- The programme will combine undergraduate education with workplace training across sectors including retail, IT, logistics and hospitality
The Himachal Pradesh government is set to introduce apprenticeship embedded degree programmes in 16 government colleges from the 2026-27 academic year, integrating classroom education with practical workplace training to improve student employability.
The initiative, backed by the state Higher Education Department and Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT), will offer industry oriented undergraduate programmes that allow students to gain work experience alongside their academic studies.
Degrees With Work Experience The apprenticeship linked programmes will focus on sectors including retail, information technology (IT), logistics, hospitality and accounting. The model is designed to give students practical exposure while they pursue their degrees, helping bridge the gap between academic learning and workplace requirements.
Under the initiative, participating students will receive hands-on training as part of their academic journey. The programme is intended to strengthen job readiness by allowing learners to develop workplace skills alongside subject knowledge.
The move is aligned with the broader approach of integrating vocational and practical learning into higher education. By combining classroom-based education with apprenticeship opportunities, the state aims to provide students with greater exposure to industry practices before they complete their undergraduate programmes.
Focus On Employability The apprenticeship embedded degree model is being introduced as part of efforts to make higher education more responsive to employment requirements. It will provide students with opportunities to gain experience in sectors where employers require practical and job specific skills.
The initiative also reflects the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s emphasis on connecting education with vocational training and real world learning. The state government and HLFPPT will work together to support the implementation of the programmes across the selected government colleges.
The initiative is expected to give students access to structured workplace exposure while retaining the academic component of a conventional degree. For participating colleges, the model could also strengthen links with industry and create a more employment oriented approach to undergraduate education.
