Jorhat, May 2: The bakery unit in the College of Home Science, which had been hitherto used for academic purpose will be used to train 30 entrepreneurs in baking and confectionery under public-private participation mode.
Impact NE, a Majuli-based NGO, has arranged for the team, which comprises six men and 24 women to receive 300 hours of training under the entrepreneurship and skill development scheme of the medium, small and micro enterprises department.
“We had to pay an institution cost and the cost of the materials, which will be used to make the bakery products. The training also takes into account quality assurance and packaging with a stress on hygiene,” Meenaxi Pathak, dean of Home Science College, said.
Amal Goswami, chairman, Impact NE said after the training these people would be able to individually open small bakery units or work as helpers in larger ones.
“Many places of Assam lack proper bakeries and sometimes the products are not good. This training will be of immense help to enhance the quality and increase sales,” he said.
Goswami said after the training those trained would be enrolled with them for one year and Impact NE would help with government links in case of setting up of a new bakery or help them in getting employment in larger units.
“The first part of the training comprised entrepreneurship build up and credit facilities that can be availed in banks,” Goswami said.
Pathak said the bakery unit had been used till now in implant learning which forms a part of the undergraduate curricula of the department of food and nutrition. This is the only department in the country offering an experiential learning course in baked food and confectionery.
“Now we are helping as resource persons to the trainees but we also have plans for bulk production and will provide six months certificate courses on our own,” he added.
The bakery-cum confectionery unit was bought with an Indian Council of Agricultural Research grant of Rs 25 lakh in June 2008.
and the high-tech equipment includes huge proofers, sifters, dough kneaders, grinders beck and electric ovens, microwaves and fryers.