National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)
This scheme was launched in August 2016 by the Government Of India to promote Apprenticeship in the country by providing financial incentives, technology, and lobbying support.
Important Characteristics
1. A broader range of options for apprentices, including interaction with other schemes - State/federal government-approved courses, such as PMKVY, DDU-GKY, and others, must be linked to apprenticeship training. These courses will be designated as optional trades, with the relevant practical content for on-the-job training added by the appropriate course approving body.
2. Technology-assisted administration - A specially created internet portal, www.apprenticeshipindia.org, will be used to administer the full Apprenticeship Training implementation online. All major stakeholders, including candidates, industry, DGTs, RDSDEs, NSDCs, SAAs, SSDMs, and BTPs, will benefit from it.
3. Promoter and Facilitators/Third Party Aggregators (TPA) - Because this scheme involves multiple stakeholders, facilitators or Third Party Aggregators (TPAs) play an important role in mobilising apprentices, mapping their preferences to demand from establishments for apprenticeship opportunities posted on the portal, and assisting establishments in identifying Basic Training Providers. TPAs are hired in accordance with MSDE’s requirements for their selection.
3. Involvement of States/UTs - As per the Apprentices Act, monitoring of apprenticeship training in State Public Sector Undertakings and Private Sector Establishments is done by the respective State Governments. States have a very important role in implementing the programme as most of the smaller Industries and MSMEs come under the State jurisdiction. Hence sensitizing the states & State Skill Development Missions (SSDMs) & also officers up to the District level, on the intent of the reforms becomes critical & a matter of priority. The District Skilling Committees being promoted by both the Central and State governments will be mandated to identify apprenticeship opportunities in their district and ensure appropriate utilisation of same.
