UGC’s AEDP to equip grads for job market

UGC’s AEDP to equip grads for job market 

AEDP will offer experiential learning, and industry interaction to help students learn the market demands

Divyansh.Kumar@timesofindia.com 

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released draft guidelines, for the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP), aligned with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to better prepare students for the future job market by combining academic learning with hands-on industry experience. The UGC guidelines will provide an option for Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to embed Apprenticeship/internship in any UG degree programmes specified by UGC. 

This will focus on outcome-based learning in a degree programme and will enable students to demonstrate workforce professional abilities for potential employment. These draft guidelines, which are open for public consultation, are expected to be implemented by the January-February 2025 academic session. The AEDP is designed to provide students with an opportunity to combine classroom learning with on-the job training (OJT), ultimately making them more competitive in the job market.

What is AEDP

The AEDP allows students to spend a portion of their degree programme working directly with industry professionals, gaining practical knowledge that complements their classroom learning. “Apprenticeships can bridge the gap between what is taught in the classroom and what is required in the workplace,” says Prof M Jagadesh Kumar, chairperson, UGC. The AEDP guidelines provide HEIs with flexibility in scheduling apprenticeships, allowing them to be introduced from the second semester onward. Up to 50% of the total degree duration can be dedicated to apprenticeships, with a minimum requirement of one full semester of hands-on  experience. One of the key aspects of the AEDP is its integration with National Credit Framework (NCrF). 

Under this system, 30 hours of training are equivalent to one credit. For instance, a year-long apprenticeship would amount to 40 credits, while a six-month apprenticeship corresponds to 20 credits. “The actual hours spent in apprenticeship training are considered for calculating credits. If the HEIs adhere to the credit mechanisms in the AEDP Guidelines, we may not foresee challenges affecting implementation of these Guidelines,” says Prof Kumar. The guidelines also address the stipend payment process for apprentices. Depending on whether the AEDP is offered through the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) portal or directly via industry partnerships, students will receive stipends. 

In the case of direct industry agreements, the industry is responsible for paying the stipend, adhering to the Apprentices Act of 1961 and the Apprenticeship Rules of 1992. When offered through NATS, the government provides partial stipend support. Regardless of the mode HEIs choose, it is essential to have transparency and clarity in the stipend payment process, adds Prof Kumar. Monitoring and evaluation The UGC draft guidelines place a strong emphasis on tracking the progress of students postapprenticeship. The outcomes of the AEDP will be monitored over time to assess the employability of graduates and the effectiveness of the programme in preparing them for the workforce. Metrics such as job placement rates, the industries graduates enter, and their career progression will be key indicators of success. Prof Dwarika Prasad Uniyal, vice chancellor (i/c), RV University, Bangalore, says that they are gearing up to incorporate AEDP in technology, management, and design courses. “We hope to roll out this programme by the academic year 2025 in phases.”