Clean cooking workforce skills in India enhanced through Training of Trainer (ToT) Programme on Clean Cookstove Sales and Maintenance Executive

By Kumar Satyam (Finovista).

The Training of Trainer (ToT) Programme on Clean Cookstove Sales and Maintenance Executive was successfully held from 11th to 14th June 2024. Funded by the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) Programme and organised through its in-country partner Finovista, in association with the Skill Council of Green Jobs (SCGJ), this programme aimed to facilitate, train, and certify the technical workforce in India. The training aligns with the National Occupation Standards for the job role of Clean Cookstove Sales and Maintenance Executive as per the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF). Twenty participants from different organisations completed the training and received their Trainer Certificates.

The programme featured expert trainers; including Mr. Amit Singh from the JEEViKA who presented a case study of Bihar, highlighting specific challenges and strategies in clean cooking adoption and successful demand aggregation through women clean cooking champions in Bodh Gaya Bihar. The Clean Cooking Champions model exemplifies effective grassroots initiatives, showcasing local leadership and community engagement. Mr. Ankur Agarwal, General Manager & Head of Marketing at TTK Prestige Ltd highlighted the challenges in eCooking product sales, including market penetration, consumer awareness, affordability, and technical support. He emphasized the importance of quality assurance, customer feedback, robust support services, and effective maintenance to ensure customer satisfaction and trust. Their insights and expertise greatly enriched the training experience. This initiative marks a significant step towards building a skilled workforce capable of advancing clean cooking solutions across the country.