The Ministry of Human Resource Development has recently launched the “Scheme for Higher Education Youth in Apprenticeship and Skills (SHREYAS)”. The main purpose of this scheme is to provide industry apprenticeship opportunities to those general graduates stepping out into the job market in April 2019. This will be achieved through the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). The focus is on enhancing employability in Indian youth by offering a hands-on work exposure and an opportunity to earn a stipend.
SHREYAS Scheme Aims
This scheme is directed towards students enrolled in degree courses, primarily non-technical ones, with the intention of integrating employable skills into their educational journey. Further promotional efforts would be made to make apprenticeship a fundamental part of education. The SHREYAS portal serves as a platform for educational institutions and industries to state their respective apprenticeship supply and demand. The matching process of students with potential apprenticeships will be conducted based on preset eligibility criteria. These courses will be available to the students starting from the academic year April-May 2019. Over 40 higher educational institutions are already linked for offering embedded apprenticeship courses. This scheme will be put into action under the coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Ministry of Labour.
National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)
NAPS was initially commenced on 19th August 2016 to promote apprenticeship training and enhance the engagement of apprentices. It has since replaced the Apprentice Protsahan Yojna (APY). NAPS constitutes two significant components:
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Aims of the Scheme
The primary objectives of the scheme are to increase student employability by incorporating employment-relevant learning into the higher education system, establish a sustainable link between academics and industry/service sectors, provide students with in-demand skills in a dynamic manner, introduce an ‘earn while you learn’ system into higher education, assist businesses/industries in obtaining quality manpower, and link students with government’s job-facilitating methods.
Stakeholders of the Scheme
The main stakeholders of this scheme include institutions, Sector Skill Councils (SSCs), and the Ministry of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). Higher educational institutions will explain the scheme to final-year students. SSCs, which are set up as autonomous industry-led bodies by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), will identify industries for apprenticeship and conduct assessments leading to certification. MSDE will monitor and finance the programme, disburse the claims from the business enterprises towards stipend reimbursement, and supervise the ongoing efforts of SSCs. They will also progressively introduce new SSCs to the SHREYAS fold. MSDE and MHRD will have a dynamic relationship and regular information sharing to ensure the program’s success.