With skilling emerging as a national priority, India’s apprenticeship ecosystem is experiencing an unprecedented rise, positioning itself as a key driver of workforce development. The latest Apprenticeship Outlook Report by TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship has revealed a record-high Net Apprenticeship Outlook (NAO) of 76% for Q1 2024-25, marking an 8% increase from the previous quarter. This surge highlights a shift in employer sentiment, as businesses increasingly view apprenticeships as a strategic tool for talent acquisition, cost-efficient hiring, and industry sustainability.
Sunrise Sectors Leading the Apprenticeship Revolution
Emerging industries are at the forefront of this apprenticeship boom. The Drone industry leads with an unprecedented 86% NAO, followed by EV & Mobility (75%) and Global Capability Centres (79%). These sectors are redefining workforce strategies, prioritising skill development, and fostering innovation-driven training models.
India’s Emerging Apprenticeship Hubs
Key cities, including Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune, and Nagpur, are becoming apprenticeship hotspots. Notably, Nagpur’s NAO surged from 76% to 91%, reflecting growing employer confidence. Similarly, Indore saw a sharp rise from 64% to 81%, underscoring the impact of industry expansion and infrastructure development on apprenticeship adoption.
The Role of Third-Party Aggregators (TPAs)
Employers are increasingly relying on Third-Party Aggregators (TPAs) to streamline apprenticeship management. The report shows a significant rise in TPA adoption, with 57% of employers now leveraging these partnerships for efficient workforce skilling.
Apprenticeships as a Pathway to Employment
A remarkable 75% of apprentices are transitioning into full-time roles post-training, demonstrating the effectiveness of structured skilling programmes. Employers prioritise learning agility (79%) and on-the-job training (66%) to retain skilled talent.
Sumit Kumar, Chief Strategy Officer at TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, stated, “India’s focus on structured skilling, industry collaboration, and apprenticeship expansion is creating a future-ready workforce, strengthening the nation’s global competitiveness.”
With businesses embracing apprenticeships as a core talent strategy, India is poised to build a robust and skilled workforce, ready to meet the evolving demands of a dynamic economy.
