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Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
New apprenticeship policy to link degrees, raise stipends
Representative image NEW DELHI: Centre has proposed comprehensive reforms to revitalise the apprenticeship ecosystem. Key measures include an inflation-linked hike in stipend rates, from the current Rs 5,000-9,000 to Rs 6,800-12,300, to reduce dropout rates and attract diverse talent. The reforms also formalise Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDP), enabling apprentices to earn recognised degrees alongside practical training. Additionally, the policy aims to enable global deployment of apprentices at overseas client sites and expand training delivery through digital and virtual platforms. These proposals come amid persistent structural challenges within the apprenticeship framework. An official from ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship (MSDE) said, "The proposed stipend increase is essential to curb dropouts and make apprenticeships viable, especially in sectors like technology, manufacturing, and services where living and commuting costs can be prohibitive." A 2022 parliamentary standing committee report recommended convergence through a unified operational and digital infrastructure. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No dark spots, 10 years younger! Just take this from Guardian URUHIME MOMOKO Learn More Undo Industry participation, particularly among small and medium enterprises (SMEs), remains limited due to administrative complexity, compliance burdens, and lack of awareness. Regional disparities persist, with only 1.2% of apprentices from the North-East despite targeted benefits. Female participation, while improving, continues to lag behind overall workforce levels. Fragmentation between ministry of education and MSDE - which run National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) and Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), respectively - has caused duplication and inefficiencies. "We are developing a unified apprenticeship portal to integrate certification, data sharing, and employer outreach. This will simplify processes, reduce compliance friction, and improve access for both apprentices and employers," the official added. The 38th meeting of Central Apprenticeship Council, chaired by Jayant Chaudhary, minister of state (independent charge), MSDE, recently discussed these proposals and charted a forward-looking policy roadmap. The reforms include targeted inclusion measures for women, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and youth from the northeastern region (NER). The official noted: "Expanding participation from under-represented groups, particularly from the North-East and PwDs, is a key priority. The pilot project launched in Mizoram, providing an additional Rs 1,500 monthly stipend to over 26,000 apprentices, highlights our commitment." Formal regulation of AEDPs will allow apprentices to earn recognised degrees alongside hands-on training, strengthening the link between education and industry needs. "Only 0.27% of India's workforce are apprentices, compared to 3% in the UK and Germany. Attrition rates remain high. Inflation-linked stipends and degree-linked apprenticeships will help reduce attrition and sustain a steady talent supply," said Nipun Sharma, CEO, degree apprenticeship, Team Lease. He also pointed out the low female participation, despite sectors like electronics manufacturing and smartphone assembly preferring female workers. On global deployment plan, the official said, "Allowing apprentices to gain experience at overseas client sites will expose them to international standards and prepare them for a competitive global workforce."
India Gazette
25-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary to chair Central apprenticeship council meeting tomorrow
New Delhi [India], May 25 (ANI): The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) will convene the 38th Meeting of the Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) tomorrow at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The Council, reconstituted in October 2024 under the chairmanship of Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSDE, plays a pivotal role in advising the Government on key policies related to apprenticeship training across the country, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said in an official statement on Sunday. The last CAC meeting was held in June 2021. Since then, India's apprenticeship landscape has evolved considerably--with over 43.47 lakh apprentices engaged across 36 States and Union Territories, with active participation from more than 51,000 establishments, enhanced outreach across districts and social groups, and renewed alignment with futuristic sectors through the PM-NAPS and NATS schemes,as per the ministry. The 38th CAC will deliberate on critical reforms including: Digital and virtual mode apprenticeship delivery; Integration of Degree Apprenticeships through rule amendments, including the introduction of new definitions to formally regulate Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDP);Provisions for global deployment of apprentices at client sites; Enhanced stipend rates linked to inflation;Measures to support women, PwDs, and apprentices from NER;Institutional strengthening including setting up of new regional boards. The Council comprises representatives from Central Ministries, State Governments, industry (public and private), academia, labour bodies, and technical experts. Notable members include Chairpersons of BHEL, Indian Oil, Tata Group, Maruti Suzuki, Reliance Industries, NSDC, UGC, AICTE, and senior bureaucrats from Ministries such as Education, Labour, MSME, Railways, and Textiles. State apprenticeship advisors from ten key states and domain experts with experience in education, labour, and industry also serve on the Council. Ahead of the meeting, Chaudhary, Chairman of CAC stated: 'The future of apprenticeships lies at the intersection of education, technology, and opportunity. As we prepare India's youth for a dynamic and inclusive economy, this Council meeting will serve as a catalyst to unlock greater flexibility, global linkages, and institutional coherence in our apprenticeship framework. It is an important step in our journey toward a 'Kushal Bharat, Viksit Bharat'.' The meeting will begin at 10:30 AM at Vigyan Bhawan, with a keynote address by the Minister, followed by discussions on proposed reforms and policy enhancements. Outcomes from the Council are expected to significantly shape India's skilling priorities in the years ahead. Earlier this week, MSDE launched a strategic Apprenticeship Scheme Pilot for the North Eastern Region (NER) in Aizawl, Mizoram, in the presence of Jayant Chaudhary and Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma. The initiative aims to boost apprenticeship adoption across all eight NER states by providing an additional Rs 1,500/month stipend to over 26,000 youth, above the standard NAPS benefit. Backed by a dedicated outlay of Rs 43.94 crore, including funds for awareness and capacity building, the scheme is being implemented by Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) Guwahati and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). It marks a significant step toward mainstreaming skilling opportunities in underserved geographies, promoting mobility, inclusion, and industry-readiness among youth in the region. (ANI)
Hans India
25-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
CAC meet to drive bold apprenticeship reforms: Jayant Chaudhary
As India prepares its youth for a dynamic and inclusive economy, the upcoming Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) meeting will play a crucial role in shaping the country's skilling and apprenticeship framework, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) said on Sunday. Ahead of the meeting on May 26, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary, said the meeting will be a 'catalyst to unlock greater flexibility, global linkages, and institutional coherence' in apprenticeship policies. He added that it marks an important step towards achieving the vision of a 'Kushal Bharat, Viksit Bharat'. The Council was reconstituted in October 2024, with Jayant Chaudhary as its Chairman. It advises the government on major policies and strategies to improve apprenticeship training in India. This will be the first CAC meeting since June 2021, and it comes at a time when the country's apprenticeship ecosystem has seen significant growth. Currently, over 43.47 lakh apprentices are engaged across 36 states and union territories, with active support from more than 51,000 establishments. Outreach has expanded to cover a wide range of social groups and districts, while key programmes like PM-NAPS and NATS have helped align apprenticeship training with emerging sectors and technologies. The 38th CAC meeting will focus on several key reforms. These include introducing digital and virtual modes of apprenticeship, integrating degree apprenticeships by formally recognising Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDP), and allowing apprentices to gain global experience through deployments at client sites. The Council will also discuss increasing stipend rates in line with inflation, and offering greater support to women, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and youth from the North Eastern Region (NER). Another important agenda is the creation of new regional boards to strengthen institutional capacity. Just days before the meeting, MSDE also launched a special Apprenticeship Scheme Pilot for the North Eastern Region in Aizawl, Mizoram. In partnership with the Mizoram government, the initiative offers an extra Rs 1,500 monthly stipend to over 26,000 youth from the region, in addition to standard NAPS benefits. The Rs 43.94 crore project is being implemented by the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) Guwahati and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). This initiative is designed to increase apprenticeship participation in underserved areas and help local youth become industry-ready through better access to skill-building.
