Assistance to Training Institutions Scheme
Introduction to Assistance to Training Institutions Scheme
The Assistance to Training Institutions Scheme (ATI Scheme) is a pivotal initiative launched by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) in India. This scheme aims to enhance the infrastructure of training institutions, thereby fostering skill development and entrepreneurship across the nation. By providing financial support for infrastructure creation and expansion, this scheme is designed to bolster the capabilities of training facilities to effectively serve the MSME sector.
Overview of the Scheme
The "Assistance to Training Institutions (ATI) Scheme" focuses on providing vital support to training centres associated with the Ministry of MSME. The scheme encompasses the establishment of new branches and the enhancement of existing facilities to ensure comprehensive training in skills relevant to the MSME sector. This initiative also extends financial assistance to address revenue deficits faced by the National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (NIMSME).
Objectives of the ATI Scheme
The primary goal of the ATI Scheme is to:
- Enhance training capacities for skill development and entrepreneurship.
- Provide training for staff associated with District Industries Centres (DICs) and other government entities involved with MSMEs.
- Strengthen national institutions under the Ministry of MSME to deliver effective training programs.
This scheme aligns with the Skill India Programme, offering skill training in accordance with modules approved by the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF). Ultimately, it aims to upgrade physical infrastructure and improve the skill set of trainers within national institutions.
Benefits and Financial Assistance
Types of Assistance Available
Financial support under the ATI Scheme is structured as follows:
For Training Institutions of the Ministry of MSME
- Assistance will be limited to the actual amount needed for creating, strengthening, or expanding the training institution's infrastructure, along with addressing any revenue deficits of NIMSME.
For State-Level Entrepreneurship Development Institutes (EDIs)
- The maximum assistance for state-level EDIs is capped at ₹3.00 Crore, aimed at enhancing physical infrastructure, equipment procurement, faculty training, and overall capabilities to conduct skill development training related to the MSME sector.
- This financial aid is in addition to any previous grants received under the ATI scheme.
- Selection for assistance will be based on recommendations from the respective State Government or Union Territory (UT).
Conditions for Financial Assistance
- The assisted EDI must complete construction within the stipulated timeframe and submit a utilization certificate as outlined in the sanction letter.
- In case of project delays, an extension must be requested from the Ministry of MSME with valid justifications.
Scale of Assistance for Training Programmes
Assistance for skill development training programs is determined based on the duration of NSQF-compliant training, following these guidelines:
- Category I Courses: ₹38.50 per trainee per hour.
- Category II Courses: ₹33.00 per trainee per hour.
- Category III Courses: ₹27.50 per trainee per hour.
Further details include:
- The initial grant installment will be released in advance, with subsequent installments contingent on the progress of fund utilization.
- Training of Trainers (ToTs) programs will receive assistance at ₹60 per trainee per hour, or the rate prescribed under common norms/NSQF, whichever is lower.
- Other training programs will be evaluated based on specific requirements.
- Overall assistance will also cover overhead costs related to trainee selection camps, space and equipment rentals, utility charges, and project personnel deployment.
Eligibility Criteria
For Training Institutions of the Ministry of MSME
- Institutions must demonstrate a need for infrastructure creation or enhancement to qualify for assistance.
For State-Level EDIs
- Existing state-level EDIs owned and controlled by a State Government or UT are eligible for assistance aimed at infrastructure improvement.
- Financial aid will be tailored to the specific construction needs of each case.
Application Process
How to Apply
To apply for financial assistance under the ATI Scheme, the following steps should be followed:
- Proposals must be submitted by national and state-level EDIs, training institutions, etc., to the Deputy Secretary/Director (EDI), Ministry of MSME, Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi - 110011.
- Proposals will then be processed and reviewed by a Screening Committee, which will make recommendations to the Secretary (MSME).
- Upon approval from the Secretary (MSME), administrative approval will be communicated, and the financial assistance will be disbursed according to the approval letter.
Conclusion
The Assistance to Training Institutions Scheme is a significant step towards enhancing the skill development landscape in India, empowering training institutions to better serve the MSME sector. By providing essential financial support, this scheme aims to create a robust framework for entrepreneurship and skill development across the nation.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria for assistance to Training Institutions of the Ministry of MSME:
Assistance may be provided under the scheme for the creation or strengthening/expansion of infrastructure, including the opening of new branches/centres to training institutions of the Ministry of MSME and for meeting the revenue deficit, if any, of the National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (NI-MSME).
Eligibility criteria for assistance to State Level EDIs:
Assistance may be provided under the scheme to existing State Level EDIs (Entrepreneurship Development Institutes) i.e. owned and controlled by a State Government/UT for creation or strengthening/expansion of their infrastructure.
The financial assistance will be for the specific needs of each case for the construction of the building, purchase of training aids/equipment, office equipment, computers and for providing other support services e.g. libraries/databases, etc. The costs of land, construction of staff quarters, etc. would not qualify for the calculation of a grant from the Central Government.
Financial assistance under the scheme will not be available, henceforth, for setting up of a new EDI. However, the proposals approved or committed earlier would be processed for financial assistance in accordance with the pre-revised guidelines.
Eligibility criteria for assistance for Training Programmes:
Assistance may be provided under the scheme to conduct training programmes in the areas of Skill Development to the following Training Institutions:- (a) NI-MSME, (b) NSIC, (c) KVIC, (d) Coir Board, (e) Tool Rooms/Technology Centres, and (f) MGIRI.
The financial assistance under this scheme would be of a revenue nature.
Central Government may prescribe such other conditions, as necessary, before sanction/release of assistance.
Benefits
Assistance under the Scheme:
Scale of Assistance to Training Institutions of the Ministry of MSME:
The amount of assistance will not exceed the actual amount required for the creation or strengthening/expansion of the infrastructure of the training institution and meeting the revenue deficit, etc. of NI-MSME.
Scale of Assistance to State-Level EDIs:
The maximum assistance under the scheme to a State level EDI will be restricted to ₹3.00 Crore in each case. This grant would be utilized for the development of physical infrastructure, equipment, faculty training, and development of capability for imparting skill development training related to the MSME sector. This grant would be over and above the grant, if any, received by that institution earlier under the ATI scheme.
For the purpose of grant under this category, an EDI owned and controlled by a State Government/UT would be selected as recommended by the State Government.
Note: The assisted EDI shall be required to complete the construction within the given timeframe and shall have to furnish the utilization certificate of the assistance sanctioned within the period prescribed in the sanction letter. In the event of a delay in the completion of the project, an extension of the time limit will have to be obtained from the Ministry of MSME with justifications.
Scale of Assistance for Training Programmes:
1. Assistance for skill development programmes under the scheme would be provided based on the duration of the NSQF-compliant training programmes (number of hours of training inputs). The cost of a training programme would be determined as per the following base rates notified by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship vide Notification No.H22011/2/2014-SDE-I dated 15.07.2015 as amended from time to time:-
Category I Courses: ₹38.50 per head per hour of training.
Category II Courses: ₹33.00 per head per hour of training.
Category III Courses: ₹27.50 per head per hour of training.
2. The first installment of the grant would be released in advance. The subsequent installments would be released based on the progress of the utilization of funds already released.
3. Assistance for Training of Trainers (ToTs) programmes would be provided @ ₹60 per trainee per hour (or, the rate prescribed under the common norms/NSQF, whichever is less).
4. Assistance for other types of training programmes would be decided based on the actual requirement in each case.
5. The total amount of assistance to be considered for release as per the above rate will include the cost of overheads such as, motivation camps the for selection of eligible trainees, charges towards hiring of space and equipment (if any), electricity/water, stationary, man hour cost of deployment of project personnel, post-training follow-up activities, etc.
6. The trainees would be expected to make their own arrangements for travel and stay during the training period. In case the residential facility is provided by the Training Institution, it may charge the same from the trainee (subject to common norms/NSQF). It would be permissible to dovetail the assistance under this scheme with facilities/benefits available under schemes of other Ministries/Departments/State/UT Governments etc. for reimbursement of travel, boarding, and lodging expenses and stipend, etc. However, it would be the responsibility of the Training Institution to ensure that there is no duplication and that assistance for the same purpose is not claimed under more than one scheme.
Application Process
Apply OfflineApplication Process:
The proposals from national and state level EDIs, training institutions of M/o MSME etc. for grant of financial assistance under the scheme shall be submitted to the Deputy Secretary/Director (EDI), M/o MSME, Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi 110011.
Post-Application Process:
Step 01: The proposals for assistance shall be processed for submission to the Screening Committee for consideration.
Step 02: The Screening Committee shall examine all the proposals received under the scheme and submit its recommendations to the Secretary (MSME).
Step 03: After approval of the Secretary (MSME), administrative approval shall be conveyed to the applicant organization, and admissible financial assistance shall be released in accordance with the approval letter. It is clarified that private training institutions/NGOs are not covered under the scheme for assistance for infrastructure support and training programmes.
Miscellaneous:
An online mechanism for maintaining the details related to beneficiaries is already in place @ www.ati.msme.gov.in.
To meet the expenditure related to Aadhaar authentication services and maintenance/development of online software and other miscellaneous/administrative expenses related to the Scheme will be met from the budget provision (General Head) under the Scheme.
References & Official Links
Scheme Details
| Full Name | Assistance to Training Institutions Scheme |
| Short Title | ATI |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Infra |
| Ministry | Ministry Of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises |
| Categories | Business & Entrepreneurship, Skills & Employment |
| States | All India |
| Gender | All |
| Area | Both |
| Source | www.myscheme.gov.in ↗ |