Govt to direct transfer stipend payment to apprentices: Pradhan

Addressing at the launch of the National Apprenticeship Mela across 700 locations in the country, the Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister said going forward, the melas (apprenticeship fairs) will be a monthly affair and the endeavour is to ensure that more than 10 lakh trainees engage with corporates as apprentices.

“The Government of India will directly transfer its contribution of Rs 1,500 in the bank account of apprentices. The company will also transfer the stipend amount directly,” Pradhan said.

The minister also informed that academic credit will be awarded to apprentices which can be used for future pathways.

Over 4,000 organisations from more than 30 industries, including power, retail, telecommunications, IT/ITeS, electronics, automotive, and others, participated in the event.

Individuals having a 5th-12th grade pass certificate, a skill training certificate, ITI Diploma, or a graduate degree were eligible to participate in the PM Apprenticeship Mela.

The main objective of the programme is to encourage the hiring of approximately 1 lakh apprentices and to assist employers in identifying and developing their potential through training and practical skillsets.

In addition, the young and aspiring workforce was given a choice of 500+ trades, including welder, electrician, housekeeper, beautician, mechanic, and others.

They were given on-the-spot apprenticeship offers with monthly stipends as per the government standards.

Following this, they will get monthly stipend as per the Government standards for developing new skills, an opportunity to earn while they learn. The candidates will get certificates, recognized by National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), increasing the chances of their employability after the training, an official statement said.

Speaking at the launch, Pradhan said, “After 34 years we have a New Education Policy in place which is a roadmap for India’s transformation in this AmritKaal. Academic credit will be awarded to apprentices which can be used for future pathways. We have to make apprenticeship a participatory movement to skill, re-skill and up-skill young India, boost per capita economic productivity and drive national missions.”

He said going forward the PM National Apprenticeship Mela will be a monthly affair.

“A digital dashboard will be set-up to further streamline the apprenticeship process and connect our youth with relevant opportunities in the 21st century. Our endeavour will be to ensure that more than 10 lakh trainees engage with corporates as apprentices and capitalize on this opportunity to earn while they learn and find their gateway into the industry,” Pradhan added.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said, “The Apprenticeship model should also be taken as an important feedback mechanism from the industry to make the ecosystem more demand driven and impactful. PM National Apprenticeship Melas will serve as a strong platform to connect industry with youth.”

The National Policy of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 2015 launched by the Prime Minister on July 15, 2015, recognises apprenticeship as a means to provide gainful employment to skilled workforce with adequate compensation.