Female Apprenticeship Enrolment Soars by 20X, Propelling Diversity Forward

TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship unveils data showcasing a significant increase in female apprenticeships across Manufacturing & Services sectors. This milestone marks a shift towards gender inclusivity.

Our data sources reveal that over the past 5 years there has been a 20X increase in the enrolment of women apprentices within these sectors. This trend signifies a transformative journey towards empowering women & fostering gender diversity in the workforce.

In addition to reflecting the growing momentum towards gender equality, the growth in female apprenticeship enrolment also signifies a paradigm shift in the roles women are undertaking. From traditional male-dominated manufacturing shop floor roles to Future of Work involving AI, ML, & Data sciences, women apprentices are being deployed to help productivity and foster a positive work culture.

The vision of the GoI in making Nari Shakti an equal and integral part of India’s development journey is evident in the NEP 2020 and National Skill Development Policy. Apprenticeships and other work-based learning programs have emerged as critical pathways for women’s empowerment, aligning with these visionary policies.

To further enhance participation & support women in their apprenticeship journeys, initiatives like increased seats exclusively for females, more female trainers, flexible training schedules, digital platforms for connecting skilled women with employers, and community outreach programs are being implemented.

According to the data:

• TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship has witnessed a 5X increase in demand for female apprentices in the Manufacturing sector, in the past 8-10 months.
• Within the Services sector, women apprenticeship participation has surged by 33% Y-O-Y in the last two years, especially among GCC, BFSI, and Retail and logistics industries. It is expected that in the next three years, there’ll be a 70% year over year increase, indicating a growing recognition of the importance of gender diversity in fostering innovation and creativity.

AR Ramesh, CEO of TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, emphasises the importance of enhancing female involvement in apprenticeships. He states that although women currently make up 21% of apprentices, there is ample opportunity for growth. Higher degree-embedded apprenticeship programs like Degree Apprenticeships can facilitate increased participation of women, particularly those from rural and socio-economic backgrounds. Organisations need to establish a talent pipeline for women through entry-level recruitment coupled with educational opportunities to address diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) objectives. “With the recent PLFS Report indicating that women participation reached an all-time high of 37% in 2022-23, the active participation of women in non-farm labour could boost India’s economy by 9-10% annually”, added Ramesh.

Sumit Kumar, Chief Strategy Officer at TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, notes a notable 5X surge in demand for female apprentices in the past 8-10 months, projecting that women’s representation among apprentices will reach 40% by year-end. This surge reflects the industry’s commitment to fostering inclusive work environments, driven by initiatives across emerging sectors like EV, Electronics, and Technology Products, as well as traditional sectors such as Auto, Auto Components, and Engineering. While gender-specific budget allocations are absent from many schemes, existing training programs include unique initiatives and incentives aimed at encouraging women’s participation in the skill ecosystem. Additionally, the budget for women’s training through the National Skill Training Institutes has substantially increased from approximately 64 crores in 2022–2023 to around 68 crores in 2023-24, indicating significant growth in skill development. “Notably about 70% of women under apprenticeships in manufacturing are from rural and semi-urban areas. The Government of India’s Skill India Mission, including the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship’s Vocational Training Program for women, plays a pivotal role in facilitating this transition”, says Sumit.

Dhriti Prasanna Mahanta, Vice President and Business Head of TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, highlights the employment landscape for women in recent decades, with IT and Retail being significant employers, employing nearly 36% and 35% of female workers, respectively. Industries such as GCC, BFSI, and Retail & Logistics have witnessed a 33% year-on-year surge in women apprenticeship hiring and are expected to experience a 70% year-on-year increase in the next three years. Dhriti also added that, “Sectors like Tourism & Hospitality, Logistics, and Telecom are projected to face substantial skill gaps in the next three years – 24 million, 10 million and 5.3 million, respectively. Formalisation and skill development through higher education embedded work-based programs will be crucial in bridging this gap and meeting productivity expectations, considering the current unsustainable gender participation ratio.”

About TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship

TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship is India’s first and largest Degree Apprenticeship programme offered through a public-private partnership with the TeamLease Skills University (TLSU), Ministry of Education, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, CII and NSDC. The company has hired about 700,000 apprentices with 1000+ employers. About 98% of these apprentices have transitioned into formal employment, and almost 40% have been employed in the same organisation. Through its Degree Apprenticeship Program, TeamLease focuses on enhancing the employability quotient of the youth of our country and bridging the skill deficit. TeamLease Skills University (TLSU) is India’s first vocational skills university and India’s first NAAC certified University that offers employment-oriented multi-level programs.