Launched in October 2016 in partnership with IDFC First Bank, as part of its CSR initiative, project Saksham is an advanced tailoring internship to facilitate the transition of underprivileged women to entrepreneurs or major livelihood earners.
In its seventh year, the syllabus has been developed with garment manufacturing companies, who have a great need for such skilled workers, and perceive a huge void of skill required for their industry. The internship has been designed in a ‘learn and earn’ format and is imparted in physical centres as well as in online classes. The women are trained and prepped to earn income during and after the 12 week training program through available job-work opportunities.
At the end of their training, women are connected with garment manufacturing companies to use their expertise to fulfill orders from home or in factories. ACT and IDFC First Bank have also dedicated parts of their Saksham centres in Jogeshwari West, Mahakali Caves and Vashi Village to graduates of Saksham, so that those without the space or facilities at home can generate livelihoods through garment partnerships facilitated by ACT.