NITI Aayog Calls For Mainstreaming Apprenticeships, Greater MSME Participation

New Delhi, Aug 19 (KNN) NITI Aayog has called for making apprenticeships a mainstream pathway from education to employment, with greater participation from MSMEs, unified digital access and stronger industry alignment as part of its roadmap for a skilled workforce under Viksit Bharat @ 2047.

Apprenticeship Participation Remains Uneven

In its report, Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat @ 2047, the policy think tank said schemes such as the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) have expanded access, but participation remains uneven and apprenticeship opportunities are fragmented across multiple platforms.

The report noted that only around 32,000 of nearly 60 million registered MSMEs had engaged apprentices under NAPS, while just 8.5 percent of ITI trainees took up apprenticeships in 2018.

NITI Aayog said limited awareness of credible opportunities and inadequate industry exposure remain key challenges, with around 80 percent of learners citing lack of practical experience as a major gap in their degrees.

Unified Digital Window for Apprenticeships

The report recommended a unified State-level platform integrating central and State apprenticeship programmes with the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH). It could provide verified information on roles, eligibility and stipends while reducing fragmentation.

Apprenticeship data on occupations, qualifications, locations and stipends could also help States identify priority sectors and align training capacity.

Incentives Proposed to Boost MSME Participation

NITI Aayog also recommended targeted incentives for MSMEs to offset onboarding and administrative costs.

Additional government stipend support, simplified contracting processes and performance-linked financing models such as Apprenticeship Impact Bonds could help increase participation among smaller enterprises.

State Skill Data Platforms Proposed

The report proposed government-led State Skill Data Platforms integrating information on training infrastructure, local job demand, wages, apprenticeships and placement outcomes.

The platforms could link with national databases such as e-Shram, UDISE+, National Career Service, EPFO and apprenticeship portals through standardised State-level data frameworks.

Unified Digital Platform for Job Discovery

NITI Aayog recommended a unified digital job platform under Skill DX to aggregate opportunities from government programmes, private employers and gig platforms. 

It would offer flexible, part-time and hyperlocal jobs, including opportunities for students and women. 

Digital Portfolios and Skill Passbooks

The report proposed a digital portfolio for blue- and grey-collar workers to showcase their work through photos, videos and supervisor endorsements. A verified Skill Passbook could integrate skills, credentials and work experience to improve job matching and provide real-time alerts.

NITI Aayog recommended leveraging existing state and national digital platforms to speed implementation and avoid duplication.

(KNN Bureau)