SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 12: The Department of Skill Development, Jammu & Kashmir, has launched a Union Territory-wide awareness-cum-registration campaign under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), with over 15,000 youth registering and more than 2,000 establishments onboarding onto the apprenticeship portal in the past week.
The campaign aims to strengthen youth employability, enhance industrial productivity and bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry requirements.
The participating establishments include MSMEs, industrial units and other organisations offering structured apprenticeship opportunities with stipend support.
Focus on ‘Earn while You Learn’
Under NAPS, apprentices receive on-the-job training, a stipend and practical workplace experience under the ‘Earn while You Learn’ model.
Apprenticeships generally range from one to two years, enabling young people to develop industry-relevant skills, workplace discipline and practical exposure in real work environments.
The Department of Skill Development is coordinating with Government ITIs, Polytechnics, industrial establishments, MSMEs and other stakeholders to identify apprenticeship opportunities and facilitate registration of eligible youth.
District Skill Committees are working to expand participation, while Deputy Commissioners are monitoring the campaign at the district level and ensuring coordination among departments and field institutions.
Registration camps held at industrial estates
The department is working with the Industries and Commerce, Labour & Employment and other concerned departments to take the registration process directly to industrial clusters.
Registration and facilitation camps are being organised at industrial estates, offering MSME owners and industrial establishments on-the-spot guidance on registration, apprenticeship engagement, stipend support and other provisions under NAPS.
Industry stakeholders, trade bodies and Central Public Sector Undertakings, including NHAI and NHPC, have also joined the campaign by supporting awareness, handholding and registration activities.
Hospitality sector being brought into apprenticeship network
The Department of Skill Development is also reaching out to private hotels and hospitality establishments to expand apprenticeship opportunities in Jammu & Kashmir’s tourism sector.
Several private hotels have volunteered to engage apprentices in areas including hospitality operations, food and beverage services, housekeeping, front office operations and allied functions.
The initiative is expected to provide young people with practical skills and workplace experience in a sector with significant employment potential.
Establishments, youth urged to register
The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme provides establishments with access to government financial support towards apprenticeship training, while enabling young people to supplement their academic and technical qualifications with practical experience and recognised apprenticeship certification.
The department has urged more industrial establishments, MSMEs, PSUs, hotels and other eligible organisations to come forward and create apprenticeship opportunities for the youth.
Interested candidates and establishments can register through the official Apprenticeship Portal at .
Candidates and establishments may also approach their nearest Government ITI or Polytechnic college for assistance with registration and engagement under NAPS.
The department said the campaign will continue across all districts, with a focus on increasing youth participation, widening industry engagement and building a sustainable apprenticeship ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir.
