Skill connect road show: ‘Deployment of apprentices in services sector compulsory now’

To raise awareness on reforms in apprenticeship laws in India, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) hosted the ‘Apprenticeship Connect Workshop’ in Lucknow on Friday.

It was the second workshop in a series of ‘Skill Connect Road Shows’ that highlight new industry-savvy reforms. The workshop also presented the ‘National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)’, in which financial support has been extended by the government to corporates organising apprenticeships.

The event aimed at facilitating the industry, including the service sector now, to design its own courses according to specific requirements for creating an industry-ready skilled workforce. Local industry associations, companies, representatives from the state and central governments and training providers participated in it.

Speaking at the workshop, Jayant Krishna, executive director and chief operating officer NSDC said, “With sweeping business-friendly reforms and introduction of industry-led optional trades to be administered through the National Skill Development Corporation and the Sector Skill Councils, it is a win-win opportunity for corporates to embrace the apprenticeship regime under the Skill India Mission.”

“Deployment of apprentices in service sector has also been made compulsory now. To bring respect and dignity to apprentices and cover their basic needs, the stipend payable has been directly linked to minimum wages at the state level (70% of minimum wages in year 1 and 80% in year 2),” said Krishna. 

He said the duration of apprenticeship had also been changed. “It will would now be of six months (minimum) to two years (maximum) of duration. Restriction on deployment of apprentices from outside the state has been removed and candidates are now allowed to seek apprenticeship in any unit in India,” he said.

He also spoke about the recently launched apprenticeship portal, where all companies are required to publish their trade-wise requirement of apprentices. “Apprentices will also be encouraged to apply online,” said Krishna, adding that the apprenticeship contract approval would also be done online.

“This will enable online interaction among applicants, companies, NSDC, SSCs and other stakeholders,” he said. Companies would also publish apprenticeship details on the portal instead of submitting reports to the government, he said.

The Skill Connect Road Shows aim at increasing awareness on various skill-promoting initiatives of the state and central governments. The road shows are being rolled out through a series of apprenticeship workshops and seminars in over 25 locations across India.