PROGRESS OF THE NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP PROMOTION SCHEME (NAPS)
PROGRESS OF THE NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP PROMOTION SCHEME (NAPS)
The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) aims to promote apprenticeship training across the country. Launched in August 2016, the scheme is currently being implemented under its second phase, namely NAPS-2, since FY 2022-23. Under NAPS-2, the Government shares partial stipend support, limited to 25% of the minimum prescribed stipend payable to apprentices, subject to a maximum of ₹1,500 per apprentice per month during the training period. The stipend support is disbursed directly to the bank accounts of apprentices through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism. This scheme is governed by the Apprentices Act, 1961, and the rules made thereunder. The number of apprentices engaged under the scheme during the last five financial years, year-wise, is as follows:
Table-1
Financial Year
Apprentices Engaged
(In lakhs)
(1)
(2)
2020-21
3.08
2021-22
5.90
2022-23
7.39
2023-24
9.32
2024-25
9.85
As per the Third-Party Evaluation of NAPS-2.0 conducted by Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management (AJNIFM), around 72% of apprentices surveyed reported receiving offers of full-time employment after completion of apprenticeship training. This suggests that apprenticeship training facilitates the transition from training to employment. The evaluation further indicates that, depending on workforce requirements and business conditions, apprenticeships are increasingly being utilised by industry as a pipeline for future workforce requirements across establishments and sectors.
The Government continues to promote participation of women under NAPS, which has resulted in a gradual increase in their engagement over the years. As per the evaluation report, the number of women apprentices increased from about 0.56 lakh in FY 2020-21 to around 2.25 lakh in FY 2024-25, reflecting improved gender inclusion in apprenticeship training. The number of women apprentices engaged under the scheme during the last five financial year-wise is as follows:
Table-2
Financial Year
Women Apprentices Engaged
(In lakhs)
(1)
(2)
2020-21
0.56
2021-22
1.24
2022-23
1.49
2023-24
1.97
2024-25
2.25
This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Shri Jayant Chaudhary in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
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