How Will the CAC Meeting Propel Apprenticeship Reforms? Jayant Chaudhary

New Delhi, May 25 (NationPress) As India gears up to equip its youth for a dynamic and inclusive economy, the forthcoming Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) meeting is set to be pivotal in redefining the nation's skilling and apprenticeship framework, according to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) on Sunday.

Leading up to the meeting scheduled for May 26, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary, expressed that the meeting will serve as a catalyst to enhance flexibility, foster global connections, and ensure institutional coherence in apprenticeship policies.

He emphasized that this marks a significant milestone in realizing the vision of a ‘Kushal Bharat, Viksit Bharat’.

The Council was restructured in October 2024, with Jayant Chaudhary appointed as its Chairman. It advises the government on critical policies and strategies aimed at improving apprenticeship training across India.

This will be the inaugural CAC meeting since June 2021, occurring at a juncture when the country’s apprenticeship ecosystem has experienced substantial growth.

At present, over 43.47 lakh apprentices are actively engaged across 36 states and union territories, supported by more than 51,000 establishments.

Outreach has broadened to include various social groups and districts, while significant initiatives such as PM-NAPS and NATS have aligned apprenticeship training with evolving sectors and technologies.

The 38th CAC meeting will address several key reforms, including the introduction of digital and virtual apprenticeship modes, the formal recognition of Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDP), and opportunities for apprentices to gain international experience through assignments at client sites.

The Council will also deliberate on increasing stipend rates to match inflation and providing enhanced support to women, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and youth from the North Eastern Region (NER).

Additionally, a significant agenda is the establishment of new regional boards to bolster institutional capacity.

Just prior to the meeting, MSDE launched a special Apprenticeship Scheme Pilot for the North Eastern Region in Aizawl, Mizoram.

In collaboration with the Mizoram government, this initiative offers an extra Rs 1,500 monthly stipend to over 26,000 youth from the region, on top of standard NAPS benefits.

The Rs 43.94 crore project is being executed by the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) Guwahati and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

This initiative aims to bolster apprenticeship participation in underserved regions and help local youth become industry-ready through better access to skill development.