Chennai, February 28 – In a major initiative aimed at both welfare and skill development, the Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister Stalin, has launched a large-scale program to provide structured online training to 50,000 students from the families of construction workers.
The initiative aims to create sustainable career pathways for young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds by equipping them with skills that are in demand in the market.
The program will be implemented by the Tamil Nadu Academy of Construction (TAC), which operates under the state's Labour Department.
It specifically targets higher education students who are dependents of workers registered with the Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Welfare Board (TNCWWB), ensuring that benefits reach eligible families within the organized welfare framework.
To implement the program, TAC has invited bids from qualified training agencies to conduct six-month online skill upgrade programs in 40 different disciplines.
Officials said the program aims to complement formal education with practical, industry-oriented skills that enhance employability in a technology-driven economy.
The courses, which will be offered completely free of charge, will cover both emerging and traditional sectors.
Key areas include Artificial Intelligence, data science, software development, cloud computing, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), robotics, and digital marketing.
All programs will adhere to the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) standards and align with relevant National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) codes to ensure national-level recognition and employability.
Training providers will be required to deliver content through a dedicated Learning Management System (LMS) accessible via web and mobile applications.
The platform must offer 24/7 access to high-definition pre-recorded video lessons featuring animations, interactive trainee dashboards, and academic and technical support through a toll-free helpline.
Authorities have clearly stipulated that screen-recorded sessions or freely available online content will not be accepted.
Officials emphasized that enrollment will be strictly limited to eligible beneficiaries verified through district-level scrutiny by the welfare Board.
Login credentials will be issued only after authentication of beneficiary status to prevent misuse of the scheme.
The selected training provider will also be mandated to establish a dedicated call center to manage student mobilization, counseling, onboarding, and technical support throughout the duration of the program, ensuring effective implementation and continuous assistance to participants.