The Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, launched the National Apprenticeship and Training Scheme (NATS) 2.0 portal, which aims to improve apprenticeship opportunities for young graduates and diploma holders. The portal facilitates registration, application, and matching candidates with employers. Additionally, Rs 100 crore in stipends were disbursed to apprentices through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Pradhan emphasized the importance of building skills beyond degrees in today’s technologically driven world and encouraged industries and educational institutions to participate in the NATS 2.0 initiative. The minister highlighted the government’s commitment to fostering skills and employment, urging stakeholders to develop a comprehensive strategy to harness the country’s demographic dividend.
The NATS 2.0 portal, developed by the Ministry of Education, manages the apprenticeship lifecycle, including student registration, vacancy advertisement, contract creation, certification, and stipend disbursal through DBT. The portal aligns with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), which aims to mainstream vocational education and promote the integration of general and vocational education.
