DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 5 (MExN): The Department of Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of Nagaland, organised a State Level Campaign on the Promotion of Apprenticeship under the Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS) on December 5 at the Capital Cultural Hall, Kohima. The programme was part of a pilot initiative to promote apprenticeship in the North Eastern Region.
“Nagaland has no shortage of talent but needs structured opportunities. Apprenticeship bridges this gap,” said Moatoshi Longkumer, MLA and Advisor, Labour & Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Excise, during his speech. He appreciated the organisers and partners and stressed that Nagaland’s youth cannot rely solely on education. They require experience, exposure, and industry immersion to become employable.
He noted that productivity in today’s environment requires more than traditional processes and that apprenticeship remains a transformative model. “Apprenticeship offers real workplace experience, helps industries build adaptable manpower, and gives our state a pipeline of skilled workers aligned with industry needs,” he said. Longkumer highlighted sectors such as hospitality, food services, electrical and plumbing trades, construction, MSMEs, retail, logistics, digital services, IT support, agriculture, food processing, handicrafts, carpentry, and graphic design as areas where youth can translate promise into capability through apprenticeship.
The Advisor stressed the need for convergence among government departments, industry bodies, Sector Skill Councils, and training providers to ensure policy alignment, training relevance, and larger participation. He reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to strengthening the apprenticeship ecosystem through improved industry engagement, upgraded ITIs, MSME support, and youth sensitisation. Longkumer encouraged industries to utilise PM-NAPS support, noting that apprentices bring energy, new ideas, and potential future employees. Addressing the youth, he said apprenticeship instills discipline, teamwork, and responsibility that classrooms cannot provide, and urged them to treat training seriously, learn continuously, and recognise that their first apprenticeship can shape the next decade of their career.
Delivering the welcome address, Sotsula, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Labour & Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, said the programme marked a significant step in strengthening skill development through industry–institution collaboration and enhancing employment opportunities for the youth. She highlighted that PM-NAPS enables young people to gain industry-ready skills through structured apprenticeship training and supports industries with a skilled and productive workforce. She encouraged more organisations to participate in nurturing talent and building a stronger skill ecosystem and urged participants to actively engage with the programme.
Officials from RDSDE, Assam, presented on PM-NAPS, detailing the Apprenticeship Awareness Workshop. They informed that over 15 lakh students pursue ITI courses across 1,170 trades annually and that apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with theoretical instruction to develop knowledge, skills, and workplace behaviour. The presentation included an overview of the Apprentices Act, 1961 (amended up to 2014) and Apprenticeship Rules, 1992 (amended up to 2019), covering establishment eligibility, training duration, candidate criteria, key provisions, and financial support under PM-NAPS. Officials noted that the government reimburses 25% of the prescribed stipend (up to Rs 1,500 per month) through DBT for eligible apprentices. Benefits for establishments and apprentices, policy amendments, virtual training, degree apprenticeships, special Northeast Region incentives, and the unified Apprenticeship Portal were also explained.
Speaking on “Apprenticeship: Importance of Convergence and the Way Ahead,” a resource person from IIE, Guwahati, said industries across cities such as Chennai, Delhi, and other states are interested in engaging apprentices from the Northeast. However, many youths remain hesitant to move outside their home states. He noted the Government of India has introduced a special Northeast incentive of Rs 1,500 per month for apprentices training outside their home state. He encouraged youth to gain broader exposure and long-term career benefits and stressed the need for improved communication among stakeholders, with apprenticeship programmes, workshops, and follow-up meetings helping address challenges collectively.
The resource person, sharing his long association with Nagaland since the 1990s, said the state feels like a second home and affirmed full support from the Ministry. He encouraged youth and stakeholders to promote apprenticeship, noting the scheme’s benefits in other states and its potential for the Northeast.
The programme included a networking session with Sector Skill Councils and Third Party Aggregators, allowing stakeholders to discuss candidate registration, apprenticeship opportunities, and establishment participation. An open discussion with officials from RDSDE, IIE, and other departments addressed participant queries on registration, post-enrolment processes, workplace harassment, sexual harassment, and placement opportunities. Officials stated that TPAs are responsible for ensuring a safe working environment for apprentices.
