“Earn while you learn’ scheme needs to be strengthened to make vocational education and skill training meaningful.” Comment.
“Earn while you learn’ scheme needs to be strengthened to make vocational education and skill training meaningful.” Comment.
Recent National Sample Survey (2023-24) shows only 3.4% of India's workforce has formal vocational training, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen 'earn while you learn' schemes.
Current Status of Earn While You Learn Schemes
- National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) trained over 21.40 lakh apprentices since 2016 with 75% stipend reimbursement to employers
- Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) achieved only 22.16% employment rate among graduates, indicating implementation gaps
- Government allocated ₹2,800 crore for skill development in 2024-25 budget
- Dual System of Training operational in 70 trades across 21 states, combining classroom learning with workplace training
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) certified 1.38 crore workers under informal economy integration
Challenges in Current Framework
- Skills-Industry Mismatch: India Graduate Skill Index 2025 reveals only 42.6% employability rate among vocational graduates
- Limited Industry Partnership: Insufficient collaboration between 11,000+ ITIs and private sector employers
- Quality Infrastructure: Many training centers lack Industry 4.0 equipment and modern facilities
- Financial Constraints: Inadequate stipend amounts discourage participation from economically weaker sections
- Assessment Standardization: Inconsistent evaluation methods across different implementing agencies
Strategies for Strengthening the Scheme
- Enhanced Industry Integration: Mandatory 70:30 industry-institution partnership model with tax incentives for participating companies
- Financial Support Expansion: Increase stipend under SANKALP scheme (currently ₹380 crore allocated) and introduce skill loans
- Infrastructure Modernization: Upgrade 1,000 ITIs with digital labs and IoT-enabled training equipment under PM-DAKSH
- Outcome-Based Funding: Link institutional funding to placement rates and salary benchmarks
- Digital Integration: Launch e-SHRAM portal integration for real-time job matching and career progression tracking
| Scheme Component | Current Status | Proposed Enhancement |
|---|---|---|
| Stipend Amount | ₹1,500-3,000/month | ₹5,000-8,000/month |
| Industry Partnership | 30% participation | 70% mandatory participation |
| Employment Rate | 22% (PMKVY) | Target 60% by 2027 |
Strengthening 'earn while you learn' schemes aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and NEP 2020's emphasis on skill-based education. The Economic Survey 2023-24 emphasizes that effective implementation could address India's skill gap affecting 50 million youth entering the workforce annually.
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