On May 20, 2025, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) launched the North East Apprenticeship Pilot Scheme in Aizawl, Mizoram, in a joint initiative by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSDE, and Shri Lalduhoma, Chief Minister of Mizoram. Aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Ashta Lakshmi and Viksit Bharat, this scheme aims to provide structured, paid, and high-quality apprenticeship opportunities to the youth of the North Eastern Region (NER). This article delves into the initiative’s objectives, key features, and its significance for India’s skilling ecosystem.
Objectives of the Scheme
Promoting Inclusive Growth
The North East Apprenticeship Pilot Scheme is designed to foster inclusive growth and regional empowerment by offering over 26,000 youth from the NER access to industry-relevant training. The initiative provides an additional ₹1,500 per month for one year, over and above the regular stipend under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). With a budget of ₹43.94 crore, including ₹4 crore for outreach and capacity building, the scheme ensures that mobility is not a barrier, supporting apprentices training both within and outside the NER.
Leadership Perspectives
Empowering Youth and Industry
During the launch, Shri Jayant Chaudhary emphasized that the scheme is a defining moment for apprenticeship promotion in the NER. He highlighted its role in providing youth with real industry exposure, enabling them to align their skills with modern industry demands. For industries, it offers a transparent mechanism to engage and evaluate talent early, creating a bridge to employment opportunities. He also underscored the scheme’s focus on women’s participation, noting the NER’s high female participation in NAPS as a model for gender-responsive skilling.
Shri Lalduhoma, Chief Minister of Mizoram, stated that the collaboration with the Government of India opens new doors for the youth of Mizoram and the NER. He emphasized that the scheme’s financial support and industry linkages empower young citizens to succeed in India’s evolving economic landscape, both regionally and nationally.
Partnership with Welspun Living
Skilling in the Textile Sector
A key highlight of the event was the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Welspun Living Limited to operationalize a pilot for apprenticeship-linked skilling in the textile sector. This initiative aims to train 1,000 youth, with at least 50% women, through a blended model of 120 hours of classroom training and 210 hours of on-the-job training at Welspun’s facilities in Anjar and Vapi, Gujarat. Welspun will lead curriculum design and training, ensuring guaranteed captive placement, while NSDC supports mobilization and funding. Successful candidates will receive joint certification from NSDC and Welspun, enhancing their employability.
National Apprenticeship Success
Building on NAPS Achievements
The pilot initiative builds on the success of the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), which has facilitated over 42 lakh apprenticeship engagements since 2016. The introduction of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) has enabled transparent disbursal of over ₹870 crore to apprentices since 2022. With over 35,000 establishments and 5,000 Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Melas (PMNAMs), NAPS has set a strong foundation for region-specific skilling interventions like the NER pilot.
ITI Upgradation Scheme
Modernizing Skill Infrastructure
The event also featured a presentation on the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation, with an outlay of ₹60,000 crore to modernize 1,000 government ITIs through a hub-and-spoke model. This scheme aims to align training with industry needs, upgrade infrastructure, and foster state-industry partnerships, with significant benefits for the NER’s skilling ecosystem.
Key Highlights
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Launch of North East Apprenticeship Pilot Scheme on May 20, 2025, in Aizawl |
| Key Figures | Shri Jayant Chaudhary (MSDE), Shri Lalduhoma (Mizoram CM) |
| Beneficiaries | Over 26,000 youth with ₹1,500 monthly stipend |
| Budget | ₹43.94 crore, including ₹4 crore for outreach |
| Textile Pilot | MoU with Welspun for training 1,000 youth, 50% women |
| Impact | Enhances skilling, women’s participation, and industry linkages in NER |