The Government of India plans to double the number of apprentices in the country from 5 lakh to 10 lakh by the end of the year. To achieve its target, the government has eased a number of procedures for Indian industries to encourage them to take up apprenticeship training on a bigger scale.
An unnamed senior government official told The Economic Times that proof of stipend payment from industry is no longer required if the payment is made through a payment gateway.
Among other changes introduced, stipend payments to the industry will no longer be held back in the final quarter until a candidate appears for assessment.
In addition, businesses present in four or more states will not need to register at multiple locations, and firms hiring apprentices will be entitled to stipend support during basic training as well.
Under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, the Government of India reimburses a maximum of Rs.7,500 per apprentice, and shares 25% of the prescribed stipend or a maximum of Rs.1,500 per month per apprentice with the employers.
Apprentices can constitute between 2.5% and 15% of an organisation’s total workforce, and the apprentice scheme mandatorily applies to any firm with 30 or more employees.