Apprenticeship Training Under Naps

Key Highlights:

• The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), launched in August 2016 and continuing as NAPS-2 since 2022-23, aims to promote apprenticeship training.
• The scheme provides partial stipend support, limited to 25% of the stipend (up to ₹1,500 per month), paid directly to apprentices via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• From 2022-23 to June 2026, over 47.5 lakh apprentices have been engaged under NAPS across more than 45 sectors nationwide.
• The government's share of stipend disbursed across India from FY 2023-24 to June 2026 totals ₹1609.19 Crore.
• Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Melas (PMNAMs) are regularly organized since June 2022 to promote apprenticeship opportunities.
• Establishments employing four or more workers are eligible to engage apprentices, with mandatory engagement for those having thirty or more workers under the Apprentices Act, 1961.

Detailed Insights:

• NAPS focuses on increasing the engagement of apprentices and undertaking capacity building of the apprenticeship ecosystem.
• It also provides advocacy assistance to stakeholders, encouraging enrolment in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
• The Apprentices Act, 1961, provides the legal framework for establishments to utilize their training infrastructure for imparting apprenticeship training.
• On-the-Job Training (OJT) under the scheme helps apprentices become industry-ready, providing a skilled talent pool for employers.
• While employers are not obligated to hire apprentices upon completion of training, the OJT enhances employability.
• Apprenticeship training covers a wide range of Designated and Optional Trades, including specialized trades relevant to the coastal economy.

Key Concepts Involved:

• National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS): A government initiative to boost apprenticeship training and increase the number of apprentices in India.
• Apprentices Act, 1961: The foundational legislation in India that governs and regulates apprenticeship training programs.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): A system where government subsidies are directly transferred to beneficiaries' bank accounts, enhancing transparency.
• Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Melas (PMNAMs): Nationwide events organized to connect youth with apprenticeship opportunities and employers.