Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP)

The Ministry of Women & Child Development has been administering STEP Scheme since 1986-87 as a ‘Central Sector Scheme. The STEP Scheme aims to provide skills that give employability to women and to provide competencies and skill that enable women to become self-employed/ entrepreneurs. The Scheme is intended to benefit women who are in the age group of 16 years and above across the country. The grant-in-aid under the Scheme is given to institutions/ organizations including NGOs.

• The assistance under STEP Scheme will be available in any sector for imparting skills related to employability and entrepreneurship, including but not limited to the Agriculture, Horticulture, Food Processing, Handlooms, Tailoring, Stitching, Embroidery, Zari, etc., Handicrafts, Computer & IT enabled services along with soft skills and skills for the work place such as Spoken English, Gems & Jewellery, Travel & Tourism, Hospitality.
• The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has revised ‘Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP) Scheme Guidelines in December, 2014.