SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 12:Â In a major push to enhance youth employability and strengthen industrial productivity, the Department of Skill Development, Jammu & Kashmir, has launched a Union Territory-wide awareness-cum-registration campaign under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), aimed at creating stronger linkages between classroom learning and the evolving requirements of industry.
The campaign has received an overwhelming response, with more than 15,000 youth registering on the official apprenticeship portal across all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir in the last few days alone. At the same time, over 2000 MSMEs, industrial establishments and other organisations have onboarded onto the apprenticeship ecosystem, offering structured apprenticeship opportunities with stipend support.
The initiative is based on the principle of ‘Earn while You Learn’, under which apprentices receive on-the-job training along with a stipend and an opportunity to gain practical workplace experience. Apprenticeships generally range from one to two years, enabling young people to acquire industry-relevant skills, workplace discipline and practical exposure while working in real industrial environments.
The District Skill Committees are working closely with the Government ITIs, Polytechnics, industrial establishments, MSMEs and other stakeholders to identify apprenticeship opportunities and facilitate registration of eligible youth. The Deputy Commissioners are also monitoring the progress of the campaign at the district level and ensuring convergence among the various departments and field-level institutions.
The Department of Skill Development is working in close coordination with the departments including Industries and Commerce, Labour & Employment and other concerned departments to take the registration process directly to industrial clusters. As part of this coordinated effort, registration and facilitation camps are being organised at industrial estates, providing MSME owners and industrial establishments with on-the-spot guidance regarding registration, apprenticeship engagement, stipend support and other provisions available under NAPS.
Prominent industry stakeholders, trade bodies and Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs), including organisations such as NHAI and NHPC, have also joined the effort by supporting awareness, handholding and registration activities.
Recognising the significant employment potential of the hospitality and tourism sector in Jammu & Kashmir, the Department has also been reaching out to private hotels and hospitality establishments to expand apprenticeship opportunities in the sector. A number of private hotels have volunteered to engage apprentices, creating opportunities for young people to acquire practical skills in areas such as hospitality operations, food and beverage services, housekeeping, front office operations and other allied functions.
The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme provides an important platform for establishments to participate in skill development while gaining access to government financial support towards apprenticeship training. For young people, the programme offers an opportunity to supplement their academic or technical qualifications with practical workplace experience and recognised apprenticeship certification.
The Department of Skill Development has urged more industrial establishments, MSMEs, PSUs, hotels and other eligible organisations to come forward and create apprenticeship opportunities for the youth of Jammu & Kashmir.
Interested establishments and candidates can register through the official Apprenticeship Portal at apprenticeshipindia.gov.in. The candidates and establishments may also visit their nearest Government ITI or Polytechnic college for assistance and guidance regarding registration and engagement under NAPS.
The department has reiterated that the campaign will continue across all districts with a focus on maximum youth participation, wider industry engagement and creation of a sustainable apprenticeship ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.
