Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey lauded the massive work done by energy major Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) in engaging record number of Apprentices under National Apprentice Promotion Scheme (NAPS). Dr Pandey was speaking in a National Seminar on ‘Promotion & Expansion of Apprenticeship in CPSE’s’, at the NDMC Convention Center New Delhi on 5 December 2019.

Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey (left) and Raj Kumar Singh speaking on the occasion

Dr Pandey complimented ONGC CMD Mr Shashi Shanker and Director (HR) Dr Alka Mittal for giving personal attention to one of vital schemes of the government and spearheading ONGC to take the lead among Central Public Sector companies.

Among the 40,000 Apprentices engaged by the 111 Public Sector companies during the last phase of ‘National Apprentice Promotion Scheme’ (NAPS Phase II), ONGC alone engaged more than 4,000 apprentices – which was 10% of total engagement of apprentices by all the Central Public Sectors put together. This feat was achieved under the leadership of Director (HR) Dr Alka Mittal, who was earlier heading the Skill Development Department of ONGC.

The seminar was also attended by Minister of State, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Mr Raj Kumar Singh, Secretary-MSDE Mr K P Krishnan, Secretary-DPE Mr Sailesh, DG-SCOPE Mr Atul Sobti, senior officials of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Senior CPSE and Private Sector officials.

ONGC was invited by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship for a presentation during the event, for setting a high standard with regard to Apprenticeship Training in context of ONGC experience in achieving the significant milestone.

Somesh Ranjan speaking on ONGC experience in achieving the feat

ED- Chief SDC’s ONGC Mr Somesh Ranjan spoke on the various milestones in the journey of ONGC and the continuous guidance and support received from CMD and Director (HR) in achieving the feat. The presentation on ONGC experience was made by CGM (HR) Mr Shiladitya Bhattacharjee.

The presentation highlighted the introduction of in-house online portal for engagement of apprentices, efforts of ONGC Trainers, success stories of number of apprentices getting employment, CE (Mech.) Mr Rituraj Sahu of ONGC Sivasagar receiving ‘Kaushalacharya’ award and in making the scheme gender inclusive by engaging a number of lady apprentices, even in technical disciplines. The presentation was well-received by the audience and appreciated by the Minister in his speech.

Shiladitya Bhattacharjee highlighting the efforts of ONGC in a presentation

While lauding the efforts of ONGC, Minister MSDE Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey urged the other Central Public Sector companies to learn from the “ONGC Model” and significantly increase their participation in the Government’s Apprenticeship Program, so that the dream of PM Narendra Modi in making India the “Skill Capital” of the world is realized. He also encouraged ONGC to continue to take the lead in engagement of apprentices in the subsequent Phases of NAPS as a forerunner.