On July 30, 2024, the Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Education (MoE), launched the National Apprenticeship and Training Scheme (NATS) 2.0 Portal in New Delhi, Delhi.
Key Highlights:
- Stipend Disbursement: As part of the initiative, stipends amounting to Rs 100 crore have been disbursed to young graduates and diploma holders through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
- Training Sectors: Apprentices are receiving on-the-job training across various sectors such as Information Technology/Information Technology Enabled Services (IT/ITes), manufacturing, and automobile industries.
About NATS 2.0 Portal:
- Development: The NATS 2.0 Portal has been developed in-house by the MoE with the support of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the Board of Apprenticeship Training / Practical Training (BOAT/BOPT).
- Functionality: It serves as a one-stop solution for managing the apprenticeship lifecycle activities, including student registration, vacancy advertisement, student applications, contract creation, certification, reporting, and stipend disbursement using DBT.
- Objectives: The portal aims to democratize apprenticeship opportunities, bridge skill gaps, and fulfill the aspirations of youth by preparing them for future careers and providing employment opportunities.
- Industry Usage: Industries will use the platform to manage their contracts and vacancies. Notably, Cognizant Technology Solutions Private Limited, Infosys Limited, and Tech Mahindra Private Limited were recognized as the top three industries during the event.
- Operational Status: The portal is now fully functional, enabling the MoE to execute the end-to-end DBT process.
Key Points:
- Stipend Payment: In 2024, the Government of India (GoI) began disbursing its share of the stipend directly to apprentices’ bank accounts through DBT, ensuring timely, efficient, and transparent delivery of stipendiary benefits.
- Policy Alignment: In accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the University Grants Commission (UGC) and AICTE issued draft guidelines for Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDPs).
The launch of the NATS 2.0 Portal marks a significant step towards enhancing apprenticeship opportunities and aligning with the NEP 2020 to empower the youth with relevant skills and employment opportunities.
Login with Google