Dharmendra Pradhan launched the NATS 2.0 Portal

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.