The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has unveiled over 5.5 lakh new apprenticeship opportunities under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). With 1,000 approved courses across 36 sectors, this initiative aims to bridge the gap between education and employment for Indian youth.
NAPS has seen a remarkable increase in engagement, with enrolments tripling to 9,31,368 in FY 2023-24. Maharashtra leads with 2,63,156 participants, followed by Tamil Nadu (1,01,495), Gujarat (83,730), Karnataka (78,444), and Uttar Pradesh (71,444). The scheme is pivotal in enhancing job readiness and capabilities of young talent, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary of MSDE, highlighted that over 32 lakh youth have benefitted from NAPS across 110 industry clusters. The direct benefit transfer (DBT) mechanism has disbursed more than ₹350 crore to apprentices, enhancing the scheme’s effectiveness.
The apprenticeship portal (www.apprenticeshipindia.gov.in) provides a comprehensive platform for candidates to explore job opportunities aligned with their skills and academic qualifications. The scheme mandates companies with 30 or more employees to engage apprentices, fostering a robust apprenticeship ecosystem. With over 47,000 active establishments and a significant increase in women apprentices from 7% to 21%, Skill India’s initiative is set to create a skilled workforce, driving India towards its vision of Viksit Bharat.
