Industry and Academia Anticipate Details of Government Internship Programme for Students in 500 Companies

Industry and Academia Anticipate Details of Government Internship Programme for Students in 500 Companies

Roorkee, July 29, 2024 – Industry leaders and academic experts are eagerly awaiting detailed information about the newly announced internship programme for students, as outlined in the recent Union Budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The programme, which aims to place students in 500 companies, has been hailed as a mutually beneficial initiative for both industries and academia.

Speaking at the convocation ceremony of IIT Roorkee, National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) president Debjani Ghosh and B.V.R. Mohan Reddy, Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT Roorkee and IIT Hyderabad, emphasized the potential of the programme to enhance skill development and job readiness among students.

Debjani Ghosh's Perspective: Ms. Ghosh highlighted the Budget's focus on sustainable development and the creation of jobs, skills, and employment opportunities. She noted that while specific details of the internship programme are yet to be released, the initiative aligns with the needs of both companies and students. "Internships provide a crucial pathway for students to gain practical experience, reducing the training period needed for freshers to start contributing to businesses," she said. Ghosh added that the programme's structure, which includes significant government support with companies contributing 10% of the cost through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds, makes it an attractive proposition for all parties involved.

B.V.R. Mohan Reddy's Insights: Mr. Reddy pointed out that while the concept of internships and apprenticeships is not new—NASSCOM has previously driven similar initiatives in the IT and IT-enabled services sectors—clarity is needed regarding whether the programme will primarily focus on internships or apprenticeships. "The government's target of placing one crore interns over five years across 500 companies implies an average of 4,000 interns per company annually. This scale presents logistical challenges and may require expanding the number of participating companies," Reddy remarked. He also noted that the programme offers industries a valuable opportunity to assess potential employees over a 12-month period before making hiring decisions.

Looking Forward: Both Ghosh and Reddy expressed optimism about the programme's potential to up-skill students and better prepare them for the workforce. They agreed that once the programme's details are clarified, it will provide a framework for industry and academia to collaborate effectively, fostering a well-equipped and job-ready workforce.

As stakeholders await further information, the anticipation underscores the growing recognition of the critical role that internships and practical training play in bridging the gap between academic learning and industry requirements. The programme is expected to significantly impact India's efforts to enhance its human capital and economic growth.