Apprenticeship the best model of Skilling India: Experts

LUCKNOW: Skill Development through apprenticeship model is a win-win game for both the industry and jobless or under employed youth averred industry veterans and bureaucrats gathered to discuss effective policy measures for Skilling India.

Principal Consultant, Tata Consultancy services (TCS) and Chairperson of the central government's Special Taskforce on Apprenticeship Curriculum Rationalization, Jayant Krishna said that the efficacy of apprenticeship system is the highest among various skilling schemes run by the government.

He said that successive studies have proven that given the hands-on focus during apprenticeship, the industry directly benefits from enhanced skills, higher productivity and better professionalism once apprentices join the workforce. “The payback period is rather short which further strengthens industry’s business case for onboarding of apprentices. Government also benefits since among a large number of skilling schemes, the efficacy of apprenticeship system is invariably the highest” Krishna said.

He pointed out that the youth undoubtedly are the biggest beneficiaries as it substantially improves their employability and market value as well as their capability to become self-employed.

Secretary, Vocational Education and Skill Development, Bhuvnesh Kumar too pointed out that apprenticeship is the most relevant skilling scheme in Indian context and can achieve high employability.

“If executed properly apprenticeship can help provide suitable jobs to a very large number of youths. It has the potential to serve the purpose of both the government which wants to provide jobs and the industry which wants trained and experienced hands” Kumar said.

Minister of State for Vocational & Skill Development, Prof Abhishek Mishra said that skill development has been the focus of his government ever since it came to power. He emphasized the priorities of his government to generate new avenues of skill development. “Our government is very focused on empowering youths through hands-on apprenticeship opportunities in the manufacturing and allied sectors” said Prof Mishra.

Deputy Director General, Apprentice Training, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dr TC Saravanabava said that as part of the central government’s efforts to make things simpler for the industry as well as the youth, a web-based Apprenticeship Portal has been launched recently. He said that the youth from both engineering and non-engineering courses would have many more apprenticeship opportunities in the days to come.

He informed that towards making the apprentices cover their basic necessities, the stipend payable has now been directly linked to minimum wages of semi-skilled category at the state level.