SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has constituted a Union Territory Apprenticeship Council and a UT-level Implementation Review Committee to oversee and strengthen the implementation of the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) across the Union Territory.
The two bodies were established through Government Order No. 1591-JK(GAD) of 2026, issued by the General Administration Department on September 29.
The Union Territory Apprenticeship Council (UTAC) will function as the apex advisory and coordination mechanism for apprenticeship training in J&K. It will be chaired by the Minister in charge of the Skill Development Department, with the Administrative Secretary of the department serving as vice-chairperson and the UT Apprenticeship Advisor-cum-Director as Member Secretary.
The council includes administrative secretaries from key departments, including Power Development, Tourism, Agriculture Production, Finance, Public Works (R&B), Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, Cooperatives, Higher Education, School Education, Industries and Commerce, Labour and Employment, and Transport.
Representatives of universities, the Directorate General of Training under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Assistant Apprenticeship Advisors and the National Skill Development Corporation will also be part of the council.
The council has been tasked with expanding apprenticeship opportunities, increasing industry and MSME participation and aligning training with the skill requirements of sectors with employment potential in J&K.
It will also promote On-the-Job Training and the Dual System of Training through ITIs, polytechnics and other eligible institutions, besides facilitating workplace exposure and practical training.
The council will review apprenticeship targets, establishment-wise engagement, sector and trade-wise opportunities, completion rates and the transition of apprentices into employment. It will also examine issues concerning registration, contracts, stipends, assessment, certification and employer participation.
The order provides for a UT-level Annual Apprenticeship Action Plan with measurable targets broken down by district, sector, trade and establishment category.
A separate Union Territory Level Implementation Review Committee (UTIRC) has also been constituted to coordinate and monitor NAPS implementation.
The committee will be chaired by the Administrative Secretary of the Skill Development Department and will include the Chairman of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, the Mission Director of the J&K Skill Development Mission and senior officials from power, tourism, health, education, employment, transport and other departments.
It also brings major public sector and industry stakeholders into the monitoring framework, including power corporations, J&K Tourism Development Corporation, J&K Cable Car Corporation, NHM, Mission Yuva, municipal corporations, industrial bodies, Railways, NHAI, NHIDCL, NBCC, oil companies, BSNL, telecom operators, J&K Bank and airports.
Representatives of universities, ITIs, polytechnics, industry associations, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Federation of Industries, JK, are also included.
The UTIRC will review Union Territory-wide targets, work plans, budgets and key performance indicators, besides examining reports from District Skill Committees and monitoring district-wise apprenticeship engagement.
It will also coordinate among government departments, the Regional Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, apprenticeship advisers, NSDC, industries and other stakeholders, with particular attention to MSMEs, priority sectors and emerging industries.
The committee has further been tasked with identifying implementation challenges, recommending corrective measures and reporting progress, achievements and challenges to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
