University Grants Commission (UGC) has launched the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS 2.0) portal - nats.education.gov.in to enhance access to apprenticeship opportunities. The scheme provides practical 'on-job training' (OJT) based skill opportunities to graduates, diploma students and vocational certificate holders for a period ranging from six months to one year.The NATS 2.0 portal will help candidates find suitable employers for apprenticeship opportunities. It will also provide candidates a comprehensive solution for all apprenticeship related activities; such as registration and application, job advertisement, contract creation, certification and stipend disbursement.The stipend for apprenticeship will be as applicable as per rules and will be disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) through the portal. 

The initiative is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises on integrating vocational education with general education to facilitate vertical and horizontal mobility for students, an official statement said.