Latest news with #NATS
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How a massive overhaul of UK airspace promises to cut flight times and delays
Faster flights and fewer delays have been promised in the largest redesign of UK airspace in seven decades, as the government drives plans to change flight paths. New laws have been set out in Parliament on Monday 2 June to open up new and more direct flight routes for planes arriving and departing the UK's airspace. The airspace has not seen a change on this scale since it was first formed in the 1950s, when only 200,000 flights traversed it per year. Currently, 2.7 million flights use the UK's flight paths and global forecasts expect a near doubling of passengers and cargo in the next 20 years. Airlines such as easyJet have complained that inefficient use of airspace contributes to increases in fuel consumption, carbon emissions and flight times. While it said this is a universal issue, the 'greatest inefficiencies' are generated during its operations in the UK. Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent at The Independent, said: "The skies of the UK, especially in southeast England, are the busiest in the world – and yet planes are still flying on paths devised in the 1950s. 'Imagine Britain in 2025 without the motorway network, and you get the idea. 'The trouble is: airspace modernisation can't happen overnight, and there will be some noisy objections from people who fear they will get more noise." The Department for Transport (DfT) has stated that noise and air pollution will be reduced for residents who live along flight routes, as the redesigned 'skyways' could allow for planes to climb quickly during take-off and descend more smoothly. It also said that travellers can expect less disruption to flights and shorter journey times due to increased capacity in the air. A reduction of emissions per flight resulting from planes circling the airport waiting for a slot to land can also be expected. The DfT and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) established the UK Airspace Design Service earlier this year after a consultation process in 2024. The service's first focus will be on redesigning London's airspace, with the DfT stating that the expansion of Heathrow alone will create 100,00 jobs, drive economic growth and strengthen its position as a global hub. It is not just commercial flights that may benefit from a flight path redesign, as the UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) could also design routes for emerging technologies such as drones and flying taxis. The DfT said this would be in aid of 'spurring British innovation and delivering highly skilled jobs in the tech space'. The new UKADS will be fully operational by the end of 2025 and will be run by the air traffic control service NATS. Martin Rolfe, CEO of NATS, said: 'The UK's airspace network is one of the busiest and most complex in the world. We handle a quarter of Europe's traffic despite having only 11 per cent of its airspace, with one of the best safety and delay records anywhere. 'However, we have to modernise airspace if we are to maintain this level of performance as traffic grows towards 3 million flights per year. 'The government's announcement to create a UK Airspace Design Service is a crucial step, building on the work we've already completed in other parts of the UK. 'We look forward to working with the government and the CAA to finalise the details regarding the best way to implement the plan and the processes required to ensure UKADS is successful.'
India Today
28-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Apprentices may get 30% higher stipend as central council proposes major hike
To support skill development and stop dropout among apprentices, the Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) on Monday recommended increasing monthly stipends by 30% under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS).The proposal was made during the 38th CAC meeting, which was chaired by Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). The proposal is to enhance the attractiveness and economically feasible nature of the apprenticeship programme among students, especially considering rising living approval, the stipend range will rise from the current Rs 5,000 - Rs9,000 to Rs 6,800 - Rs 12,300. This move will be a relief for technical as well as non-technical apprentices, providing greater economic support and motivation for completing their training. Worth mentioning, the stipend will also be revised based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), leading to automatic revision after each two years based on inflation and pay THE GLOBAL APPRENTICESHIP GAPThe minister noted that India's apprenticeship engagement percentage is a paltry 0.27%, far from 4% in developed nations. The hike in stipends is among the steps being taken to bridge this gap and promote industry PM-NAPS, over 43.47 lakh apprentices have been trained across 36 states and UTs with 20% participation by women. Likewise, the NATS scheme has onboarded 5.23 lakh graduate and diploma apprentices in 2024-25 CAC also thought of expanding Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDPs), where classroom learning is combined with formal on-the-job training, making students more job-ready compared to regular reforms include merging the vocational training through the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) with apprenticeship for improved academic and industrial transition for revision final approval is pending as of now.
Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Central Apprenticeship Council proposes 36% stipend hike for youth: what it means for students
The Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC), on Monday recommended a 36% increase in apprentice stipends under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS). Announced during the 38th CAC meeting chaired by Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), the proposal aims to bridge the gap between education and employment while lowering dropout rates and expanding industry participation. Once approved, the stipend would increase from the current Rs 5,000 – Rs 9,000 range to Rs 6,800 – Rs 12,300. This hike is aimed not only at reducing dropout rates, but also improving program attractiveness, and address the financial limitations that prevent many from continuing their apprenticeships. This upward revision would also be automatically adjusted every two years, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), aligning with national salary cycles and ensuring that stipends remain relevant in the face of inflation, according to the statement released. 'The Central Apprenticeship Council's stipend increase is a welcome move and a strategic investment in India's human capital, directly addressing key challenges in apprenticeship uptake and retention. This enhanced financial support empowers more youth, particularly those from non-metro cities, to fully commit to rigorous training, reducing financial barriers that often lead to dropouts,' said Abhimanyu Saxena, Co-Founder of Scaler, an online upskilling platform for working tech professionals, focusing on software engineering. The government's proposal comes amid persistent concerns over dropout rates and poor apprenticeship penetration. With India's apprenticeship engagement at just 0.27% of the workforce, compared to 3-4% in developed nations, financial support is seen as a key lever for improving retention and encouraging participation. 'Despite notable progress, India's apprenticeship engagement remains significantly below global benchmarks. The stipend hike is a vital incentive to attract and retain talent in skilling programs,' noted Dr. Nipun Sharma, CEO of TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, a public-private partnership program that blends academic study with work experience. According to the statement, dropout prevention was central to the CAC's agenda. By making apprenticeships financially viable, especially for students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds, the stipend revision is expected to encourage sustained participation across diverse sectors. Students in both technical and non-technical streams stand to gain. Under schemes like PM-NAPS, over 43.47 lakh apprentices have been engaged across 36 States and UTs, and female participation has touched 20%. The NATS scheme, targeting graduates and diploma holders, enrolled 5.23 lakh apprentices in the year 2024-25 alone. This stipend hike provides greater financial security to continue apprenticeships without interruption, improved job-readiness through exposure to real-world work environments and an overall increased higher appeal of vocational education, especially with rising cost-of-living in cities. 'Efficiency of production in India holds the key to how quickly we surpass global competitors. The skill level in many trades is still below global standards, and this increase is small but a welcome step,' said Dr VP Singh, Program Director at Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon. A major thrust of the CAC's discussion also focused on enhancing Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDPs). These integrate classroom learning with structured on-the-job training, offering a credible alternative to purely academic degrees. Reforms also include simultaneous notification of Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) and apprenticeship programs, ensuring better curricular alignment and smoother transitions for vocational learners. 'Our vision is to ensure every young person, regardless of background, gets a fair shot at a meaningful career through hands-on learning and industry exposure,' emphasised Minister Jayant Chaudhary, according to the statement.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Central Apprenticeship Council Hikes Stipend for Apprentices: A 30% Increase Announced, ETHRWorld
Advt Advt Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals Subscribe to our newsletter to get latest insights & analysis. Download ETHRWorld App Get Realtime updates Save your favourite articles Scan to download App New Delhi: The Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) chaired by Union Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Jayant Chaudhary on Monday decided to increase the minimum monthly stipend payable to apprentices under two schemes, from Rs 5,000-Rs 9,000 across five bands at present to Rs 6,800-Rs 12,300 once the proposed hike is revision of apprentice stipends is proposed to be automatically adjusted biennially based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), aligning with the salary increment cycle in July, officials said"We have two schemes. Under the PM-National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme ( PM-NAPS ) the government's contribution is Rs 1,500 or 25 per cent of the stipend amount whereas the government contributes 50 per cent of the stipend amount under National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS). The present stipend rates are from Rs 5,000 to Rs 9,000 under the five bands. This has now been increased to Rs 6,800 to Rs 12,300," an official told the NAPS comes under the administrative control of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the NATS is implemented by the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education."The highest band is Rs 9,000. We have proposed to increase it to Rs 12,300. There are five bands. For the lowest brand, the proposed increase is from Rs 5,000 to 6,800 and the highest was 9,000 to 12,300," said another the media after chairing the Central Apprenticeship Council meeting, the Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship informed regarding the decisions taken."The first thing is the stipend increase upwards of even 30 per cent in the various categories, stipend has been increased, which will provide a benefit to the industry and also the young people of our country. As you know, India is running the world's largest apprenticeship programme, and apprenticeship whether it's through national apprenticeship promotion scheme or it is through NAT scheme, which is done by the Higher Education Ministry, opens up a clear pathway for younger people to engage with industry and to become employable and get jobs," said the shared that another important issue which was deliberated upon was the capacity to do pure, online, blended apprenticeship programmes, specifically in some of the new domains like AI, green tech and other new sectors where there are new possibilities for employment."There was an idea that we can form working groups to look at and deliberate on various domains going forward," said 38th CAC meeting proposed to replace the existing list of industries (1987 code) with one aligned to NIC Code 2008 thereby expanding the scope of apprenticeship training to include emerging sectors like IT, software services, telecommunications, biotechnology, and renewable energy. Any future updates in the industrial classification will automatically reflect in the apprenticeship rules, said officials present in the a significant agenda item in the CAC meeting was the promotion of apprenticeship embedded education programmes, including the introduction of new definitions such as "Degree Apprenticeship", "Institution", "UGC", and "Contractual Staff", to align educational curricula with on-the-job training Council also proposed enabling employers to deliver basic and practical training through online, virtual, or blended modes, ensuring flexibility in learning without compromising the quality or compliance with centrally-approved syllabi, officials the meeting discussed the creation of regional boards at new locations to improve the administration and outreach of NATS and regulate the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP), necessitating the insertion of a new clause in the apprenticeship rules, they Council also emphasized on inclusivity by proposing the insertion of a definition for "Person with Benchmark Disability" in line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act. It recommended that trades or subject fields specify their suitability for persons with benchmark disabilities and reserve training places accordingly, promoting equitable access and participation in apprenticeship 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, and active participation from more than 51,000 establishments, enhanced outreach across districts and social groups, and renewed alignment with futuristic sectors through PM-NAPS and NATS schemes.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Skill ministry proposes 36% hike in stipend for apprentices under NAPS
In a move to curb dropout rates among apprentices, the ministry of skills development and entrepreneurship (MSDE) has proposed a 36 per cent increase in stipend under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS). Besides, it also recommended linking the stipend to the consumer price index, thus leading to bi-annual revision in stipend rates. The proposals were recommended at the 38th meeting of the Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) under the aegis of Jayant Chaudhary, minister of state (independent charge), MSDE on Monday. The proposals will now be sent to the union cabinet for approval. The proposals, once approved by the cabinet, would increase the stipend in the range of Rs 6800-Rs 12,300 as against the existing Rs 5,000- Rs 9,000. "The aim is to reduce dropout rates and attract more candidates to undertake apprenticeship training,' MSDE said in a statement issued after the meeting. The CAC meeting also proposed replacing the existing list of industries (1987 code) with one aligned to national industrial classification (NIC) Code 2008 thereby expanding the scope of apprenticeship training to include emerging sectors like IT, software services, telecommunications, biotechnology, and renewable energy. 'Apprenticeship is not just a skilling mechanism, it is a bridge that connects education, industry, and employment, especially for our rural youth. With NAPS and NATS as pillars supported by a strong legal framework, we are actively reforming the system to make it more inclusive, responsive, and aspirational,' Jayant Chaudhary said. The council also deliberated on promotion of apprenticeship embedded education programmes, including the introduction of new definitions such as 'degree apprenticeship,' 'institution,' 'UGC,' and 'contractual staff,' to align educational curricula with on-the-job training requirements. Besides, it also proposed enabling employers to deliver basic and practical training through online, virtual, or blended modes, ensuring flexibility in learning without compromising the quality or compliance with centrally approved curriculum. Further, discussions were held on the creation of regional boards at new locations to improve the administration and outreach of the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) and regulate the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP), necessitating the insertion of a new clause in the Apprenticeship Rules. Apprenticeship training in India is imparted under the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS), which is administered by the ministry of education and the Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), run by MSDE. Under the PM-National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS) the government's contribution is Rs 1,500 or 25% of the stipend amount whereas it is 50% of the stipend amount under National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) Latest data shows that since 2020-21, 3.55 million apprentices have been engaged under NAPS while 1.29 million have been engaged under NATS, taking the total number of apprentices engaged in the country to 4.84 million in five years till 2024-25.
