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The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has launched a National Internship Portal that is proving to be a model for the Centre's ambitious new internship scheme. This scheme, announced during the budget in July, is expected to be rolled out in October and aims to provide internship opportunities to one crore young people across the top 500 companies in India. The idea for this scheme was inspired by the AICTE's existing internship portal, which was launched in June 2020 amidst the pandemic with the goal of bridging the gap between industry and academia.
The AICTE's portal is a unique platform that connects students seeking internships with companies offering such opportunities. It currently boasts over 75,000 companies listed on the platform, providing a wide range of internship opportunities across various disciplines. This portal has been instrumental in addressing a crucial issue in Indian higher education: the mismatch between theoretical curriculum and the practical experience required in the industry. The lack of access to adequate internship opportunities has often hindered students' career progression, particularly for those from smaller cities and less prominent educational institutions. The AICTE's initiative has been crucial in addressing this problem.
The new internship scheme, spearheaded by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, is modeled after the AICTE's successful portal. The ministry has even sought guidance from AICTE officials, conducting knowledge-sharing sessions to understand the portal's dynamics. The scheme aims to provide a stipend of Rs 5,000 per month for a period of five years to the participating youth. While the AICTE's portal already offers a substantial number of internship opportunities, with over 50 lakh currently available, the scheme aims to take this number to 1 crore by 2025.
The success of the AICTE's internship portal is evident in its reach and the positive impact it has had on students. The portal has over 4.7 crore students registered, with 1.98 crore verified. This demonstrates the widespread need for such a platform and its ability to connect students with real-world work experiences. The portal has also managed to attract a diverse range of companies, including government undertakings and private firms. Notable government departments participating in the scheme include the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, among others. On the private sector side, companies like Microsoft, OPPO, CISCO, and Google have registered on the platform.
The portal's impact goes beyond just providing internships; it is also contributing to the development of a skilled workforce. The AICTE ensures that each internship offered through the portal is outcome-based, with students receiving actual tasks that add value to their experience. This has led to a significant number of internship opportunities converting into job offers. The AICTE's data suggests that at least 10% of the internships offered on their platform result in full-time employment. The portal has helped bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical experience, leading to improved employability for students.
One of the main challenges the AICTE faced during the portal's initial stages was gaining the trust of industries. Companies were hesitant to participate due to concerns about the reliability of student credentials, while students were wary of fraudulent opportunities. The AICTE has effectively addressed these concerns by implementing a robust verification system. Students need institute permission for any internship and must receive approval on the internship letter. This ensures that both companies and students are confident in the legitimacy of the platform. The next challenge the AICTE aims to tackle is getting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) on board. While large companies have already embraced the internship culture, MSMEs are still hesitant to adopt it. The AICTE recognizes that MSMEs play a crucial role in expanding the internship network, and they are actively working to change their mindset and encourage their participation.
The AICTE's National Internship Portal is a testament to the Council's commitment to bridging the gap between academia and industry. It has been instrumental in creating a platform that provides valuable work experience for students and helps them develop the skills needed to succeed in the modern workforce. The new internship scheme, inspired by the AICTE's portal, holds the potential to further enhance the employability of young people across India, strengthening the country's economic future.
Source: With 50 Lakh Offers on Roll, Here's How AICTE Portal Inspired Centre's New Internship Scheme