UP Cabinet Expands Apprenticeship Scheme To Include All Graduates, Raises Stipend To Rs 9,000 Per Month

Lucknow, August 23 (TNA) The Uttar Pradesh cabinet at a meeting chaired by chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday approved the expansion of the Chief Minister's Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (Higher Education) to encompass all graduate students, regardless of their academic discipline.

This strategic move seeks to foster employment opportunities for diploma and degree holders across various fields by emphasizing skill development. Under the revised scheme, the monthly stipend has been augmented to Rs 9,000, with the state government reimbursing Rs 1,000, and the remaining sum split between the Centre (Rs 4,500) and participating firms (Rs 3,500) where apprenticeships will take place. A dedicated budget of Rs 100 crore has been allocated to support this initiative.

Previously limited to diploma holders, this extension opens up the scheme to graduates from any background. Finance Minister Suresh Khanna expressed optimism that the initiative will effectively extend the benefits of the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme to a broader range of candidates, thereby incentivizing private institutions to engage graduates and non-technical diploma holders as trainees.

It is projected that approximately 10 lakh young individuals could benefit from the scheme this year. By providing financial incentives to private institutions, the government aims to encourage greater participation, ultimately leading to enhanced employment prospects for the youth and a skilled workforce for both private and public sectors.