Nurturing skill development in organized sector-chaos in institutional set-up: Experiences from an industrial region in India

Abstract

Scope of The Apprentices Act, 1961 was broadbased in 1973 to facilitate fresh Degree and Diploma holders from Engineering Institutes in Industrial Establishments in last mile skilling. This is popularly known as National Apprenticeship Training Scheme(NATS) which provides exposure in new technologies and processes to young professional graduates at enterprise level. The present study is to find out the effectiveness and impact of the scheme in Western Region, which is industrially developed region and is supposed to provide intended support in skill development of youth. Objectives of the study are to assess the effectiveness and impact of the NATS by gauging the skill enhancement of the trainees and their employability after the training. All the stakeholders, such as establishments, Institutions, and beneficiaries such as trainees (current and ex-trainees) are contacted on sample basis. Establishments felt that there are serious and generic problems at institutional level in meeting the requirements of industries through the skilled graduates. Field evidence prove there is tangible progress in skill enhancement of fresh graduates during the apprenticeship training, and thereby increased their opportunities for gainful employment in the labour market. Establishments are providing excellent facilitation in skill development. However, there are major qualitative bottlenecks at the institutional level which is severely affecting the prospects of outgoing graduates. Board of Apprenticeship Training (BOAT), Western Region has restructured their strategy to meet the objectives of NATS.