HPKVN organizes Apprenticeship workshop at Baddi University, Himachal Pradesh

Apprenticeships have great scope to attract industry and youth as a proactive way to develop skilled workforce. Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam (HPKVN), in collaboration with National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC) organized a workshop to sensitize the industry and other stakeholders about the benefits of apprenticeship and how they could implement National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS).The workshop was hosted by Baddi University and it had participants from the ITIs, the industry, Sector Skill Councils, academia, students, and officials from HPKVN.

HPKVN Apprenticeship workshop: The proceedings and discussion

Mr. Surajit Roy from National Skills Development Corporation was the key note speaker for the workshop and provided key insights on the provisions of the Apprentice Act. He explained that the Act has been revised to incorporate the industry requirements and that the industry can tailor make the curriculum to suit their specific needs, thus enabling people to acquire new skills. He informed that the government will share the cost of basic training with the basic training providers upto Rs. 7500 for 3 months or 500 hours. The government will also share 25% of the prescribed stipend subject to a maximum of Rs 1500 per month per apprentice.

Deepak Bisht (Siemens) talked about his prior experience and practical challenges faced by industries in taking up apprentices and training them. He emphasized on imparting skill training from school years which would prepare the students at an early stage. He said that the outdated syllabus and training duration are two of the problems faced by industries.

Participation from ITI principals during the workshop on apprenticeships

Principals of ITIs also shared their experience regarding online portals and how we can get all the stakeholders on the same platform. They said that the industry needs to be more proactive and such workshops are needed to make them aware about Apprentice programs through Himachal Pradesh Skill Mission.

Mr. Sumit Gill (Training Head-Winsome Textiles) talked about how programs such as NAPS could help in promoting industry involvement and source skilled manpower for textile Industry.

As the state mission, HPKVN will be promoting the program by regular interactions with the industry and mobilization of the youth with the aim of encouraging apprenticeship programs across Himachal Pradesh.