Industrialists urged to hire apprentices

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 20

Under the skill development programme, a workshop related to industry linkage - National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) was organised by the Punjab Skill Development Mission, here today. Deputy Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Agrawal was the chief guest on the occasion.

The workshop was also attended by representatives of National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), industry partners, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and reputed companies.

During the workshop, efforts were made to urge the industry to support NAPS and take full advantage of it. With the aim of strengthening the skill development programme, it was also decided that under the National Apprenticeship Programme Scheme (NAPS), the apprenticeship would be made mandatory in all industrial units. Representatives were also given detailed information about the skill development programmes to reach maximum beneficiaries on the basis of awareness, aptitude and ability. The representatives were also informed that programmes such as NAPS could prove to be beneficial to the Punjab industry.

Agrawal said Punjab had always been the first choice of industrial units and with the changing times, foundation of new industrial units had also been laid here. In this situation, the apprenticeship programme in industrial units could provide skilled training to the youth of the state.

The industrialists were made aware about the NAPS and were also urged to hire apprentices in their factories. They were also told that if the industrialists become part of NAPS, the government would also share the cost of hiring apprentices.