Jammu and Kashmir has taken a significant step towards enhancing vocational training and employment opportunities by establishing a Union Territory Apprenticeship Council (UTAC) and a Union Territory Implementation Review Committee (UTIRC). These bodies have been constituted to strengthen and meticulously monitor the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) across the region. The move signals a concerted effort by the administration to integrate youth into the workforce through structured on-the-job training and skill development initiatives.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the formation of these two crucial bodies was officially notified through a government order. The UTAC, a 20-member council, will be chaired by the minister in charge of the skill development department. It is envisioned as the apex advisory and coordination mechanism, tasked with providing strategic guidance for the expansion of apprenticeship training programs. The council’s mandate includes fostering greater industry participation, identifying and creating employment opportunities within local industries, and actively promoting apprenticeship as a viable pathway to sustained employment. A key objective is to mobilize Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and emerging industries to engage apprentices, thereby broadening the scope of practical training.
Furthermore, the UTAC will champion on-the-job training, the dual system of training, and apprenticeship-based learning through various educational institutions, including Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and polytechnics. The administrative secretary of the skill development department will serve as the vice-chairperson, with the department’s apprenticeship advisor-cum-director acting as the member secretary. The council’s composition is diverse, incorporating administrative secretaries from key government departments, representatives from universities, the Directorate General of Training (DGT), Assistant Apprenticeship Advisors, and delegates from the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), among other stakeholders. This broad representation aims to ensure a holistic approach to apprenticeship promotion and implementation.
The council is also expected to promote convergence between apprenticeship initiatives and various Central and Union Territory government schemes, thereby creating a synergistic effect. It will play a vital role in strengthening coordination among District Skill Committees, Employment Offices, ITIs, polytechnics, industries, and industry associations. Regular reviews of apprenticeship targets, engagement rates, completion statistics, and the transition of apprentices into permanent employment will be a core function. The council will also be instrumental in identifying and addressing any bottlenecks that hinder the effective implementation of the NAPS. A significant focus will be placed on facilitating greater industry involvement in curriculum development and the identification of emerging trades and occupational requirements that align with market demands. Special emphasis is being placed on high-growth sectors such as manufacturing, tourism and hospitality, IT/ITES, electronics, renewable energy, construction, logistics, healthcare, and the automotive industry. The UTAC will also be responsible for preparing and periodically reviewing a UT-level annual apprenticeship action plan, complete with measurable targets for districts, sectors, trades, and individual establishments, thereby providing a unified platform for stakeholder coordination.
Complementing the UTAC, the 50-member Union Territory Level Implementation Review Committee (UTIRC) has also been constituted. This committee will be chaired by the administrative secretary of the skill development department, with the mission director serving as the member secretary. The UTIRC’s membership includes prominent representatives from industry bodies, such as the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jammu and Kashmir, the Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), J&K, and the Chairman of the Federation of Industries, J&K. This inclusion underscores the administration’s commitment to ensuring active industry participation in the scheme’s execution.
The primary role of the UTIRC will be to coordinate, implement, and monitor the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme at the Union Territory level, adhering strictly to applicable guidelines. The committee will regularly review the overall progress and key performance indicators of NAPS implementation across Jammu and Kashmir. It will also scrutinize reports from District Skill Committees and monitor district-wise apprenticeship engagement and performance. Facilitating seamless coordination among various government departments, the Regional Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (RDSDE), apprenticeship advisers, NSDC, industries, and other relevant stakeholders will be a critical function of the UTIRC. Furthermore, the committee will assess awareness and mobilization activities, with a particular focus on reaching MSMEs, priority sectors, and emerging industries. Identifying implementation challenges and proposing actionable improvements will be a continuous endeavor. The UTIRC will be responsible for reporting progress and any encountered challenges to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) as required. The government order also grants the Chairman the authority to nominate additional members as needed to ensure the effective discharge of the committee’s mandate, highlighting a flexible and adaptive approach to program oversight.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.