NITI Aayog Proposes New Benefits to Boost Youth Employment
NITI Aayog, the Indian government’s premier policy think tank, has released a comprehensive report outlining a roadmap to overhaul the country’s vocational training ecosystem.
The report, titled “Transforming Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs),” advocates for a drastic shift toward industry-aligned curricula and the strengthening of post-apprenticeship benefits to bridge the widening skill gap in India’s workforce.
NITI Aayog Revamping ITIs for Industry 4.0
A central theme of the report is the urgent need to upgrade India’s 15,000+ ITIs.
NITI Aayog recommends that these institutes move away from traditional trades and embrace “Industry 4.0” technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Green Energy, and Electric Vehicle (EV) maintenance.
To ensure these courses remain relevant, the report suggests a “Hub and Spoke” model.
In this setup, high-performing ITIs act as hubs with advanced labs, sharing resources with smaller, rural “spoke” institutes.
Additionally, the report pushes for increased private sector involvement through the “Dual System of Training” (DST), where students spend significant time on the factory floor rather than just in classrooms.
Strengthening the Apprenticeship Lifecycle
The report highlights that while apprenticeship enrollment has grown, retention and long-term career progression remain challenges.
NITI Aayog proposes “Strengthened Post-Apprenticeship Benefits” to incentivize both students and employers.
Key recommendations include:
- Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT): Streamlining stipend payments to ensure timely financial support for apprentices.
- Certification Equivalency: Ensuring that apprenticeship certificates are recognized as equivalent to formal educational degrees for higher studies and government job eligibility.
- Placement Linked Incentives: Rewarding industries that absorb a high percentage of their apprentices into full-time roles.
Overcoming the “Social Stigma” of Vocational Education
The report addresses the persistent social bias against vocational training.
It suggests integrating vocational courses into the school system starting from Class 9, as envisioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
NITI Aayog aims to create a seamless “Credit Framework” for students.
This system will allow them to move from an ITI to a polytechnic or degree college without losing academic progress.
By focusing on high-growth sectors and ensuring that a “certificate” leads to a “career,” NITI Aayog aims to transform India into a global “Skill Capital.”
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