In a proactive move to bridge the rising skill gap in Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Board of Practical Training – Eastern Region (BOPT-ER) has issued a notice on April 21, 2025, inviting all establishments registered under the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) to participate in a newly proposed AI Apprenticeship Program.
🚀 Why This Matters:
The initiative stems from India’s National Strategy for AI laid out by NITI Aayog in 2018, which envisioned equitable and responsible AI adoption. As per NASSCOM, demand for AI professionals in India is expected to double from 650,000 in 2022 to over 1.25 million by 2027, with the AI market projected to grow at 25–35% annually.
🎯 Purpose of the AI Apprenticeship Program:
- Address the urgent need for AI upskilling across sectors.
- Provide structured on-the-job training opportunities in AI technologies.
- Help students gain hands-on industry experience and develop relevant technical skills.
📢 Call to Action for NATS-Registered Establishments:
- Interested establishments are requested to review the attached AI Apprenticeship Implementation Form.
- Submit their inputs and confirmations by April 29, 2025 to participate in the program’s rollout.
This program aligns with the Ministry of Education’s broader mission under NATS to create a future-ready workforce capable of meeting the evolving demands of India’s digital economy.
