National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme

National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) is an initiative of the Indian Government that seeks to promote apprenticeship training and increase the engagement of apprentices. The training module consists of basic training and on-the-job/practical training at workplaces. The scheme will be implemented by the respective State Apprenticeship Advisers (SAAs) and Regional Directorates of Apprenticeships (RDATs). This article explores the scheme in detail.

Also Read about – Entrepreneurship Skill Development Programme 

Mode of Operation

As per the norms of the scheme, the Indian Government would be sharing 25% of the prescribed stipend, subject to not more than INR 1500 per month per apprentice with the employers. Apart from this, the Government will share a maximum of INR 7500 per fresher apprentice for basic training with basic training providers, which will be conducted for a maximum of 500 hours/three months.

Eligibility and Scope

Let us now look at the applicability of the scheme with respect to employees, apprentices and Basic training Providers (BTP):

Employers

1. Employers who have made their validations through TIN/TAN and EPFO/SEIC/LIN/any other identifiers as decided by the Government.
2. Employers with Aadhar linked bank account.

Apprentices

The scheme covers all categories of apprentices, except graduates and technicians who are already covered by any schemes of the Ministry of Human Resource Department.

Basic Training Providers (BTP)

1.       Government and Private ITI with spare seats.

2.       Establishments with in-house basic training facilities.

3.       BTP set up/supported by industry clusters.

4.       Physical verification of basic training facilities by RDAT.

Note – The concerned BTP must have an Aadhar-linked bank account.

Online Portal

The portal, through which this scheme is extended, facilitates the following services:

For Industry

1. Online Registration
2. Declaration of apprenticeship seats/vacancies.
3. Searching and shortlisting of candidates who are specific to sector, trades, region, etc.
4. Issuing of offer letters to candidates for engaging as apprentices.
5. Submission of apprenticeship contracts for approval.
6. Monitoring of apprenticeship training.
7. Online submissions of returns and records.
8. Online submissions of claims.
9. Online payment of Government share.

For Candidates

1. Registration into their preferred sector/trades of choice.
2. Addressing of applications to potential employees for apprenticeship training.
3. Online receipt and acceptance of letter from establishments.
4. Processing of essential contractual obligations.
5. Searching and selecting of Basic Training Provider (BTP), based on sector, trades and region.

For Regional Directorates of Apprenticeship Training/State Apprenticeship Advisers (SAA)

1.  Reviewing and approval of apprenticeship contracts.
2.  Monitoring and implementation of apprenticeship training.
3.  Receipt and review of claims from employers.
4. Payment of the stipendiary amount (refer Mode of Operations).
5. Receipt of Inspection report and approval of BTP.
6. Receipt and review of claims from BTP.
7. Payment of basic training costs to BTP.

For Basic Training Providers (BTP)

1. Registration
2. Declaration of basic training seats/vacancies
3. Searching and shortlisting of candidates based on the sector, trade, region, etc.
4. Provision of basic training to apprentices who have been sponsored by an employer after the execution of a contract with the apprentice.
5. Placement of apprentices for on-the-job training with an employer after basic training.
6. Submission of claims.

Designated and Optional Trade

Apprenticeship training is rendered in both designated and optional trades. The former refers to any trade or occupation that is notified by the Government. The latter refers to PMLVY/MES courses or any others deemed appropriate by the employer.