AEDPs to provide industry exposure and new career opportunities to students: Education Minister

SHIMLA 10 September, 2026

· Higher Education department signs MoU with BOAT-NR for apprenticeship embedded degree programmes

The Higher Education department today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Board of Apprenticeship Training (Northern Region), Kanpur (BOAT-NR) for implementation of Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDPs) in 16 government degree colleges of the state from the academic session 2026-27.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Education Minister Rohit Thakur between North Zone Director, BOAT-NR, Vivek Kumar on behalf of BOAT-NR and Principals of 16 colleges.

Speaking on the occasion, Rohit Thakur said that this initiative aims to bridge the gap between classroom education and industry requirements by providing students with practical workplace experience along-with a recognised undergraduate degree. He said that the state government was laying special emphasis on skill-based education and strengthening employment opportunities for the youth.

He said that under the AEDPs, students would pursue industry-oriented degree programmes in banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), logistics and retail operations management. The programmes combine academic learning with a mandatory apprenticeship component of at least six months in an industry, with students being provided a minimum guaranteed stipend of Rs. 10,900 per month. The programme will provide students an opportunity to gain practical workplace experience alongside their academic studies and develop skills relevant to industry requirements.

The Minister said that five AEDP courses have been approved for implementation, while the first phase has commenced with three programmes including B. Commerce, banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI); B.Com. retail operations management and B.Com. logistics in 16 government degree colleges. B.Com. BFSI is being offered in 11 colleges, B.Com. retail operations management in two colleges and B.Com. logistics in three colleges.

He said that the MoU with BOAT-NR would further strengthen industry linkages and facilitate apprenticeship opportunities for students. It would particularly benefit students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds by providing them with workplace exposure, industry-relevant skills and better employment prospects.

In the first year of implementation, 16 Government Degree Colleges have commenced AEDPs with 685 students enrolled across the three programmes and more would be enrolled in the coming years. The initiative is being supported through collaboration among colleges, universities, BOAT-NR and CRISP for industry linkages, apprenticeship opportunities, training and placement support.