Ministry Of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Holds Workshop On Scaling MSME Apprenticeships

(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Apr 30 (KNN) The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) convened a high-level consultative workshop to outline a roadmap for scaling apprenticeship adoption among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with a focus on strengthening workforce readiness and improving industry participation.

The workshop on“Scaling Apprenticeship Uptake in MSMEs” examined ground-level challenges affecting employer engagement, including low awareness and procedural complexity, while evaluating scalable models such as cluster-based approaches, earn-while-you-learn frameworks, and work-integrated learning systems.

Despite steady progress under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), apprenticeship participation remains largely concentrated in large and medium enterprises.

Officials noted that a significant proportion of MSME apprentices are hosted within private sector establishments, indicating the need for more tailored and accessible mechanisms for smaller firms.

Discussions underscored that expanding MSME participation is essential to increasing apprenticeship scale and improving employment absorption outcomes. Stakeholders identified priority constraints and proposed targeted interventions, including simplified compliance processes, incentive structures, and institutional support systems.

Among the models explored were Group Training Organizations (GTOs), which enable clusters of MSMEs to jointly host apprentices, and the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP), integrating academic learning with on-the-job training.

Work-Integrated Learning Programmes (WILP) were also highlighted as a pathway to align education with industry requirements.

The consultation resulted in the identification of near-term pilot initiatives across selected sectors and regions, alongside a set of policy and regulatory recommendations distinguishing between immediate measures and longer-term reforms. An implementation roadmap outlining roles, timelines, and measurable outcomes was also proposed.

Separately, a meeting of the Sub-Committee on Promotion of Inclusion and MSME Participation under the Central Apprenticeship Council reviewed strategies to enhance inclusivity in apprenticeship programmes.

The discussions focused on expanding access for women, persons with disabilities, and socially disadvantaged groups, while also considering guidelines for online and virtual apprenticeship formats.

The workshop was attended by senior government officials, industry representatives, and MSME stakeholders, reflecting a coordinated effort to strengthen India's apprenticeship ecosystem and align it with evolving labour market needs.

(KNN Bureau)

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