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 and immediate contribution over traditional qualifications. Job seekers are developing soft skills like communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving to meet industry demands. Companies are addressing the talent gap by creating skill development programmes with academic institutions. Examples include the INAE-Infosys Foundation Centre at IIT Delhi and IIT Hyderabad's partnership with Renesas for semiconductor research. Government initiatives like NAPS and the Apprenticeship Act aim to improve workforce employability, particularly benefiting sectors such as automotive, engineering, manufacturing, IT, and the gig economy. (Updated 31 Oct 2025, 15:54 IST; source: link)
Record 9.3 Lakh Apprenticeships Signal New Hiring Approach
India's National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) recorded 9.3 lakh enrolments in 2023-24, highlighting a significant shift in how companies recruit talent. The government has set an ambitious target of 46 lakh apprentices by the end of the fiscal year. This trend reflects how employers are moving away from degree-based hiring toward valuing practical skills and job readiness. Companies now look for candidates who can contribute immediately rather than those with impressive but untested academic credentials. This change particularly benefits sectors like automotive, engineering, manufacturing, IT, and the growing gig economy.
Skills Over Degrees: How India's Job Market Is Evolving
The rising NAPS enrolments demonstrate how India's employment landscape is transforming. Job seekers are now focusing on developing practical abilities like communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving that industries actually need. To address the talent gap, companies are creating skill development programmes in partnership with academic institutions. Examples include the INAE-Infosys Foundation Centre at IIT Delhi and IIT Hyderabad's collaboration with Renesas for semiconductor research. Government initiatives like NAPS and the Apprenticeship Act are designed to enhance workforce employability by providing hands-on training that traditional education often lacks.
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.
- Examples include the INAE-Infosys Foundation Centre at IIT Delhi and IIT Hyderabad's partnership with Renesas for semiconductor research.
- According to Devashish Sharma, CEO of Taggd, the next wave of hiring in India will focus on demonstrable job readiness rather than degrees.
