Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, May 25: As India strengthens its workforce for a future-ready economy, the upcoming 38th Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) meeting on May 26 is set to play a pivotal role in overhauling the country's apprenticeship and skilling framework.

Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary, who chairs the reconstituted CAC, said the meeting would serve as a “catalyst to unlock greater flexibility, global linkages, and institutional coherence” in apprenticeship policies—advancing the national goal of ‘Kushal Bharat, Viksit Bharat’.

The council, last convened in June 2021, is expected to discuss critical reforms such as the integration of Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDP), promotion of digital and virtual apprenticeship modes, and enabling apprentices to gain global experience through client site deployments.

Currently, over 43.47 lakh apprentices are engaged across 36 states and union territories, supported by more than 51,000 establishments. Government schemes like PM-NAPS and NATS have been instrumental in aligning training with emerging sectors and technologies.

The Council will also consider raising stipend rates to keep up with inflation, and expanding benefits to women, persons with disabilities, and youth from the North Eastern Region (NER). Strengthening the institutional structure through new regional boards is another key agenda.

In a prelude to the meeting, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) launched a special Apprenticeship Scheme Pilot for NER in Aizawl, Mizoram. In collaboration with the Mizoram government, the scheme will provide an additional Rs 1,500 monthly stipend to over 26,000 youth, apart from standard benefits under NAPS.

The Rs 43.94 cr initiative, executed by Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) Guwahati and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), aims to enhance participation from underserved areas and help local youth become industry-ready.