Apprenticeship Connect Workshop in Bangalore to Strengthen Skill Ecosystem through Industry Associations

National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) today hosted ‘Apprenticeship Connect Workshop’ in Bangalore.  The workshop, a part of the Skill Connect Road Show series*, introduced new industry-savvy reforms in Apprenticeship regime.

Industry-driven Reforms Under Apprenticeship
1. Flexibility to industry to engage apprentices in a band of 2.5% to 10% of its workforce 
2. Introduction of ‘optional trades’ with discretion to industry to design  its own courses
3. Industry can outsource Basic Training & collectively undertake on-the-job training
4. Service Sector brought under regime
5. Included Graduates/ Skill Candidates who have undergone NSQF aligned short  term training courses under PMKVY/DDUGKY etc.
6. Financial support to industry under NAPS; Government to reimburse 25% of stipend paid by the corporate to its  apprentices; reimbursement of Basic Training Cost upto Rs 7500/per aprenctice.

The Apprenticeship Connect Workshops are intended to raise awareness about the reforms in the Apprenticeship laws in India making them extremely friendly to facilitate the Industry (including service sector) to come forward and design its own courses as per their specific requirements to create an industry -ready skill force. The participants at the workshop, including local/regional industry associations, companies, representatives from the state & central government and training providers, were introduced to the new Apprenticeship reforms.

The workshop also presented National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), which entails provision of financial support extended by the Government to corporates undertaking apprenticeship.

Jayant Krishna, Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer, National Skill Development Corporation, said, “With sweeping business-friendly reforms and introduction of industry-led optional trades to be administered through National Skill Development Corporation and Sector Skill Councils, it is a win-win opportunity for corporates to embrace the apprenticeship regime under the Skill India Mission.”  

The Skill Connect Road Shows aim to drive awareness about various skilling Initiatives of the State and Central Governments, and is a step to support industry associations in proactive efforts towards building an industry-ready skill force in India, especially under the Apprenticeship Program.  The road show is rolled through a series of Apprenticeship Workshops and Seminars in more than 25 locations across India.