UGC Proposes Integrated Apprenticeship Training in Degree Programs

Stakeholders have been asked to provide input on the proposed guidelines for the apprenticeship embedded degree program by the University Grants Commission. In accordance with these regulations, the program seeks to allow a student accepted into a higher education institution's undergraduate program to pursue apprenticeship training as an integrated part of the degree program.

The Commission requested that stakeholders provide feedback on the guidelines using the Google form within 30 days of the guidelines' release date in a post on the microblogging platform X.

According to a notification, UGC stated that the gap between "what is taught in the class" and "what is required by industry" needs to be closed. "The education-employability gap must be closed by integrating industry-required competences into university curricula. In order to close this gap, apprenticeship is crucial, according to the materials.

Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme Rules:
According to the document, only employers with four or more employees may hire apprentices, and it is required that establishments with thirty or more employees hire apprentices.

Each establishment will hire apprentices in a range of 2.5% to 15% during a fiscal year, according to the UGC document, which also states that a minimum of 5% of the establishment's total workforce, including contractual employees, must be set aside for new apprentices and apprentices with skill certificates.

Additionally, it states that the Government of India should create regional apprenticeship or practical training boards in Chennai, Kanpur, Mumbai, and Kolkata as "Autonomous Bodies" to carry out the national apprenticeship training program in their respective areas.

Stakeholders are encouraged to read the official documentation for additional information about the initiative.