In a significant boost to its skill development mission, the Uttar Pradesh government has successfully placed a massive 83,277 young individuals as apprentices in various industrial and MSME units during the 2025-26 period. This landmark achievement, announced by officials on Wednesday, underscores the state's focused drive to provide employment-oriented training to its youth.
Earn While You Learn: The Dual Scheme Success
This large-scale placement is the result of two key initiatives: the central government's National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and the state's own Chief Minister Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (CMAPS). Together, they form the backbone of the government's "earn while you learn" model, designed to offer practical, hands-on exposure across manufacturing, services, and small and medium enterprises.
Kapil Dev Agarwal, the Minister of State with independent charge for Vocational Education, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship, emphasized the programme's holistic impact. He stated that it goes beyond mere certification, equipping youth with real-world work experience. This approach ensures meaningful connections with industry and opens doors to potential self-employment opportunities for the trainees.
Financial Support and Expanding Reach
A critical feature driving the scheme's adoption is the financial support mechanism. Officials highlighted that the schemes offer reimbursement facilities to both the apprentices and the participating companies. This dual benefit provides crucial monetary support to trainees during their learning period while simultaneously incentivizing more industries to engage with fresh talent.
The state's persistent efforts are clearly bearing fruit. Over the last four years, 795 new establishments have registered on the apprenticeship portal, significantly widening the network of training opportunities across all districts. Furthermore, under the CMAPS initiative specifically, an additional 6,164 candidates have benefited from the specialised programme.
Building a Hub of Skilled Manpower
Minister Agarwal credited this integrated model of combining skill training with practical industrial exposure for markedly improving the employability of Uttar Pradesh's youth. He asserted that under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state is rapidly emerging as a premier hub for skilled manpower in the country.
The government also provided a broader perspective on its long-term skill development vision. Sustained initiatives over the past nine years have enabled more than four lakh (400,000) trained youth to secure employment in various industrial establishments. This trend solidifies Uttar Pradesh's growing reputation as a leading centre for skilled human resources, attracting further investment.
Looking ahead, officials revealed plans to strengthen digital platforms and simplify procedures to make the apprenticeship ecosystem more efficient. The state aims to deepen coordination with industries, start-ups, and MSMEs to expand coverage even further. The ultimate goal is to create a skilled and self-reliant youth workforce that not only generates employment for itself but also becomes a key driver for industrial growth and enhances the overall investment climate in Uttar Pradesh.
