In today’s evolving job market, the emphasis is increasingly shifting from just acquiring academic qualifications to gaining practical, hands-on experience. Recognizing this need, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has launched the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP) which is a transformative step towards making higher education more employment-oriented and aligned with industry needs.
Rooted in the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, AEDP aims to integrate apprenticeships into formal undergraduate degree programs, enabling students to gain valuable work experience during their academic journey. It marks a significant shift in how we perceive learning and moving from theory-heavy approaches to real-world, skill-driven education.
Apprenticeship-Embedded Degree Programs (AEDP): An Overview
AEDP is a transformative initiative that integrates higher education with practical work experience, aiming to improve the quality of education in India. Supported by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Government of India, the initiative connects apprenticeship programs with education. It plays a key role in the National Skill Development Mission, under the Directorate General of Training’s Training and Apprenticeship verticals.
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Objectives of Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP)
The primary objective of AEDP is to enhance the employability of graduates by providing them with practical training in real work environments as part of their curriculum. Specifically, AEDP aims to:
- Provide structured industry exposure to students while pursuing their degree.
- Promote work-integrated learning in higher education institutions (HEIs).
- Encourage academic-industry collaboration for skill development.
- Bridge the gap between education and employment by making students job-ready.
Key benefits of AEDP
The AEDP offers a multitude of benefits for students, educational institutions, and employers alike:
For students:
- Gain real-world experience alongside academic learning.
- Improve soft skills, workplace readiness, and adaptability.
- Enhance their employment prospects upon graduation.
Educational institutions:
- Strengthen ties with industry for better curriculum relevance.
- Offer differentiated, value-added programs to attract students.
- Deliver multi-exit, flexible degree options as per NEP 2020.
Industry partners:
- Contribute to shaping a future-ready workforce.
- Identify and train potential employees early
- Collaborate on domain-specific curriculum design.
UGC Guidelines for AEDP
To ensure uniform implementation, the UGC released detailed guidelines for HEIs intending to offer AEDP. These guidelines outline:
- Credit Structure: A minimum of 30 credits dedicated to the apprenticeship component (1 credit = 45 hours of learning/work).
- Eligibility: Only HEIs meeting NAAC/NIRF benchmarks are permitted to implement AEDP.
- Partnerships: Institutions must form partnerships with industries, MSMEs, Sector Skill Councils (SSCs), or government agencies.
- Funding support: Apprenticeships can be supported under schemes like NAPS (National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme) and NATS (National Apprenticeship Training Scheme).
Which institutions can offer AEDP?
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) can offer the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP) if they:
- Are ranked in the university category of the NIRF rankings or hold a valid NAAC grade/score
- And meet the other eligibility criteria specified by the UGC
These guidelines ensure that AEDP is delivered with academic rigour, industry relevance, and measurable outcomes. For detailed implementation requirements, eligibility, and academic structuring, refer to the official UGC guidelines here: Click here!
Implementation in action
Among the early adopters of AEDP is the state of Telangana, where select government and autonomous colleges have successfully rolled out the program in degrees like B.Com. and B.Sc. These institutions are collaborating with local industry clusters to embed apprenticeships within the degree structure.
Students are now engaging in hands-on learning in sectors like retail, finance, logistics, IT, and healthcare. These initiatives not only improve employability but also build confidence and workplace familiarity among students.
The Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme is more than just a policy initiative; it is a visionary shift toward a practical, learner-centric model of higher education. By embedding apprenticeships into the fabric of undergraduate degrees, AEDP fosters a stronger connection between education and employment.
For students, it means graduating with a degree and real-world work experience. For institutions, it offers a way to deliver meaningful, skill-based education. And for industries, it creates a pipeline of young, trained professionals ready to contribute from day one.
As AEDP continues to roll out across India, it holds the potential to revolutionize how we learn, train, and work by making our youth truly future-ready.
References:
1. UGC Guidelines for HIEs to offer Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP)
2. AICTE Guidelines for Apprenticeship Embedded Degree/Diploma Programme (AEDP)
3. Apprenticeship India Portal
4. National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
