The Department of Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of Nagaland, organised the State Level Campaign on Promotion of Apprenticeship under the PM-National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS) on 5th December 2025 at the Capital Cultural Hall, Kohima. The programme was held as part of the Pilot Initiative for the promotion of apprenticeship in the North Eastern Region.
“Nagaland has no shortage of talent but needs structured opportunities. Apprenticeship bridges this gap” said Moatoshi Longkumer, MLA & Advisor, Labour & Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Excise in his speech during the programme. He appreciated the organisers and partners and emphasised that Nagaland’s youth cannot rely solely on education. They require experience, exposure, and industry immersion to become employable.
He said productivity in today’s environment requires more than traditional processes, and apprenticeship remains a transformative model. Apprenticeship, he said, offers real workplace experience, helps industries build adaptable manpower, and gives our state a pipeline of skilled workers aligned with industry needs. Sectors such as hospitality, food services, electrical and plumbing trades, construction, MSMEs, retail, logistics, digital services, IT support, agriculture, food processing, handicrafts, carpentry, graphic design, and other emerging areas, these are areas where our youths already show promise and apprenticeship will help them translate this promise into capability.
The Advisor stressed the need for convergence across 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 sensitisation of youth. He encouraged industries to revisit apprenticeship and utilise the support available under PM-NAPS, noting that apprentices bring energy, new ideas, and potential future employees.
To the youth, he said apprenticeship is the beginning of their professional journey, instilling discipline, teamwork, and responsibility that classrooms cannot provide. He urged them to treat their training seriously, learn continuously, and understand that their first apprenticeship can shape the next decade of their career. He thanked the organisers and underlined the importance of long-term partnerships between industry, institutions, and the government to build a skilled and future-ready workforce.
Delivering the welcome address, Sotsula, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Labour & Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, said it was an honour to welcome all participants to the State-level event under the Prime Minister’s NAPS/Apprenticeship Scheme. She stated that the day marked a significant step in strengthening skill development through industry–institution collaboration and enhancing employment opportunities for the youth. She highlighted that PM-NAPS continues to serve as a major initiative of the Government of India, enabling young people to gain industry-ready skills through structured apprenticeship training.
She said the programme empowers apprentices with practical experience while supporting industries with a skilled and productive workforce. She encouraged more organisations to join the effort to nurture talent, foster innovation, and build a stronger skill ecosystem. She added that speakers for the day would guide participants through various aspects of the PM-NAPS programme and urged everyone to participate actively. She conveyed best wishes on behalf of the Department for the success of the programme.
A presentation on PM-NAPS was given by officials from RDSDE, Assam, highlighting key aspects of the Apprenticeship Awareness Workshop. The presenters informed that over 15 lakh students pursue ITI courses across 1,170 trades annually, and apprenticeship serves as a structured system combining on-the-job training with theoretical instruction. The objectives include developing knowledge, skills, and workplace behaviour, bridging the skill gap between academics and industry needs, and building a trained workforce pipeline.
An overview of the Apprentices Act, 1961 (amended up to 2014) and Apprenticeship Rules, 1992 (amended up to 2019) was presented, covering establishment eligibility, training duration, candidate criteria, key provisions, and the financial structure under NAPS. Officials explained that the Government reimburses 25% of the prescribed stipend (up to ₹1,500 per month) through DBT for eligible apprentices. Benefits for establishments and apprentices, policy amendments, new initiatives such as virtual training, degree apprenticeships, and special NER incentives, as well as the functioning of the unified Apprenticeship Portal, were also highlighted.
Speaking on “Apprenticeship: Importance of Convergence and the Way Ahead,” the resource person from IIE, Guwahati noted that industries across cities such as Chennai, Delhi and other states have expressed interest in engaging apprentices from the Northeast. However, many youths remain hesitant to move outside their home states. He mentioned that the Government of India has introduced a special Northeast incentive of ₹1,500 per month for apprentices who undergo training outside their home state. He encouraged young participants to step out of their comfort zones, saying that learning outside their hometown offers broader exposure, new perspectives, and long-term career benefits.
He stressed on improving communication between stakeholders and said apprenticeship programmes, workshops, and regular follow-up meetings by the Ministry would help address challenges collectively. Sharing his long association with Nagaland since the 1990s, he expressed that the State feels like a second home and affirmed full support from the Ministry. He encouraged the youth and all stakeholders to promote apprenticeship, saying many other states have benefitted significantly from the scheme and that the Northeast must also utilise it fully.
This was followed by a networking session with Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) and Third Party Aggregators (TPAs), during which stakeholders discussed candidate registration, apprenticeship opportunities and establishment participation.
An open discussion and interaction session with officials from RDSDE, IIE and other departments was also held, allowing participants to raise queries and share concerns. Participants raised questions regarding the entire registration process and the steps that follow after enrolment. Concerns related to sexual harassment and workplace harassment were also discussed, with participants seeking clarity on the support mechanisms available in such situations. Officials informed that TPAs are responsible for addressing these issues and ensuring a safe working environment for apprentices. Queries on placement opportunities after the completion of apprenticeship were also taken up during the interaction.
The programme concluded with the Vote of Thanks delivered by Savio Visa, Director, DESDE, who expressed gratitude to all officials, resource persons and participants for their contributions.
The campaign aims to enhance awareness, strengthen industry participation, and promote wider apprenticeship engagement across the State. Through the Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), the initiative encourages youth and organisations to join India’s largest apprenticeship network. The scheme supports the creation of a skilled workforce pipeline, reduces training expenditure for industries, and provides government-funded stipend assistance to apprentices, ensuring that both trainees and establishments benefit from the programme.
Apprenticeship opportunities are open to all: ITI graduates can undergo a one-year apprenticeship aligned to their trade, while candidates with qualifications from Class 8 onwards are also eligible, with longer training durations to ensure they gain the required industry skills. The scheme allows youth from different educational backgrounds to enter the workforce through structured, hands-on learning.
(Molungnenla, IA)
