A recent wave of degree apprenticeships has been enthralling in India as according to a new report on degree apprenticeships by TeamLease EdTech, "92% of Indian universities believe that degree apprenticeships yield better results are more beneficial for university students than regular degrees in order to meet the demands of the 21 st -century workplace." To make students industry-ready, degree apprenticeships combine learning and on-the-job training, with the potential to earn while you learn.
The latest ‘Future of Apprenticeship in India’ report by TeamLease EdTech further reveals that around 70.16% of universities and Higher Education Institutes believe that with the introduction of new Degree Apprenticeship programs and a significant increase in the demand for hiring apprentices, India will have more than 10 million apprentices in the next 5 years. In addition, 72% reported that Degree Apprenticeships enable students in learning the nitty-gritty of the corporate world and acquiring the skills needed to work in a team.
The National Education Policy 2020 has also set the foundation for more universities to come forward and launch degree apprenticeship programs. With only 4-5 universities in India currently offering degree apprenticeships, there are approximately 63,000 active degree apprentices. Hence, the number is quite significant to understand the demand for such programs.
The Times of India has also covered insights from the survey, stating that “Currently the overall intake of apprentices across India Inc has seen a significant surge amidst the Covid- 19 pandemic – it helped organizations variable their costs and build sustainable talent supply chains for their organizations thereby making them resilient to talent risks."
In this regard, Prof. K.R.S. Sambasiva Rao, the vice-chancellor of Mizoram University remarked that "the apprenticeship linked degree programs are becoming more popular in the current Covid-19 situation, as it can improve the scope of employment options as well as give employability skills."
Among the other interesting findings of the study, the report points out that degree apprenticeships are also helping to address the problem of GER dropout in higher education institutions.
Further, it is important to note that degree apprenticeships enable students to learn skills through a combination of working in the field and pursuing education. This strong blend of theory and practice is more effective than regular degree programs because students don’t just graduate with theoretical knowledge, but also leave with practical experience. The report further suggests that the apprenticeship model equips the students with basic work experience and essential soft skills, thus making them more employable.
