The Board of Practical Training (Eastern Region), Kolkata (BOPTER) has issued a model Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaboration with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to implement Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDP) under the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) of the Ministry of Education. The framework seeks to integrate apprenticeship training as a mandatory component of undergraduate degree programmes, with a duration ranging from one to three semesters for three-year courses and two to four semesters for four-year courses, in accordance with UGC's AEDP Guidelines, 2025.
Under the MoU, BOPTER will facilitate registration of HEIs, students, and establishments on the NATS 2.0 Portal, support industry linkages, arrange apprenticeship opportunities, issue Certificates of Proficiency, and provide Government stipend support for apprenticeship periods undertaken during the final year of eligible programmes. The Board will also monitor implementation, facilitate tripartite apprenticeship agreements, conduct awareness programmes, and establish grievance redressal mechanisms to ensure compliance with the Apprentices Act, 1961 and Apprenticeship Rules, 1992.
The collaborating HEIs are required to identify AEDP courses, ensure student enrolment on the NATS portal, execute tripartite apprenticeship agreements, establish industry partnerships, designate a Single Point of Contact (SPOC), track graduate outcomes, and promote apprenticeship opportunities among students. The MoU remains valid for an initial period of four years, subject to annual review, and may be amended to align with future UGC guidelines, statutory requirements, and directions issued by the Ministry of Education.
