The Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) is enrolling powerloom workers for a short-term course, which will enable them to seek admission to its diploma course in textiles.
These workers are from areas like Malegaon, Bhiwandi, Mumbra, Amravati, Kamptee and Ichalkaranji in the state, the Nashik-based varsity has said.
"There are about two lakh powerloom workers in these areas and their educational level is not very high. However, over the years, they have developed some unique skills at their workplace, which are not recognised by society or any educational institution. These highly skilled workers hold no certificates and are meagerly paid," YCMOU spokesperson Shrinivas Belsare said.
At an event at Malegaon recently, the university decided to recognise the capacities and creativity of these workers with the help of professional skill tests and provide them with certificates jointly with the Municipal Corporation of Malegaon, Directorate of Vocational Training, of Maharashtra Government and the Directorate of Textiles.