Huge untapped potential for apprenticeship as the country only engages 5 lakhs apprentices against the potential of 30 lakh

Skilling is the element which would convert whatever we do in whatever sector into India’s advantage. We have the demographics in our favour, and it will improve our competitiveness. Empirical evidence shows that a 10% increase in educational attainment leads to 8.6% gain in productivity and a short term skill training programme can lead to 15-19% increase in monthly income. Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said this during a session on ‘Becoming Rich before Becoming Old: Jobs and Entrepreneurship’ in the Global Economic Policy Summit organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

According to Mr Tiwari, there is a large untapped potential for apprenticeship as the country only engages 5 lakhs apprentices against the potential of 30 lakh. Calling apprenticeship, a universally acceptable concept, he said that it is a great way to earn while learning.

He also stated that, the fundamental thing to be fixed is the way in which we look at the issue of employability, skilling and education in our country. The National  Education Policy 2020 takes cognisance of this aspect and under the leadership the honourable Prime Minister, provisions have been made which would improve the skills and employability of the youth. We should bring skill in education and education in skills, he stated. There is a need for Department of Education, Ministry of Skills and various regulators to come together and find out a way to bring education and skilling together, the roadmap for which has already been laid by the National Education Policy.

Looking at the external factors, he said that we need to be mindful of the mega trends that are shaping our lives because recognising these  trends will align our skilling and educational requirements to equip our working age population to meet the needs of the economy.

9 December 2022

New Delhi