The skill development and entrepreneurship ministry is finalising the process of selecting industry clusters across the identified states and handholding them through financial aid as well as infrastructure creation to help them participate in a formal apprenticeship system, said a senior government official.
“Top officials of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship held the first meeting with industrial clusters in Gujarat, Delhi and Haryana to nudge micro, small and medium enterprises to engage more apprentices as the country aims to fast-track creation of a skilled workforce,” said the official, who did not wish to be identified.
The ministry will firm up the modalities to handhold these clusters to impart apprenticeship training once the number of clusters is finalised.
The government believes apprenticeship training is one of the most efficient ways to develop skilled manpower for industry without putting too much burden on the exchequer to set up training infrastructure.
“People who undergo apprenticeship training can easily adapt to the industrial environment at the time of regular employment and hence are more in demand,” the official said.
Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and West Bengal are the top five Indian states in terms of gross domestic product.