UGC launches NATS portal on nats.education.gov.in; urges all HEIs to register

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has launched the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS 2.0) portal, nats.education.gov.in to expand access to apprenticeship opportunities. The NATS 2.0 – which spans a duration of six months to one year – offers graduates, diploma students, and vocational certificate holders, practical ‘on-job training’ (OJT) based skilling opportunities.

The NATS programme was initiated under the Government of India’s national flagship programme in order to skill the youth in multiple disciplines.

The NATS 2.0 portal will help candidates find a suitable employer for an apprenticeship opportunity and will also serve comprehensive solutions for candidates for all apprenticeship-related activities such as registering and applying, job vacancy advertisement, contract creation, certification, and stipend disbursement.

Stipends for apprenticeships will be applicable as per rules and will be disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) via the portal.

The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 which emphasises integrating vocational education with general education to facilitate vertical and horizontal mobility for students, an official statement read.

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About NAT 2.0

The NATS 2.0 portal will also benefit Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) by connecting their students with employers and enhancing their employability through relevant skills and practical experience.

The HEIs will be able to streamline apprenticeship management, reduce administrative tasks, and boost the institution's reputation through active industry engagement.

“The NATS portal will also provide valuable data insights on placements and industry trends and offer recognized certification for completed apprenticeships, bridging the skills gap and ensuring students are job-ready,” read the official statement.