Smile Foundation and Berger Paints India have launched a free training programme for painters in Coimbatore named ‘iTrain on Wheels’. The initiative was inaugurated in the city today.
The inauguration was held today at Coimbatore Berger Paints Depo, Mettupalayam Road, Thudiyalur.
This marks the second such project in Tamil Nadu. Earlier this week, another iTrain on Wheels project was launched in Mysuru, which is the second such initiative in Karnataka.
Berger Paints India and Smile Foundation joined hands in 2021 to implement the iTrain on Wheels programme. The upskilling initiative aims to enhance the skills of unorganised paint applicators (household painters) by training them in contemporary painting techniques, thereby improving their employability and income opportunities.
Each iTrain on Wheels mobile unit is equipped with audio-visual tools, practical training booths, and mechanised equipment to demonstrate painting processes in a more efficient, quicker, cleaner, and safer manner. Certified and experienced trainers with industry expertise and technical competence are deployed for each project.
The courses include both theoretical and practical training in new techniques, the use of mechanised equipment, and sessions on entrepreneurial and soft skills. Special modules on wood polishing, decorative painting, and body language are also part of the curriculum. The entire training is provided free of cost, and painters receive modern skill training near their homes or workplaces.
The training facilities are designed as equal-opportunity, gender-sensitive spaces that encourage women painters to participate in the upskilling process and improve their livelihoods. Paint applicators receive the training free of cost across 26 states and three Union Territories.
So far, the iTrain on Wheels initiative has trained 3.15 lakh paint applicators across the country. The programme is currently operational in 503 districts, including 51 aspirational districts, across 26 states and three Union Territories.
Abhijit Roy, MD and CEO of Berger Paints India, said, “By empowering paint applicators, especially in small towns and villages, we are investing in their future and helping them build better lives for themselves and their families. We are proud to be part of their journey towards a brighter tomorrow.”
Santanu Mishra, Co-founder and Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation, said, “Skill development plays a crucial role in the nation’s economic and social advancement. India faces a pressing need for skilled workers. We are thankful to Berger Paints India for its trust and partnership in this unique CSR initiative, which is gradually expanding across India.”
Awards for the program
Earlier this month, the iTrain on Wheels initiative won the Business Insight Social Entrepreneurship Project of the Year award for its impactful work across the country. Over the past two years, it has also received recognition from the Indian Chamber of Commerce, the Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Indian Business Award, the Bharat CSR & Sustainability Award, and the ImpactRoots Award for its transformative contribution to society.
This program increases the painters’ income
An independent study on the programme indicates that, apart from improved technological knowledge and enhanced confidence, beneficiaries have experienced positive lifestyle changes. As many as 73% of respondents reported increased spending on vegetables and other nutritious food items, reflecting a greater focus on family health and well-being.
Additionally, 74 % of respondents reported purchasing a vehicle, indicating improved financial stability and enhanced ability to fulfil personal aspirations following completion of the iTrain programme. There has also been a corresponding increase in expenditure across various areas related to family welfare.
