Earn while you learn: Telangana to roll out German-style apprenticeship in junior colleges
In a move to shift from degree-centric education to skill and practice-centric learning, the Intermediate Education department proposed to launch the German-style dual apprenticeship system.
Hyderabad: The intermediate students, particularly studying in the government junior colleges (GJCs), may soon earn while they learn necessary skills through hands-on experience in the industry.
In a move to shift from degree-centric education to skill and practice-centric learning, the Intermediate Education department proposed to launch the German-style dual apprenticeship system. The new initiative mandates students to spend three to four days a week in the relevant industry learning skills and attending college only one or two days a week.
The key feature of the apprenticeship model is that students can acquire skills while studying and also earn at the same time. This system has been followed in Germany and typically runs for two to three-and-a-half years.
Colleges, as per this initiative, have to sign agreements with companies for offering apprenticeship with stipend to their students. The department has already submitted a proposal to the State government.
Apart from credit-based skill development, the department has proposed to make the curricula industry-integrated. In addition, there is a proposal to link the government junior colleges with ITIs, polytechnic colleges, and universities. However, this might be limited to vocational students only.
Further, the department plans to establish large-scale lab infrastructure, including skill labs, smart classrooms, career cells, innovation labs, maker labs, and fab labs, in government junior colleges. Centres of Excellence have also been planned in all 33 districts at an estimated cost of Rs. 103 crore.
Initially, skill labs will be established in 200 GJCs and students will be trained in soft skills. Later, the initiative will be expanded to the remaining 230 GJCs.
