Why are apprenticeship-integrated programmes more sought after? It is because they are considered more productive and result oriented than the traditional education or training programmes. They are more valued than even the training provided by industrial training institutes (it is) or polytechnics. Degrees embedded with an apprenticeship are more attractive. What is more, 70 per cent employers in India engaged apprentices in the first half of the April to September 2023 period, says the Apprenticeship Outlook Report for HY1: April-September, 2023 and HY2: October – March, 2023-24.
A good 63 per cent employers were satisfied with the performance of apprentices during HY1 Apr-Sep 2023. No wonder then that 17 out of the 24 industries that were part of the study said they saw an increase in their Net Apprenticeship Outlook.
As per the TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship report, at least 78 per cent of the employers in India believe that over 50 per cent of all the apprentices engaged in their organisation complete their training. About 72 per cent employers in the information technology (IT) and information technology enabled services (ITeS) share the same sentiment, while 70 per cent of the employers in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCS) segment agree.
Why will not employers increase the number of apprentices that they have engaged? About 38 per cent employers in the BFSI space say they will take on more apprentices because of the need for real-time availability of skills. About 27 per cent from the electrical and electronics space say they will do so for business growth. A significant 21 per cent admit that the recent measures taken by the government to simplify the system of apprenticeships has encouraged them to take on more apprentices.
Given India’s young population and so much untapped potential, the government’s mandate of engaging 2.5 per cent to 15 per cent of the workforce as apprentices annually is a move in the right direction.
The future will be driven by this very section of the workforce. India’s economic growth and competitiveness in the global market rely on its ability to develop a skilled workforce. Apprenticeships that offer hands-on learning tend to increase the technical competencies of the apprentices. Additionally, they also provide soft skills that make apprentices more capable of fulfilling the evolving needs of modern industries. Apprenticeships bridge the gap between education and employment, offering students a chance to become skilled workers.
Most employers in India (70 per cent) have engaged apprentices in the HY1 April to September 2023. About 37 per cent of employers admitted that they resorted to engaging apprentices to address the shortage of skills.