The Department of Handicrafts, Textile & Coir has been established by delinking Training-Cum-Production centers attached to the State Directorate of Craftsman Training vide Notification No. 23/1/87- GA&C(Vol.II)/1492dated 09-05-2013. Further the Notification amending the business of Government of Goa(Allocation) Rules 1987 has been published in Official Gazette under Series 1, No. 7dated 16/05/2013.

The Department implements two schemes namely, “Vishwakarma Kaushal Yojana” and “Swavalamban Yojana for Handicrafts Artisans”. This Department under the scheme “VishwakarmaKaushal Yojana” conducts training in various handicrafts, textile and coir trades like Tailoring & Embroidery, Bamboo Craft, Pottery Craft, Coir Spinning & Weaving, Handloom Weaving, Wood Carving & Carpentry, Batik Printing, and such other traditional trades in order to create employment opportunity for the target groups from the marginalized social strata such as women, SC, ST, OBC, persons with disability and school drop outs. The scheme further imparts training to the existing traditional artisans to expertise their skill. The scheme also provides to sponsor the candidates for the training courses/Diploma courses in various handicrafts, textile and coir trades in the Institutions functioning outside Goa.

Under the Scheme “Swavalamban Yijana for Handicrafts Artisans”, Department provide handholding support to the trained artisans to practice the handicrafts trade and attain perfection in producing the marketable products. The scheme also provides financial assistance to artisans to market their handicrafts items during the exhibitions conducts by various Government and Non-Government Organizations at state/ national and international level.