The Ministry of Human Resource Development, Prakash Javadekar, on February 27, 2019, launched the Scheme for Higher Education Youth in Apprenticeship and Skills (SHREYAS). It aims to enhance the employability of Indian youth by providing ‘on the job work exposure’ and earning of stipend or wages. The scheme is for students pursuing degree courses, primarily non-technical, to introduce employable skills into their learning and promote apprenticeship as an integral part of education.

SHREYAS portal will enable educational institutions and industry to log in and provide their respective demand and apprenticeship supply. The matching of students with apprenticeship avenues will take place as per pre-specified eligibility criteria. The scheme would be working by coordinating the Ministry of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Ministry of Labour.

Objectives

• To improve students’ employability skills by introducing employment-related activities into the higher education system’s learning process.
• To frame a close functional link between the education and industry sectors on a supportable base.
• To distribute skills that actively require students.
• To set up an ‘earn while you learn’ system into the higher education system.
• To help the business industry in connecting good quality workforce.
• To link the student section with employment facilitating the creation of the Government.

Ministries Involved

The SHREYAS Scheme is a program comprising the initiatives of three central ministries:

• The Ministry of Human Resources Development,
• Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and
• The Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Functioning

SHREYAS scheme will be controlled in coincidence with the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) that places apprentices or trainees up to 10 percent of the total labor force in all industries. This scheme will be deployed by the Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) initially in the Banking Finance Insurance Services (BFSI), Retail, Health care, Logistics, Media, and Apparel. More other sectors will be added over time with the creation of apprenticeship demand.

Financing

Under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) scheme, the Central Government shares 25 percent of the stipend per month, subject to a maximum of Rs.1500 per month on the apprenticeship’s continuation. Apart from that, an amount up to Rs.7500 will be encountered towards the essential training cost, when necessary.

Target

The Scheme for Higher Education Youth in Apprenticeship and Skills (SHREYAS) aims to cover 50 lakh students by 2022.

Roles of the Agencies

Role of the Institutions: The institutions should explain the scheme for those in the final year of education. The institutions must register their students on the SHREYAS portal, indicating their student's skill job roles.

Role of SSCs: Sector Skill Councils should identify industries for apprenticeship and conduct tests leading to proof. They have to arrange and confirm the establishments where the students would be provided as apprenticeships.

Role of National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE): MSDE controls the NAPS program through NSDC. They will not only monitor the program, the progress of the apprentices, but also they finance the program by pay-out the claims from the business enterprises towards stipend reimbursement as per the NAPS.

Role of States: The State Governments have to play a significant role in securing apprenticeship opportunities for students, apart from the Sector Skill Councils, so that degree students passing out in April 2019 can get the option of industry & service sector apprenticeship.

Three Tracks in Implementation

1st Track: Add-on apprenticeship (Degree apprenticeship):

• The students who are currently completing their degree program would be invited to choose a job role of their own choice from a selected list of apprenticeship job roles given by the Sector Skill Councils.
• The apprenticeship program usually is about six months and would be prefixed by basic training regarding the sector.
• The program would commence immediately after completion of the degree program.
• During the apprenticeship, the student will get a monthly stipend of Rs.6,000 per month by the respective industry.
• At the end of the apprenticeship, a test conducted by the Sector Skill Council concerned and successful students will get a skill certificate in addition to their degree.

2nd track: Embedded Apprenticeship:

• The existing B. Vocational programs will be restructured into B. A (Professional), B.Sc (Professional), or B.Com (Professional) courses, which will include not only educational input, vocational input but also a compulsory apprenticeship ranging from 6 to 10 months depending on the requirement of the skillset.
• During the apprenticeship, the student will get a monthly stipend of about Rs.6,000 per month from the industry.

3rd Track: Linking National Career Service with Colleges:

• The National Career Service (NCS) portal of the Ministry of Labour & Employment will be connected with the Higher Education institutions.
• The students will be equipped with the soft skills required by the industry.

FAQs

Question. What is the SHREYAS Scheme?

Question. Who are the beneficiaries of the SHREYAS Scheme?

Question. What are the key objectives of the SHREYAS Scheme?

Question. What is the role of the Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) in the SHREYAS Scheme?

Question. How does the SHREYAS Scheme benefit industries?

MCQs with Explanation

1. What is the primary objective of the SHREYAS Scheme?

A) Provide free higher education

B) Integrate apprenticeship and skill development into higher education

C) Create job opportunities for the youth

D) Provide scholarships to students

2. Which of the following is the responsibility of the Ministry of Human Resource Development in the SHREYAS Scheme?

A) Identifying industries for apprenticeship

B) Setting up vocational training centers

C) Implementing policies related to education and skills

D) Funding the apprenticeship programs

3. Under the SHREYAS Scheme, how long do apprenticeship programs typically last?

A) 3-6 months

B) 1-2 years

C) 6-12 months

D) 5 years

4. Which of the following is a key feature of the SHREYAS Scheme?

A) Provide loans to students

B) Offer stipends to apprentices

C) Offer permanent employment after completion

D) None of the above

5. What role do Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) play in the SHREYAS Scheme?

A) Provide financial aid to students

B) Identify and register apprentices

C) Organize national skill competitions

D) Identify industries and facilitate training programs

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the role of the SHREYAS Scheme in improving the employability of youth in India.

Answer: The SHREYAS Scheme aims to improve the employability of Indian youth by providing them with work experience and industry-relevant skills while they are still in higher education. By integrating apprenticeship and skill development into academic programs, the scheme ensures that students gain hands-on experience, which increases their employability. The scheme is also designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry by making students job-ready. Additionally, it promotes the idea of “earn while you learn,” allowing students to gain financial independence while continuing their studies.

Q2: Analyze the potential impact of the SHREYAS Scheme on the Indian economy.

Answer: The SHREYAS Scheme can significantly impact the Indian economy by increasing the skill level of the youth workforce, thereby enhancing overall productivity. As more students gain practical experience through apprenticeships, industries will benefit from a more skilled and job-ready workforce, reducing the gap between education and employment. This can lead to increased efficiency in various sectors, from manufacturing to services, making Indian industries more competitive globally. Furthermore, the scheme will help reduce unemployment by equipping youth with the necessary skills to meet industry demands.

Q3: Evaluate the challenges faced by the SHREYAS Scheme in ensuring its successful implementation.

Answer: The SHREYAS Scheme faces several challenges in its implementation. One of the main challenges is the lack of awareness and participation from both students and industries. Many students are unaware of the apprenticeship opportunities available to them. Similarly, industries may not always be keen to participate in the scheme due to concerns over the costs and administrative burdens of hosting apprentices. Additionally, ensuring that apprenticeships meet industry standards and provide meaningful training opportunities requires continuous collaboration between educational institutions, SSCs, and industries. Lastly, reaching out to rural and underserved areas where access to such programs is limited remains a challenge.

Previous Year Questions on Shreyas Scheme 

1. UPSC CSE 2020

Question: "What are the key features of the SHREYAS Scheme, and how does it aim to bridge the skill gap in India?"

Answer: The SHREYAS Scheme focuses on integrating skill development and apprenticeships into higher education. It aims to bridge the skill gap by providing students with industry-relevant experience and skills, making them more employable upon graduation. The scheme promotes the idea of "earn while you learn" and facilitates connections between students and industries for practical training. By offering stipends and creating direct linkages with industries, the scheme enhances the quality of the workforce and reduces unemployment.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: "Analyze the role of apprenticeships in enhancing the employability of youth in India under the SHREYAS Scheme."

Answer: Apprenticeships under the SHREYAS Scheme are a key method for enhancing the employability of youth in India by providing them with hands-on experience and skills required by the industry. This not only helps students gain practical knowledge but also exposes them to the professional environment, improving their chances of securing a job after completion. By integrating apprenticeships with higher education, the scheme creates a pathway for students to enhance their job readiness, making them more competitive in the job market.