Revolutionizing Education through Apprenticeship-Embedded Degree Programs

India is marching towards the goal of Viksit Bharat, aiming to become a developed country by 2047. As part of this vision, the country strives to grow its economy to $5 trillion in the next three years, which requires a more well-trained and skilled workforce. and skilled talent pool. To achieve this ambitious goal, the country must prioritize initiatives that equip its citizens with the necessary skills. One such transformative approach is Apprenticeship-Embedded Degree Programs (AEDP), which seamlessly integrate practical work experience with higher education.

Author : Mr. Pravesh Dudani, Founder and Chancellor, Medhavi Skills University

The urgent need for AEDP is underscored by India’s significant skill gap. It is estimated that only 2.3% of the workforce here has undergone formal skill training, as compared to 68% in the UK, 75% in Germany, 52% in the USA, 80% in Japan, and 96% in South Korea. For India to scale up the economic ladder, it must expedite its skill training initiatives to meet the demands of employers and industries. To bridge this gap and drive economic growth, India must rapidly expand its skill development efforts, and AEDP stands at the forefront of this endeavor.

By aligning workforce skills with industry needs, AEDP is poised to play a pivotal role in India’s economic and social progress. This innovative approach not only enhances the employability of graduates but also strengthens the competitiveness of Indian businesses, ultimately contributing to the nation’s transformation into a developed country.

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 (QOE) in India. Supported by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Government of India, the initiative links 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.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has devised guidelines under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to implement degree apprenticeships. This UGC-formulated program is a credit-based system with a blend of on-the-job training and theory classes.

For imparting on-job-training (OJT) and experiential learning to students in real industry setups, AEDP plays a pivotal role. Traditional universities can dedicate 1 semester to experiential learning through AEDP for industry integration. Skill universities, on the other hand, The provisions and parameters mentioned in the National Credit Framework (NCrF), allow skill universities to incorporate up to 70% skilling component in their courses. They emphasize more on practical skills through their competency based curriculum.

A prescribed assessment and evaluation system ensures the credibility of the AEDP system employed by universities in collaboration with industries to track student progress. Apprentices are evaluated based on their attendance and performance during the apprenticeship period, with the required attendance set by the Higher Education Institute (HEI). The evaluation process includes three stages: Evaluations by the industry and on-site faculty/mentor (optional), and a seminar presentation or Viva-Voce at the institute. The final grade is determined by averaging the marks from the industry and the institute.

The credit mechanism integrates apprenticeship/internship credits into the overall degree credits, ensuring alignment with the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS). At least 20% of total credits must be dedicated to apprenticeship/internship. HEIs must assign a minimum of 24 core course credits that align with undergraduate disciplines, ensuring eligibility for postgraduate programs. Flexibility is provided for institutions following an annual system, and apprenticeships should align with domain-specific coursework to ensure vertical mobility for students.

According to the NCrF, 30 hours of training equate to 1 credit, meaning 1,200 hours of apprenticeship training would correspond to a minimum of 40 credits. Similarly, a 6-month apprenticeship (600 hours) would equate to 20 credits. Learners document their experiences in logbooks, and credits are awarded based on the alignment of practical and experiential learning outcomes with theoretical components, recognizing apprenticeships as essential to educational achievement.

AEDP is an innovative higher education tool which is a mutually beneficial model for the students, universities and industries.

AEDP Vantage for Industries 

According to a whitepaper titled “ROI on Apprenticeship 2021” by National Employability Through Apprenticeship Program (NETAP), 76% of the employers surveyed said that apprenticeship reduces attrition by building a bond of loyalty with the organization. 63% of the employers surveyed believe that apprenticeships improve their overall performance and provide a competitive advantage over other firms.

On-the-job training aligned with traditional classroom training has a positive impact on the learners, leading to better work performance, enhanced employability, and overall productivity. As  per a TeamLease EDTECH 2022 Report, 92% of Indian universities believe that degree apprenticeship yields better results and is more beneficial for the students as compared to regular degrees in order to meet the demands of the 21st century workplace.

Also read: Unpacking the National Credit Framework (NCrF)

The Apprenticeship-Embedded Degree Programs are instrumental in:

1. Bridging the skill gap: – AEDPs are co-developed by universities in consultation with industry stakeholders, ensuring that the curriculum aligns with current industry demands. This collaboration helps address the persistent issue of skill gaps by producing graduates equipped with the competencies needed to meet industry expectations, thereby enhancing the mobility of fresh talent across various sectors.
2. Creating a long-term supply chain of talent: When industries hire fresh graduates with no experience, they often spend a significant amount of time and resources training the employees to meet their needs. Integrating apprenticeships or internships offers a traineeship experience conducted directly at the workplace, rather than on campus to meet the long-term supply chain of talent that meets their demand.
3. Building a network of professionals: AEDP also facilitates the development of a strong professional network. Industry partners gain early access to potential hires, while students build relationships with experienced professionals. This ongoing connection helps industries retain top talent and stay competitive in a dynamic job market, all while contributing to students’ career development.
4. Reducing recruitment and training costs: Industry partners benefit by gaining access to pre-trained graduates who have already undergone practical, hands-on experience within their field. This reduces the need for initial training, lowers recruitment costs, and allows companies to focus on upskilling or developing higher-level expertise among their new employees.
5. CSR Benefits: The industries can include upskilling through AEDP under their mandated CSR activities. Companies participating in the programme can claim these amounts from their CSR funds.

Given the diverse social and economic scenario in the country, many youngsters prefer to pursue a higher education degree than do an apprenticeship. With the emergence of new programmes in niche fields such as beauty, fashion, technology, management, manufacturing, and more, students can now pursue their passions while getting a degree.

Therefore, a degree combined with an apprenticeship that provides rich practical experience is a winning model and a step towards achieving the vision set by the National Skill Development Mission. AEDP, if accepted widely and implemented across the country, can become a driver of social mobility and create a competent and skilled workforce to fuel economic growth and innovation in India.