The Union Minister of Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan digitally inaugurated the launch of the National Apprenticeship Mela across 700+ locations in the country. Over 4000 organisations from more than 30 industries participated in the event.
Individuals having a 5th–12th grade pass certificate, a skill training certificate, an ITI Diploma or a graduate degree were eligible to participate. The main objective was to encourage the hiring of approximately 1 lakh apprentices and to assist employers in identifying and developing their potential through training and practical skill sets. The young and aspiring workforce was given a choice of 500+ trades. They were given apprenticeship offers with monthly stipends as per the government standards. The candidates will get certificates, recognized by National Council for Vocational Education and Training. Even small-scale industries with minimum four working members can also hire apprentices at the event. A credit bank concept will be introduced which will have depositary of various credits accumulated by learners that they can use for future academic pathways. Shri Pradhan was particularly impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit of a young trainee from Bhubaneswar. Undergoing apprenticeship in the Baker & Confectioner trade at Govt. ITI Bhubaneswar, she plans to start her own bakery.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said, “Our endeavor will be to ensure that more than 10 lakh trainees engage with corporates as apprentices and capitalize on this opportunity to earn while they learn and find their gateway into the industry.”
