Skill Development
Enabling employment opportunities and building confidence among youth and women for better livelihood options.
Building a bright future
for the youth and women
The economy in Yadgir is predominantly dependent on agriculture. The district witnesses a high incidence of seasonal unemployment and migration. Approximately 60% of the population migrate seasonally to nearby cities in search of small-time jobs. Lack of skills, absence of knowledge about jobs and lack of industrialization compounds the problem of unemployment and is responsible for this migration.
Our approach builds on both farm and non-farm-based interventions. The goal is to not only benefit the individual through upskill and relevant livelihood opportunities but also grow the economy in and around Yadgir to reduce the incidence of migration.
We have identified three core areas of skill development — Micro-enterprises and Entrepreneurship, Vocational Training and Finishing Schools.
- MICRO-ENTERPRISES & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
- VOCATIONAL SKILL TRAINING CENTRE
- FINISHING SCHOOLS
Micro-Enterprises and Entrepreneurship
We are piloting a value chain model – maximizing value for producers who are at the bottom of the value chain and creating an ecosyatem of micro, small and medium enterprises.
A mentorship programme aims to create a group of mentors who will directly interact with youth and women to increase their awareness about the job opportunities, educate them on the skill gaps and bring them one step closer to livelihood opportunities including entrepreneurship.
To support agri-entrepreneurs, young farmers will be trained on various aspects including set-up, maintenance, hiring of farm equipment, business skills, sales and possible market linkages.
Vocational Skill Training Centre
The centre will provide need-based short-term vocational training courses across multiple sectors to semi-skilled and uneducated youth. Following are the two different models:
Pre-Vocational centres (PVC) will motivate children between 16 to 18 years of age and prepare them to enter the work force through learning experience and training in basic skills such as communication, numerical and clerical skills.
Short-term domain based trainings
- Farm-based training will identify eligible young farmers, enhance their technical and soft skills and position them as a link for the larger community for relevant innovations.
- Non-farm based trainings will focus on income generation for the semi-skilled and uneducated rural population through various skillsets including sewing machine operator, electrician and hospitality.
Finishing schools
This initiative focus on helping the educated, unemployed youth. The initiative will have two-fold approach
- Providing finishing skills to boost language capabilities, confidence, aspirations and help youth make informed career decisions.
- Creating a platform within the district and across the Kalyana-Kamataka region for sharing employment opportunities.
We will also collaborate with the District Exchange to enrol graduates
onto their platforms.
Kalike, in Yadgir promoted women enterprises – Lambani embroidery art and recycled paper products (pen and pencil). Around 40+ women have been trained in upskilling their skills on lambani embroidery work, on new contemporary fashion design products. 20+ women have been trained on making recycled paper pencil and pens using old newspaper and other recycled papers.
Expansion of Skill Development
in Tamil Nadu
Kalike in Partnership with NSE Foundation, implemented skill development intervention in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. The intervention focused on two models, Industry linked Training and Entrepreneurship Training model. Industry linked model focused on providing institutional setup trainings on various trades, like General Duty Assistance, Computer Operator, and place them in jobs.
Entrepreneurship model focused on providing onsite training for youths, connecting to Entrepreneurs who are running small business-like metal fabrication, AC repair, automobile, palm leaf products etc. Youths are referred to models based on their interest and provided training accordingly.
Kalike in Partnership with Titan Company Limited, implementing Employment Linked Training model in Tiruppur district of Tamil Nadu. The intervention focus on empowering women and youth providing textile industry-focused skill trainings that unlocks sustainable livelihoods.
Creating a sustainable ecosystem plays a critical role in skill development; it will ensure collectively raising incomes of households. Through these skill development interventions, community institutions would be strengthened and ultimately become independent and sustainable in nature.
Our progress.
Since we started our work,
No of Youth Trained – 0+
No of Youths Placed/ Self Employed – 0+
No of Entrepreneurs – 0+
Lambani Women Empowerment
In the villages of Yadgir, a group of determined Lambani women have redefined their identity – not just as traditional artisans, but as entrepreneurs, leaders, and agents of change. What began as a community mobilization and training initiative led by Kalike evolved into something far more powerful: the formation of the Dharmani Mahila Swa-Sahaya Sangha — a self-help group (SHG) led and run by Lambani women.
They were previously confined to informal livelihoods and limited economic opportunity, were trained and empowered through Kalike’s skill development programs. With structured training, exposure, and handholding, they built the confidence and capabilities to form their own SHG and operate independently. The Dharmani SHG is not just about producing craft – it’s about fostering resilience, financial inclusion, and women-led enterprise in rural North Karnataka.