participants said the training had opened new pathways to stable livelihoods and dignity at work.
