PANAJI
At a time when apprenticeship programmes are meant to boost employability, the Goa government has revealed two worrying gaps as part of its ambitious apprenticeship initiative -- a drop in the number of apprentices across departments and the absence of any data on their job placements after training.
The data also claims that number of apprentices engaged under the Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS) and the Goa Chief Minister’s Apprenticeship Policy for Government Establishments – 2023 (GCMAP-2023) for training purposes also opt for apprentices in private sector.
In a written reply tabled on the Floor of the House, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed that since 2023-24 -- when the scheme was modified -- total 11,081 candidates were roped in as apprentices across various departments and government run corporations for a period of one year while another 6000 opted for private establishments.
Sawant, however, added that the placement details of apprentices after completing their training are not maintained by the department of skill development and entrepreneurship. He further stated that data pertaining to apprenticeship training under the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) is also not maintained.
“The placement details post completion of apprenticeship training are not maintained,” Sawant said
Figures presented in the House revealed a steady decline in apprentices appointed in various government departments. While 4,312 apprentices were appointed in 2023–24, the number dropped to 3,479 in 2024–25 and further to 3,290 in 2025–26.
The government also clarified that there are no separate categories of apprentices under the apprenticeship scheme, though ITI pass candidates undergo training under designated courses while non-ITI candidates can undergo apprenticeship training under optional courses.
The House was further informed that the Apprenticeship Training Scheme (ATS) is a Central Government scheme implemented in the State through the respective state governments, and apprenticeship training is a continuous process. The government said that both the PM-NAPS and the Goa Chief Minister’s Apprenticeship Policy-2023 will continue to be implemented in Goa.
The Goa Chief Minister’s Apprenticeship Policy 2023 was initially introduced in 2021 and later updated in 2023 to increase youth employability through on-the-job training in both government and private sectors. The scheme offers a stipend Rs 8,000- Rs 13,000 per month for one year based on the education qualification starting from school drop-out post Class 5.
