Skill India on 4 October 2021 will organize a day-long “National Apprenticeship Mela” across 400 locations in India.
The event is being organised with the support of the Directorate General of Training (DGT) and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
The aim of this initiative is to support avenues of employment for nearly one lakh apprentices and also assist employers in tapping the right talent. The impact of such initiative is that it develops an ecosystem of professional training that provides practical skillsets to freshers.
A Mela of Opportunities
The National Apprenticeship Mela will likely have participation from more than 2000 organisations operating in more than 30 sectors including Power, Retail, Telecom, IT/ITeS, Electronics, Automotive and more.
Moreover, the aspirants will get the opportunity to engage and select from more than 500 trades including Welder, Electrician, Housekeeper, Beautician, Mechanic etc.
Apprenticeship Mela comes with multiple benefits for all candidates as it provides a huge opportunity to get apprenticeship offered on the spot and receive direct industry exposure at the earliest.
In fact, during the apprenticeship, the applicants will receive a monthly stipend as per the Government standards for developing new skills; creating an opportunity to earn while they learn. Post apprenticeship, the candidates will get certificates, recognized by National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) that will increase their chances of employability after the training.
Not just applicants, but the establishments participating in the Apprenticeship Mela will also get an opportunity to meet the potential apprentices at a common platform and select the candidates on the spot.
In addition to this, even small-scale industries with minimum four working members can also hire apprentices, increasing the workforce while creating employment avenues.
Who can attend the National Apprenticeship Mela?
The categories for participation in this event range from 5th to 12th pass students, Skill Training Certificate holders, ITI students, Diploma holders and graduates.
Also, it has been notified that the candidates must carry three copies of – resume, all mark sheets and certificates, Photo ID (Aadhar card/Driving License etc.) and three passport size photographs at the respective venues.
Candidates can access more information on this link – https://dgt.gov.in/appmela/ with regard to where the Mela is being held including other details.
National Skill Development Mission
The National Policy of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 2015 was launched in 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Skill Development policy defines apprenticeship as a means to provide gainful employment to a skilled workforce with adequate compensation.
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has undertaken multiple initiatives to increase the number of apprentices hired by enterprises in the country with an aim to fill the gap in supply and demand for a skilled workforce. The objective has been to meet the aspirations of the Indian youth through gaining on-the-job training and securing better opportunities for employment.
National Apprenticeship Mela will provide employment opportunities and training under the Apprentices Act, 1961 supported through National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme.
Continuing the process of skill development, the MSDE provides mechanisms for evaluation of apprentices post the completion of their respective training.
An evaluation through the All India Trade Test (AITT) for National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) is conducted twice a year after completion of Apprenticeship Training. AITT is a skill-oriented evaluation that requires continuous practice, devotion and hard work to succeed. It is done by the Industry and DGT.
Significant reforms by MSDE to Apprenticeship rules
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has implemented several key reforms to Apprenticeship rules for the welfare of Candidates, such as:
- It has increased per limit for engaging apprentices from 10% to 15%
- The size limit of an establishment with a mandatory obligation to engage apprentices has been lowered from 40 to 30.
- Payment of stipend for 1st year has been fixed inspite of amounting them into minimum wages, there has been 10% to 15% hike in stipend for 2nd and 3rd year of apprenticeship.
For Industry the MSDE has implemented the following rules;
- Under National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), the establishments/industry can get reimbursement up to 25% of the stipend paid to the apprentices.
- Duration of apprenticeship training for Optional Trade can be from 6 months to 36 months
- The industry has an option to design and implement its own Apprenticeship training