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Leh, September 23, 2026: Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Leh organised an Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela (PMNAM) today at the ITI Leh campus with the objective of connecting students and skilled youth with government departments and private establishments to facilitate apprenticeship training and hands-on workplace training opportunities.
Addressing the gathering, Administrative Secretary, Technical Education and Skill Development, Bhanu Prabha, highlighted the importance of apprenticeship in providing practical workplace exposure to trainees. Emphasising the concept of ‘learning by doing’, she encouraged students to make effective use of their technical knowledge, develop management skills and strengthen teamwork abilities through practical training in real work environments.
The Secretary highlighted the potential of apprenticeship programmes in strengthening the industry–skill ecosystem. She emphasised the need for establishments to engage apprentices as per applicable guidelines and encouraged private firms/ industries, hospitals and other establishments to engage apprentices under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme. She also noted that apprenticeship can provide a pathway for trainees to transition into regular employment opportunities.
Briefing the students, Assistant Director, Technical Education & Skill Development Department, Shri Abied Hussain, apprised the participants of the stipend benefits available during the apprenticeship period. He informed that trainees will receive monthly stipends ranging from ₹6,800 to ₹12,300, as per the Apprenticeship (Amendment) Rules, 2025, depending on the educational qualification stipulated in the curriculum.
He further informed that the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) provides partial stipend support for apprentices engaged under the Apprentices Act, 1961 by private establishments. Under the scheme, Government support is limited to 25% of the stipend paid, subject to a maximum of ₹1,500 per apprentice per month during the training period. The Government contribution is transferred directly to the apprentice through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
The PMNAM provided a platform for direct interaction between students and representatives of prospective employers. Various government departments and private establishments, including PWD, Animal Husbandry, and Industries and Commerce, among others, set up counters to provide information regarding available trades, eligibility criteria, application procedures and duration of apprenticeship training.
The Secretary, Technical Education & Skill Development Department, UT Ladakh, urged government departments, private industries, hospitals and other establishments across the region to come forward and engage apprentices, thereby providing the youth of Ladakh with meaningful opportunities for practical training, skill enhancement and employment.
The event was attended by DDO, ITI Leh, Atul Singh Mankotia,JKAS; Assistant Director, Technical Education & Skill Development , Abied Hussain; teaching and non-teaching staff of ITI Leh; and students.
The Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela (PMNAM) is an important initiative under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) aimed at promoting apprenticeship training and increasing the engagement of apprentices by connecting youth with establishments offering structured on-the-job training and practical workplace experience. The initiative seeks to strengthen industry–youth linkages, facilitate experiential learning and enhance the employability of the youth of Ladakh.
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