National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)
On 19 August, 2016, the Union Government has notified National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) for providing apprenticeship training to over 50 lakh youngsters in order to create more employment opportunities. It is first of its kind scheme notified to offer financial incentives to employers. The new policy would facilitate industry led practice oriented training by working with the industry and the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises.
Apprentice
AN apprentice is a person who has entered into a contract with an employer for apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act.
Apprenticeship training
Apprenticeship is a course of training undergone by a person in any industry/establishment which results in his/her skill development. The training consists of two components: basic training and practical training.
Need for the scheme
- For promoting apprenticeship training and skill development.
- For incentivizing employers to engage apprentices
- To increase the number of apprentices from 2.3 lakh to 50 lakh cumulatively by 2020.
Key features of the scheme
Financial outlay
The Scheme has an outlay of 10,000 crore rupees with a target of 50 Lakh apprentices to be trained by 2020.
Implementing Agency
NAPS will be implemented by Director General of Training (DGT) under the aegis of Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
Funding
Under NAPS, Central Government for the first time will provide financial incentives to the employers to engage apprentices. Central Government will also directly share 25% of the total stipend (maximum of 1,500 rupees per month per apprentice) payable to an apprentice with employers. In addition, it will support basic training which is considered an essential component of apprenticeship training. The Central Government will bear 50% of the total expenditure incurred on providing basic training to an apprentice.
Online administration
All transactions including registration by employers, apprentices, registration of contract and payment to employers will be made in online mode.
Responsibilities of employers
The employers who are eligible are required to employ apprentices in the range of 2.5% to 10% of the total workforce strength of their establishment.
Significance
Apprenticeship Training is considered to be one of the most efficient ways to develop skilled manpower. It paves way for industry led, practice oriented, effective and efficient mode of formal training. NAPS seek to catalyze the entire apprenticeship ecosystem in the country. It is expected to offer a win-win situation for all stakeholders and become one of the most powerful skill-developing schemes in the country.
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
PMKVY is the flagship skill certification scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship with an objective to enable a large number of youth to take up industry-relevant skill training that will ultimately result in improved and better livelihood opportunities. Courses under PMKVY are run by Training Partners under the Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) set up by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). The PMKVY Scheme is implemented by the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
PMKVY will provide skills training to youth, including class 10 and 12 drop outs and aims to cover about 24 lakh people. The target for skilling under the scheme will be associated with Union Government’s flagship programmes such as Make in India, Digital India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and National Solar Mission. The skill training will involve soft skills, good work ethics, personal grooming, behavioural change for cleanliness etc. Inspection of training under PMKVY will be done by Sector Skill Councils and the respective State Governments.
