Dhanbad, June 4: The self-help groups (SHGs) in rural areas of Dhanbad are set to become tech-savvy with the district administration tapping local technical institutes to lend technical expertise to them.

The programme would come under the Skill Development Initiative Scheme of the government for better employment through SHGs. The idea is to promote self-employment and skill development among the rural unemployed youths and women.

The Dhanbad Polytechnic, Industrial Training Institute (ITI), International-National Institute of Fashion Designing (INIFD), Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and Small Industries Service Institute (SISI) branch, under the ministry of small-scale industries, and other established non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been asked to help the SHGs with their expertise.

According to the co-ordinating officer, Gajendra Ojha, the institutions would impart training to the SHGs and instil confidence in them.

The district programme officials and the rural development authorities said that the technical institutions and NGOs have given presentations on dairy farming, animal husbandry, cultivation, pickle, jam and jelly making among other tasks.

The administration is still working out the best options to generate employment.