Revolutionising Karnataka’s Human Capital through Degree Apprenticeship Programs

In 2021, India achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming an economic anomaly by exporting more software than Saudi Arabia did oil, with Karnataka at the forefront of this success. This achievement traced back to the 1980s when the state prioritized nurturing technology skills, thereby attracting numerous software employers.

Today, we propose a second revolution in Karnataka’s human capital ecosystem through the adoption of degree apprenticeship programs. Degree apprenticeships represent a transformative approach in workforce development by fostering collaboration among employers, universities, and students. This tripartite contract can revitalize the skill system by embracing the following principles:

Learning While Earning

The current financing model for skills training encounters market failure – employers are reluctant to fund training but are willing to pay premiums for trained candidates. Most of the Indian youth cannot afford employability training out-of-pocket, making the income support provided by earning while learning essential for increasing enrolment.

Degree apprenticeship programs address this issue by offering stipends to students. The high return on investment, driven by increased productivity, lower attrition, and faster time-to-hire, incentivizes employers to consider scholarship payments.

Learning by Doing

Our predominantly supply-driven skill system focuses more on curriculum rather than industry demand. Degree apprenticeship programs ensure students acquire relevant skills through guaranteed on-the-job training. As employers curate the curriculum for practical and theoretical learning, students gain hands-on experience in industry-specific skills, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world application.

Learning with Flexible Delivery

To achieve India’s goal of a 50% Gross Enrollment Ratio in higher education, all four learning environments – on-the-job, online, on-campus, and onsite – must be treated equally. Institutions offering degree apprenticeship programs can deliver employability and inclusiveness by creatively combining these environments based on the needs, abilities and resources of various employers and students.

Learning with Qualification Modularity

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to dismantle the barriers between vocational and degree education. By embodying this principle, degree apprenticeship programs provide multiple on- and off-ramps, facilitating continuous learning and qualification upgrades. This modularity supports lifelong learning and adaptability in a rapidly evolving job market.

Learning with Signaling Value

Traditionally, institutions have created signaling value by enforcing stringent entry or exit points. However, India’s higher education system requires a different balance. Degree apprenticeship programs, being innovative in financing, signaling value and delivery, offer greater capacity and flexibility compared to many traditional campus degrees. They provide a robust alternative, enhancing the employability of graduates.

While economists suggested that the country should focus on the larger export market of physical merchandise, Karnataka took the lead in technology skill development, making India a global leader in software.

However, apprentices in the state constitute only 0.2% of the worker population. By embracing degree apprenticeship programs, which are conceptually one-third ITI, one-third employment exchange and one-third college, Karnataka can spearhead a second revolution in human capital, outpacing other states.

This article was originally published in Deccan Herald.