Four winners selected to advance upgrading informal apprenticeships through digital transformation

Congratulations to the four winning organizations!

The ILO, in partnership with UNICEF/YuWaah, with the support of the Government of Flanders, selected four winners for the Skills Innovation Challenge Call in India. They will kick start the implementation of proposed projects to establish a replicable and scalable solution for upgradation of informal apprenticeships through digital transformation. (Organizations are listed irrespective of order.)

1. Pratham Education Foundation

The project “Hybrid Skilling – Enabling Employment Opportunities for Women” aims to train 400 women across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana for employment in non-traditional fields such as Electrical (Solar), Multifunctional Office Assistant (MOA), Automotive 2W (with EV), and Graphic Design. The hybrid skilling model addresses key barriers faced in mainstreaming apprenticeship and developing sustained progression pathways, through providing comprehensive and continuous support from mobilization of apprentices, training of apprentices, placement support for apprentices, to post-placement tracking for apprentices, using digital resources and data driven approach.

2. Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute of Management and Research

The project “Blended Apprenticeships for Adolescents for the Future of Work in MSMEs and IT sector” will target 10th to 12th grade students in Pune to be ready for the future of work in MSMEs and IT sector, while promoting gender equality in these sectors. This project is divided into four phases (i) study on current apprenticeships opportunities and skills among prospective candidates, (ii) development of training model comprising of blended mode of delivery, (iii) pilot testing of the model to enhance apprenticeships, and (iv) collaboration with stakeholders, such as industry associations, local/ regional trade unions and MSME for sustaining the process.

3. Foundation for MSME Clusters

The project "Decentralized Apprenticeship for Rural Women” will aim to increase employment (as against employability) by decentralizing apprenticeship for women in rural areas, focusing on those from artisanal backgrounds to help connect their craft to the global supply chains. This model will lead to generating home-based work for women so they can participate in economic activity while balancing their primary care responsibilities at home. It is proposed to create 100 women apprentices in rural setting of Raigarh District of Chhattisgarh, by guaranteeing job work contract by a local micro unit – Kosala Livelihood and Social Foundation (KLSF) – to all the successful apprentices.

4. Grey Sims Learning Foundation

The project “Unique Integrated Platform for Structured Technical Skilling & Guidance to Youth” will develop an app that technically skills and guides youth at every stage of their apprenticeship journey, and helps them move beyond menial informal employment to skilled, formal employment in electronics, telecom, and renewable energy sectors. The project will particularly enhance female participation in these sectors, by proactively reaching out also to enterprises, including SMEs. The project will also facilitate Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), job matching using AI, promotion of occupational safety and health (OSH) and counselling of various stakeholders, including ITI/VET staff members, employers, parents, and youth, among others.