The Apprenticeship Solution to India’s Women Workforce Gap
Key Highlights:
Women account for 48% of India’s population but contribute only 18% to GDP, with FLFPR at 31.7%, far below global benchmarks
Closing the gender participation gap could unlock a 27% GDP uplift, yet only 1 in 3 female graduates is currently industry-ready, despite 12–15 million entering the workforce annually
Apprenticeships are a proven bridge, with 98% transitioning to formal employment and 40% retained by the same employer, while female participation under NAPS has risen to ~18–20%
Progress remains uneven, as 38% of organizations still report no women apprentices, and only 2% have crossed 50% female representation
