Dharmendra Pradhan launched the NATS 2.0 Portal

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has launched the National Apprenticeship and Training Scheme (NATS) 2.0 Portal, which will disburse Rs 100 crore in stipends to apprentices through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) across sectors such as IT, manufacturing, and automobile.

Launch of NATS 2.0 Portal and Stipend Disbursement

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the National Apprenticeship and Training Scheme (NATS) 2.0 Portal.
Rs 100 crore in stipends disbursed to apprentices through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Beneficiaries include apprentices in IT/ITes, manufacturing, automobile, and other sectors.
The initiative aligns with the government's focus on skilling and improving youth employability.
NATS 2.0 portal designed for easy registration and application for apprenticeships.
Enables establishments and industries to manage vacancies and contracts efficiently.

Features and Benefits of NATS 2.0

One-stop solution for managing the entire apprenticeship lifecycle.
Facilitates student registration, vacancy advertisements, and application processes.
Supports contract creation, certification, and reporting.
Integrates stipend disbursement through DBT.
Accessible to students, industries, institutions, and implementing bodies (BoATs/BoPT).
Aims to democratize apprenticeships and bridge the skills gap.
Expected to support a large number of young graduates and diploma holders in gaining employability skills.
Guarantees monthly stipends for apprentices.

Government's Vision for Apprenticeships and Skill Development

Minister Pradhan emphasized the need for education beyond traditional degrees.
Focus on building competencies and increasing employability skills in course curricula.
Call for a comprehensive strategy to harness India's demographic dividend.
Apprenticeship ecosystem encouraged to cover diverse and emerging areas.
Appeal to all educational institutions and industries to join NATS 2.0 portal.
Aim to make apprenticeships a mass movement in India.
Aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's goal of mainstreaming vocational education.
Supports the integration of general and vocational education for vertical and horizontal student mobility.

Implementation and Future Directions

DBT system introduced in 2024 for efficient and transparent stipend distribution.
Government aims to extend DBT to all beneficiaries of the scheme.
NATS 2.0 portal developed in-house by the Ministry of Education with support from AICTE and BoATs/BoPT.
Draft guidelines issued by UGC and AICTE for Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDP).
Two panel discussions held on the future of apprenticeships, covering topics like:
- Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programs
- Credits for all apprenticeships
- Industry and Higher Education collaboration
- Leveraging technology for DBT and strengthening e-Governance
Recognition of top establishments/industries in apprenticeship programs.

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