Meghalaya records highest jump in apprenticeships as Centre expands PM-NAPS for Northeast

State registers 95% growth in apprenticeship participation; Centre raises Northeast target to 30,000 trainees with ₹57.58 crore support.

Shillong, July 17: Meghalaya has emerged as the Northeast’s fastest-growing state in apprenticeship participation, recording a 95% increase under the Centre’s flagship apprenticeship programme, as the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) announced an expanded push to train 30,000 youth across the region during 2026-27.

The ministry on Friday extended its Special Intervention for Promotion of Apprenticeship in the North Eastern Region under the Prime Minister’s National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), allocating ₹57.58 crore for the initiative.

The programme, to be implemented by the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati, builds on a pilot launched in 2025 that exceeded 90% of its target.

According to the ministry, Meghalaya recorded the highest growth in apprenticeship engagement among all northeastern states, with participation rising by 95% during the pilot phase.

The expanded programme aims to engage 30,000 apprentices this financial year—about 15% more than the pilot phase. Of these, 15,000 youth will be placed in industries, government departments and public sector undertakings outside the Northeast, while another 15,000 will undergo apprenticeship training within the region, including in their home states.

In a significant change, the Centre has extended the additional monthly incentive of ₹1,500 to apprentices training within their home states in the Northeast. Earlier, the incentive was largely available to those taking up apprenticeships outside their domicile state.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary said the expansion would provide more young people from the Northeast with industry exposure and improve their employability while encouraging greater participation from industries and government establishments.

The ministry said the pilot programme facilitated apprenticeship opportunities for 23,470 youth against a target of 26,000, with overall apprenticeship engagement in the Northeast increasing by 51%—from 15,562 in 2024-25 to 23,470 in 2025-26.

Of the apprentices, 13,673 secured placements outside their home states, while 9,797 were trained within the Northeast.

The pilot also witnessed a sharp rise in women’s participation, while apprenticeship opportunities in government establishments doubled and private sector participation expanded significantly.

The Centre said the extended intervention will also focus on awareness campaigns, employer engagement and collaboration with educational institutions to strengthen the app

Also Read: HYC honours forgotten Khasi freedom fighters with towering memorials

Also Watch

Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.