Triveni Goswami Vernal
(Registered Special Educator: A64010)
In my series on Vocational Training for neuro-diverse individuals, I have previously written about Pre-Vocational Training, Vocational Assessment and the various Types of Vocational Training and Employment, and Provisions available for Vocational Training under the RPWD Act (2016). In my blog today, I would like to share resources on Self-Employment opportunities (that can be set up for a Neurodiverse individual or a Person with Disabilities, by their family/caregivers). I will be looking at a few opportunities in this blog and a few others, in my next blog.
1) CANDLE MAKING: Candle making can be a lucrative profession, especially during the festivities of Diwali and Christmas. But it must always be done under the careful supervision of an adult or a mentor, with all the safety precautions taken. There are various types of Candles that one can make—Soy wax candles, Gel candles, Paraffin wax candles etc

Source: https://www.savvyhomemade.com/candle-making-beginners/
There are several online courses available on Candle making:
https://iisdt.in/product/diploma-in-candle-making/
https://test.mscd.gov.tt/courses/soap-and-candle-making/
https://alippo.com/course/candle-making
https://candlemould.com/10-candle is a website that caters to a lot of the raw materials required for candle making.
2) CHOCOLOATE MAKING: Chocolate making is also another skill that can be taught to an individual, under expert supervision. Since chocolate involves working with heat and melting, proper precautions need to be taken. Chocolate making also involves several steps. So, the individual may be involved in all the steps, from chopping the ingredients, to tempering, to pouring it in the moulds, unmoulding, wrapping it in foil, labelling and packaging. Or, the individual maybe involved partially in some of the steps that he or she might be most confident in. It is important to see where the individual’s interests lie and what he/she can do, with minimal assistance over time.

Source:https://www.idea2makemoney.com/chocolate-making-business-beginners
Online courses on Chocolate Making:
https://alippo.com/course/chocolate-making/7119501?utm_source=website&utm_medium=secondary-navbar
https://www.hunarcourses.com/chocolate-making-course
https://bakedemy.com/online-chocolate-making-course/
https://www.chocolate-academy.com/en/learning/on-demand-courses
https://www.bakewala.com/baking-supplies-ingredients/chocolate-ingredients has ingredients available for chocolate making
DISCLAIMER:
***Do check the validity of the information shared on the websites, before deciding to enrol in any of the courses***
There are certain things that need to be kept in mind before setting up a formal business. Till the time, it is just a hobby, one can perhaps sell via word of mouth, through social media but to establish a formal business venture, steps should be taken to apply for a Trade License, a GST registration, and a MSME Registration /Udyog Aadhar. Addition to these, for Chocolate Making, the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) Registration, is mandatory.
Thus, we see that the possibilities are endless, but one needs to choose a vocation that fits the individual’s needs and interests. In my subsequent blogs, I will be looking at Baking, Block Printing, Jewellery Making, Crafts, Art based merchandise etc., as options for Self-Employment opportunities for Neurodiverse Individuals.
RESOURCES:
https://alippo.com/course/chocolate-making/7119501?utm_source=website&utm_medium=secondary-navbar
https://www.hunarcourses.com/chocolate-making-course
https://bakedemy.com/online-chocolate-making-course/
https://www.chocolate-academy.com/en/learning/on-demand-courses
https://www.bakewala.com/baking-supplies-ingredients/chocolate-ingredients
https://www.idea2makemoney.com/chocolate-making-business-beginners
https://iisdt.in/product/diploma-in-candle-making/
https://test.mscd.gov.tt/courses/soap-and-candle-making/
https://alippo.com/course/candle-making
https://candlemould.com/10-candle
https://www.fssai.gov.in/cms/licensing.php
https://eudyogaadhaar.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIs_325pvmggMVc6pmAh2SswnoEAAYASAAEgKOI_D_BwE
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Author Triveni Goswami Vernal
Triveni Goswami Vernal is an Autism advocate, registered Special Educator (CRR A64010) and an Independent Researcher. Her areas of interest include Autism, Disability Rights, Gender, Art and Northeast studies. She is a mum to an 12 year old on the Autism Spectrum.
The creative representation for this blog is done by artist Kabir Vernal