Introduction

The “West Bengal Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme” (WB-APS) aims to enhance the Apprenticeship Training, by providing financial support to apprentices and promoting skill development and employment of the youth of West Bengal. The State Government aims to encourage more youths to participate in apprenticeship programs, gain practical skills and become employed and proposing to provide financial assistance for the same in the form of additional stipend. The Apprentices are engaged as per the provision of the Apprenticeship Act with minimum stipend of Rs. 5000/-, depending upon their Qualification, paid by the Industry/Establishments as per provision of the Act. The State Govt. is proposing to provide additional stipend over the stipend provided by the Industry to the eligible apprentice trainees of West Bengal (students passing outs from ITIs and Polytechnics and from amongst those registered under Yuvashree Scheme and any fresh candidates who is eligible to be employed as an apprentice with schooling of at least five years from the affiliated institutions within West Bengal) to the tune of Rs. 1500/- and Rs. 2500/- per month per trainee for apprentices engaged within and outside the State of West Bengal respectively through DBT. ADM (Skill), Officers of the Directorate of Employment service and Principal Govt. ITIs designated as Additional/Joint/Deputy/Assistant/ Sub Assistant Apprenticeship Advisor, will extend necessary support for industry/MSME/Establishment registration in the apprenticeship scheme portal.