NewsIMTS9.3 lakh enrolments were estimated in the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) during this year-24, with the government aiming for 46 lakh apprentices by fiscal year-end. According to Devashish Sharma, CEO of Taggd, the next wave of hiring in India will focus on demonstrable job readiness rather than degrees. Employers are now prioritizing practical skills over academic qualifications as workplaces undergo rapid technological changes. Companies are addressing skill gaps by creating development programmes with academic institutions, like the INAE-Infosys Foundation Centre at IIT Delhi and IIT Hyderabad’s partnership with Renesas. Job seekers are focusing on soft skills such as communication, critical thinking, and leadership. The government has introduced initiatives like NAPS and the Apprenticeship Act to improve workforce employability. These programmes benefit sectors including automotive, engineering, manufacturing, IT, and the gig economy by providing hands-on training aligned with industry needs. (Updated 31 Oct 2025, 15:54 IST; source: link)
Record 9.3 Lakh Apprentices Join National Scheme
India’s National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) saw approximately 9.3 lakh enrolments during the 2023-24 period. This represents significant progress toward the government’s ambitious target of reaching 46 lakh apprentices by the end of the fiscal year. The scheme aims to enhance workforce employability by providing hands-on training opportunities across various sectors including automotive, engineering, manufacturing, IT, and the growing gig economy. This practical approach helps bridge the gap between theoretical education and actual workplace requirements, making job seekers more industry-ready.
Employers Now Value Skills Over Degrees
The apprenticeship trend reflects a broader shift in India’s hiring landscape, where practical skills are increasingly valued over academic qualifications. As workplaces undergo rapid technological changes, employers are prioritizing demonstrable job readiness rather than degrees alone. To address skill gaps, many companies are developing training programmes in partnership with academic institutions. Job seekers are also adapting by focusing on essential soft skills like communication, critical thinking, and leadership. Government initiatives like NAPS and reforms to the Apprenticeship Act are supporting this transition by creating more structured pathways for skills development.
Key Points
- 9.3 lakh enrolments were estimated in the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) during this year-24, with the government aiming for 46 lakh apprentices by fiscal year-end.
- Companies are addressing skill gaps by creating development programmes with academic institutions, like the INAE-Infosys Foundation Centre at IIT Delhi and IIT Hyderabad’s partnership with Renesas.
- According to Devashish Sharma, CEO of Taggd, the next wave of hiring in India will focus on demonstrable job readiness rather than degrees.
