NEW DELHI: In a first-of-its kind apprenticeship programme for non-technical graduates, up to 5 lakh students from across universities/colleges will join various industries and service sectors from July 2019.According to officials of the human resource development ministry, over 9.25 lakh students from 1,533 non-technical universities/colleges have applied for the minimum six-month internship , called Scheme for Higher Education Youth for Apprenticeship and Skills ( Shreyas ), by the end of the registration deadline of March 25.Apart from the assured Rs 6,000 per month stipend, the students will also get Rs 1,500 reimbursement by the government of India, making it the biggest skilling programme in the country.The Shreyas programme has been conceived for students enrolled in non-technical degree courses, with the objective of introducing employable skills into their learning, promote apprenticeship as integral to education, and also amalgamate employment facilitating efforts of the government into the education system.Shreyas, an initiative of three central ministries — namely the HRD ministry, ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship and the ministry of labour and employment — was launched in February 2019. According to R Subrahmanyam, MHRD’s higher education secretary, “The students are from across 1,533 universities and institutions. Majority are from the southern states and Maharashtra .”The Sector Skill Councils match the demand with the opportunities available and come up with opportunities for registered candidates in the month of May and place the students across sectors for their apprenticeships.“A minimum of 3 lakh students are going to get their apprenticeships from July 2019 and it could well go up to 5 lakh in the first year. The Skill Sector Councils will continue to connect with the industry and tap more opportunities next year,” added Subrahmanyam.Shreyas is expected to forge a close functional link between education and industry/service sectors on a sustainable basis, provide skills which are in demand, establish an “earn while you learn” system into higher education and help business/industry in securing good quality manpower. The secretary added that based on the performance of the students, they stand to gain employment as well.