News & Announcement
Kaushal Bharat, Viksit Bharat: NAPS Awareness Workshop held at Namchi
Namchi, 28 October (IPR): An awareness workshop on Special Pilot Initiative under National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) Advancing Apprenticeship in the North East Region, was organised by Niyukti Kendra Skill Development Department (SDD) Government of Sikkim, at Government Kamrang College Auditorium, Namchi, today.
The workshop aims to create awareness on apprenticeship opportunities, streamline the implementation of NAPS and encourage greater participation of Youth & employees to fill the gap between job seekers and employers.
The programme had the presence of MLA of 11 Namchi Singhithang Constituency Mr Satish Chandra Rai, as the chief guest.
During the speech, he, emphasised the importance of skill-based learning and the value of the Apprenticeship Programme under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS).
In his address, he highlighted that “apprenticeship means learning by earning,” and encouraged students to balance academic pursuits with practical skill training. He noted that while many youths today obtain degrees from colleges and universities, only a few acquire the technical and professional skills needed in the modern workforce.
He further stated that the current era demands skilled individuals rather than only degree holders. “If you are skilled, you can earn your livelihood anywhere. But without skills, even a graduate or postgraduate struggles to find suitable employment,” he remarked.
Moreover, he urged the students to lead disciplined and responsible lives by staying away from harmful habits such as drug use, alcohol, and gambling, which can derail their future. He encouraged the youth to embrace apprenticeship opportunities to enhance employability and become self reliant.
He inspired the students to focus not only on academic excellence but also on developing practical competencies that align with the evolving job market.
Deputy Director-I, Mr D D Sharma, briefed the gathering on the objectives and components of the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). He highlighted that the scheme serves as an important bridge between job seekers and employers by providing hands-on training opportunities in real workplace settings.
He explained that the apprenticeship model not only sharpens existing skills but also enables individuals to acquire new and industry-relevant competencies that enhance their employability.
Further, he elaborated on the key provisions of the Apprenticeship Act, 2016, which aims to promote apprenticeship training under the original Apprentices Act, 1961. He underlined that the scheme provides financial assistance to establishments engaging apprentices, covering a portion of the stipend and basic training costs.
He also mentioned that the NAPS aims to strengthen the industry-academia linkage, ensuring that students and trainees receive exposure to practical work environments alongside their academic curriculum.
Joint Secretary cum CEO Niyukti Krendra, SDD, Ms Sushma Pradhan, presented a presentation on the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS).
The presentation covered key aspects of the Apprenticeship Act, 1961, the overall framework of NAPS, and its benefits for both employers and apprentices. It aims to regulate and promote the training of apprentices in various trades and sectors. The Act ensures that both employers and apprentices adhere to a structured framework that balances theoretical learning with the job practical experience.
She also elaborated on the Apprenticeship Training Landscape and explained the Apprenticeship Lifecycle, detailing each stage from registration to successful completion of training. Highlighting the benefits for employers, she mentioned areas such as social impact, compliance facilitation, organizational stability, creation of a sustainable workforce pipeline, and ease of doing business incentives.
Additionally, she outlined the Guidelines for Implementation of NAPS, emphasising transparency, collaboration, and accountability between industries, institutions, and implementing agencies.
She also briefed the participants on the crucial role of Niyukti Kendra in facilitating apprenticeship linkages, coordinating between employers and trainees, and ensuring effective monitoring and promotion of NAPS across the state.
Branch Head Yuwa Sakti Foundation (YSF) Mr Zigmee Sherpa provided a detailed, step-by-step demonstration of the process for completing apprenticeship registration on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal.
He informed the participants through the online form explaining how to create an account and submit the form correctly to avoid common errors. He also listed the documents commonly required on the portal.
Further, he provided a clear overview of the NATS specifically for engineering graduates and diploma holders, describing eligibility criteria, the typical duration and structure of training, and assessment and certification procedures.
The programme also featured an experience sharing by the representatives and department officials, where they shared their insights and personal experiences under different skill development initiatives.
In addition, participants actively took part in the registration process on the NAPS portal, guided by the officials and facilitators present, enabling them to gain a hands on understanding of the online application procedures.
The programme concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony, where the chief guest, along with other dignitaries, presented Certificates of Participation to all the participating establishments, Apprenticeship Completion Certificates to successful trainees, and Offer Letters to newly selected apprentices.
Also present were DC Namchi Ms Anupa Tamling, Chairman OBC Board, Mr Hukum Chandra, Assistant Director-II SDD, Mr Nawraj Lamsal, Principal Government Kamrang College, Mr Deepak Tiwari, Principal Government Industrial Training Institutions (ITI), Mr Mingma Norbu Bhutia, Cooperative Heads, along with officials and resource persons from Niyukti Kendra, students and staff members of Government Kamrang College Namchi and Industrial Training Institutions (ITI).
The workshop aims to create awareness on apprenticeship opportunities, streamline the implementation of NAPS and encourage greater participation of Youth & employees to fill the gap between job seekers and employers.
The programme had the presence of MLA of 11 Namchi Singhithang Constituency Mr Satish Chandra Rai, as the chief guest.
During the speech, he, emphasised the importance of skill-based learning and the value of the Apprenticeship Programme under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS).
In his address, he highlighted that “apprenticeship means learning by earning,” and encouraged students to balance academic pursuits with practical skill training. He noted that while many youths today obtain degrees from colleges and universities, only a few acquire the technical and professional skills needed in the modern workforce.
He further stated that the current era demands skilled individuals rather than only degree holders. “If you are skilled, you can earn your livelihood anywhere. But without skills, even a graduate or postgraduate struggles to find suitable employment,” he remarked.
Moreover, he urged the students to lead disciplined and responsible lives by staying away from harmful habits such as drug use, alcohol, and gambling, which can derail their future. He encouraged the youth to embrace apprenticeship opportunities to enhance employability and become self reliant.
He inspired the students to focus not only on academic excellence but also on developing practical competencies that align with the evolving job market.
Deputy Director-I, Mr D D Sharma, briefed the gathering on the objectives and components of the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). He highlighted that the scheme serves as an important bridge between job seekers and employers by providing hands-on training opportunities in real workplace settings.
He explained that the apprenticeship model not only sharpens existing skills but also enables individuals to acquire new and industry-relevant competencies that enhance their employability.
Further, he elaborated on the key provisions of the Apprenticeship Act, 2016, which aims to promote apprenticeship training under the original Apprentices Act, 1961. He underlined that the scheme provides financial assistance to establishments engaging apprentices, covering a portion of the stipend and basic training costs.
He also mentioned that the NAPS aims to strengthen the industry-academia linkage, ensuring that students and trainees receive exposure to practical work environments alongside their academic curriculum.
Joint Secretary cum CEO Niyukti Krendra, SDD, Ms Sushma Pradhan, presented a presentation on the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS).
The presentation covered key aspects of the Apprenticeship Act, 1961, the overall framework of NAPS, and its benefits for both employers and apprentices. It aims to regulate and promote the training of apprentices in various trades and sectors. The Act ensures that both employers and apprentices adhere to a structured framework that balances theoretical learning with the job practical experience.
She also elaborated on the Apprenticeship Training Landscape and explained the Apprenticeship Lifecycle, detailing each stage from registration to successful completion of training. Highlighting the benefits for employers, she mentioned areas such as social impact, compliance facilitation, organizational stability, creation of a sustainable workforce pipeline, and ease of doing business incentives.
Additionally, she outlined the Guidelines for Implementation of NAPS, emphasising transparency, collaboration, and accountability between industries, institutions, and implementing agencies.
She also briefed the participants on the crucial role of Niyukti Kendra in facilitating apprenticeship linkages, coordinating between employers and trainees, and ensuring effective monitoring and promotion of NAPS across the state.
Branch Head Yuwa Sakti Foundation (YSF) Mr Zigmee Sherpa provided a detailed, step-by-step demonstration of the process for completing apprenticeship registration on the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal.
He informed the participants through the online form explaining how to create an account and submit the form correctly to avoid common errors. He also listed the documents commonly required on the portal.
Further, he provided a clear overview of the NATS specifically for engineering graduates and diploma holders, describing eligibility criteria, the typical duration and structure of training, and assessment and certification procedures.
The programme also featured an experience sharing by the representatives and department officials, where they shared their insights and personal experiences under different skill development initiatives.
In addition, participants actively took part in the registration process on the NAPS portal, guided by the officials and facilitators present, enabling them to gain a hands on understanding of the online application procedures.
The programme concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony, where the chief guest, along with other dignitaries, presented Certificates of Participation to all the participating establishments, Apprenticeship Completion Certificates to successful trainees, and Offer Letters to newly selected apprentices.
Also present were DC Namchi Ms Anupa Tamling, Chairman OBC Board, Mr Hukum Chandra, Assistant Director-II SDD, Mr Nawraj Lamsal, Principal Government Kamrang College, Mr Deepak Tiwari, Principal Government Industrial Training Institutions (ITI), Mr Mingma Norbu Bhutia, Cooperative Heads, along with officials and resource persons from Niyukti Kendra, students and staff members of Government Kamrang College Namchi and Industrial Training Institutions (ITI).