Increase in apprenticeship opportunities stresses in State Apprenticeship Council meeting

A meeting of the State Apprenticeship Council was held at the State Secretariat to discuss providing skills, practical training and better employment opportunities aligned with industrial requirements to youth of Himachal Pradesh. Comprehensive discussions were held on making apprenticeship training more effective, extensive, and industry-oriented as well as expanding training and employment avenues for the youth.

Presiding over the meeting, Principal Secretary, Department of Technical Education, Vocational and Industrial Training and Chairman of the State Apprenticeship Council, Dr. Abhishek Jain, directed the officials to ensure a significant increase in apprenticeship opportunities and the number of apprentices in the state. He emphasized launching extensive awareness campaigns to connect youth with apprenticeships and establishing better coordination among Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), engineering and polytechnic institutes, universities, industries, and other stakeholders.

He laid special emphasis on increasing the active participation of private industries and registering a maximum number of establishments on the National Apprenticeship Portal so that more industry-based training and employment opportunities could be made available to the youth.

It was informed during the meeting that 156 apprenticeship fairs have been organized in the state to promote apprenticeships. Additionally, apprenticeship fairs are being organized regularly every month in accordance with the guidelines of the Government of India.

The Council emphasized taking necessary steps to enhance the participation of industries and establishments, particularly government departments and public sector undertakings and to create more apprenticeship opportunities by registering them on the National Apprenticeship Portal.

It was also reported that currently, 98 apprentices are undergoing training at various institutes under the department of Technical Education. The Council stressed the need to connect more youth with apprenticeships and expand the program in the future, aligning it with requirements and available opportunities. Additionally, discussions were held on ensuring adequate budgetary provisions for the payment of stipends to apprentices working in government departments and on taking necessary steps to further strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of the apprenticeship program.

Members of the State Apprenticeship Council representing various government departments attended the meeting.