The NATS Program is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education, implemented through Regional Boards. This program provides skill training for Graduates, Diploma holders in Engineering & Technology pass-outs under The Apprentices Act, 1961.
The main aim is to make the engineering and non-engineering graduates, and engineering diploma holders employable by giving on-the-job training. From December 17, 2021, the scope of the NATS Program has been extended to include General Streams graduates, such as B.A., B.Sc., and B.Com. This aligns with the objectives of NEP 2020 to mainstream vocational education. NEP 2020 emphasizes the integration of general and vocational education to ensure vertical and horizontal mobility for students.
In support of this vision, draft guidelines have been issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and AICTE for Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programs (AEDP), which will further strengthen the link between education and employability.
| Category | Period of Training |
|---|---|
| Graduate Apprentices | 1 year |
| Technician Apprentices (Diploma in Engineering/Technology) | 1 year |
| Employee Strength | Eligibility for Apprenticeship | Apprentice Band | Apprenticeship Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | Not Eligible | Not Eligible | Not Eligible |
| 4-29 | Optional | 2.5% - 15% of Employee Strength | 6-36 months |
| >30 | Mandatory | 2.5% - 15% of Employee Strength | 6-36 months |
As part of the NATS Program, our role as a Third-Party Aggregator (TPA) involves promoting the program, assisting candidates, and facilitating communication with governing bodies.