Apprenticeships for small and medium enterprises in the manufacturing sector

“Apprenticeships create future-ready trained professionals and thereby help us to achieve higher productivity through improved work performance. This eventually helps in nation building”, says with Mr. Sajeev Kumar S, Business Head, SAHI.ai.

To learn more and understand the relevance of apprenticeships in the current scenario, especially in the manufacturing sector, importance of NAPS, its benefits, etc. we conversed with Mr. Sajeev Kumar S, Business Head, SAHI.ai. Continue reading as we delve deeper into apprenticeships for small and medium enterprises in the manufacturing sector.

Below are a few excerpts from the conversation, you can watch the full video on our YouTube channel.

Q: Why is this model of training through apprenticeship crucial for small and medium businesses in India?

A: With the introduction of NAPS (National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme), Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from all the sectors are exploring the opportunities to build capacity by attracting young talent. Unlike the past, employers now have a reason to design on-the-job training curriculum based on specific requirement through optional trades as well. Eventually, this has motivated more SMEs to provide training to candidates who aspired to undergo skill-based training. There is also financial incentive which is one of the reasons that prompts employers to provide apprenticeship training. So, if we look at the benefits of learning by earning and by combining formal education with hands-on experience, apprenticeship skills the youth and provide opportunities for self-growth that contributes to the country’s economy.

From the SME perspective, while recruiting an apprenticeship, it enables employers to fill the gap within the workforce as apprenticeships begin to learn sector-specific skills from day one.

Q: Currently, what is the scope of capacity building in the MSME sector, particularly in the manufacturing?

A: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises contribute nearly eight percent of the country’s GDP, 45 percent of the manufacturing output and 40 percent of the exports. They provide the largest share of employment after agriculture. However, the required skill set and lack of readily available skilled and trained man force are of a big concern to the industry. So, if we look at the whole ecosystem, NAPS helps the candidates to get into a specialized skill through on-the-job training.

There is also an opportunity for candidates to earn while they learn. In addition to this, they are being endorsed with an industry cum government recognized certification. From the employer perspective, it increases their confidence of deploying trained and certified candidates on the shopfloor, which gives them a unique advantage over others.

Q: What are the benefits of engaging apprentices through NAPS (for MSMEs in manufacturing)?

A: NAPS is a scheme launched by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) to promote apprenticeship training. Apprenticeship aids in creating a gainful employment in the industry for the trained manpower as well as for a fresh candidate. So, NAPS programme is being delivered at client facility or live manufacturing facility. Apprenticeship is being monitored along with the feedback and the candidate is also provided with NAPS certificate.

Specifically, below are the advantages of engaging apprentices –

• Cost-saving
• Have access to better trained and skilled workforce
• Enables employers to fill the gaps within the workforce
• Specialized skills through on-the-job training
• Earn while learning for students
• Government and industry recognized certification

Q: How does the apprenticeship model work? In terms of tangible and intangible ROI?

A: Recruiting apprentices enables employees to fill gaps within the workforce. Government is incentivising employers in terms of basic return of pay up to Rs. 15000/- and there is a flexibility of choosing job role.

Moreover, particular job roles are designed in such a way that the training can be deemed from a period of one to six months to two to three years depending on the nature of apprenticeship programme.

It is cost saving and the industries can have better trained and skilled workforce. Recruiting apprentices enables employers to fill gaps within the work force, as apprentices begin to learn sector-specific skills from day one – developing specialist knowledge that will positively affect the bottom line.

Also Read: Apprenticeship schemes in India: NAPS and NATS https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/apprenticeship-schemes-in-india-naps-and-nats/

Q: Do you wish to share anything else with our audience?

A: I am happy to discuss the benefits of NAPS. It needs to reach to the larger industries as it helps in nation building. It creates future-ready trained professionals and thereby help us to achieve higher productivity through improved work performance.