If you are a fresh graduate seeking your first job, has an apprenticeship crossed your mind? Many young graduates are under the impression that apprenticeships are for factories and technical trades. But that is not the case.
An apprenticeship could give you an opportunity in several sectors, including banking, IT, retail, logistics or even healthcare. In 2025, two government-backed programmes, the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) and the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), had around 17 lakh apprentices engaged under them. The government has confirmed that along with manufacturing, several service industries are covered under these programmes.
Apprenticeships are a great way to acquire practical training in a workplace and get paid for it too. They can help fresh graduates understand an industry and improve their chances of finding regular employment.
Of course, an apprenticeship does not guarantee a permanent job. The eligibility criteria, duration and stipend vary according to the industry and the work. And candidates must always study the terms carefully before applying.
However, for those struggling to find their first job, the official NATS portal at https://nats.education.gov.in/ and the NAPS portal at https://apprenticeshipindia.gov.in/ could be good starting points to look for apprenticeship opportunities. You can search beyond your degree subject and the industries you were thinking of initially.
You may not begin your career with a conventional job. But who knows? You could begin it in an industry you had never even considered.