Apprenticeships Under SHREYAS

In a momentous step forward for apprenticeships, HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar recently launched Scheme for Higher Education Youth in Apprenticeship and Skills (SHREYAS), an offering of industry-specific apprenticeship opportunities to fresh graduates.

” EDUCATION WITH SKILLS IS THE NEED OF THE HOUR AND THE SHREYAS WILL BE A MAJOR EFFORT IN THIS DIRECTION TO MAKE OUR DEGREE STUDENTS MORE SKILLED, CAPABLE, EMPLOYABLE AND ALIGNED TO THE NEEDS OF OUR ECONOMY SO THAT THEY CONTRIBUTE TO COUNTRY’S PROGRESS AND ALSO OBTAIN GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT,”

Mr. Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister, HRD

Key highlights of SHREYAS:

• Three central ministries- the Ministry of HRD, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment have come together to implement the programme.
• SHREYAS will be brought under the purview of the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). This an extremely positive move to consolidate skill building efforts under the apprenticeship route.
• Applicable to degree course students only- primarily those in non-technical courses to impart sought after skills training to youth as part of their education to boost their employability skills.
• SHREYAS aims to promote apprenticeship as a vital element of a blended education by integrating apprenticeships into the higher education system
• The SHREYAS portal will allow educational institutes and industry to register student interest in apprenticeships and apprenticeship vacancies thus mapping demand and supply.
• Industry will be able to pre-specify eligibility criteria under SHREYAS for better matching of students to suitable apprenticeship offerings.
• Apprenticeships under SHREYAS will be made available from the start of the academic year April-May 2019.
• SHREYAS has already seen over 40 higher educational institutions signing up to offer embedded apprenticeship courses.

For instance, the higher education department of Bhubaneshwar has directed the Vice-Chancellors of state-run Universities and Principals of Degree Colleges to sign up to the NAPS under SHREYAS to give students of non-technical degrees access to paid apprenticeships in the state. The central HRD Ministry has also directed the Bhubaneshwar government to engage with the state Skill Development Council and industry associations such as chambers of commerce to build awareness of SHREYAS and encourage industry to offer apprenticeship opportunities to students. Students of non-technical degrees are especially left in the lurch on passing out to find suitable jobs. It is hoped that SHREYAS can become a vital step in arming youth with the skills and confidence to take their first steps into the world of work under a ‘earning whilst learning’ apprenticeship model.

Plumbing Goes Digital with Plumber Konnect

Plumber Konnect, a mobile app exclusively for certified plumbers was unveiled at a recent ‘Plumbing Skills Mahotsav’ in New Delhi by Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. Plumber Konnect will bring skilled and certified plumbers closer to the end user with pre-approved costs and guarantees of genuine parts. The app also has the convenience of seamless integration with payment gateways.

Organised by the Indian Plumbing Skills Council (IPSC) this first-of-its-kind event drew the participation of around 10,000 plumbers trained in modern plumbing skills marking the significance of the plumbing sector as a major jobs creator.

“With a workforce of more than 8 lakh, the plumbing community is one of the largest in India. It is our responsibility to update our workforce in the plumbing sector with skills & technology to meet the demands of an evolving market. We must keep pace with the rapid changes to build a world-class skilled workforce in the plumbing sector,”

Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship

To formalise a primarily informal plumbing workforce the Minister also added that efforts were underway to provide every certified plumber with a bank account, and life, accident and health insurance.

The event also saw highly skilled plumbers being placed at domestic and international jobs.

“They (plumbers) are the first soldiers in the line of defense against issues such as water shortage, water-borne diseases and play a very vital role in keeping society clean and safe. We have made a promise to train a workforce of 12 lakh by 2022, out of which we have already trained and certified more than 90,000 plumbers.”

Dr. R. K. Somany, Chairman, IPSC highlighting the value of a skilled plumbing workforce

Another hallmark of the event was the convergence of all stakeholders of the plumbing fraternity- manufacturers, contractors, developers and workers engaging with skilling authorities such as the Ministry, NSDC, State Skill Missions, and, training and certification providers.

Skill India Rozgar Mela Places 1400

National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) recently organised a Skill India Rozgar Mela in New Delhi where out of 4000 participants 1400 were offered employment in various roles including entrepreneurship and apprenticeships. The jobs fair saw a healthy turnout by corporates with 52 companies offering positions.

The NSDC has been at the forefront of various skill building schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra. Under the Skill India mission these schemes are targeted especially at school dropouts as an alternative route to acquiring industry relevant skills and a viable pathway to economic empowerment.