#workforcedevelopment

A new White House initiative will tackle the challenges technology poses to the workforce.

The assembly line, energy plant and retail store have changed dramatically in the past 25 years—and the jobs have, too. Nearly 1 in 5 working Americans has a job that didn’t exist in 1980, many in technology, the fastest-growing segment across all industries. Such rapid change is one reason 6.6 million U.S. jobs are currently unfilled.

Many of these jobs require skills training, but not a college degree. Yet for too long, both the public and the private sectors have failed to develop innovative and effective training programs. With a new initiative we are launching Thursday, that will change.

With more companies expanding, hiring and raising wages, it is time to deliver better workforce training so that all Americans have the chance to move into better jobs and earn bigger paychecks. Already this administration has taken action to expand apprenticeships, increase access to STEM education for K-12 students, and help 11 million students and workers by working with Congress to pass an improved Perkins Career and Technical Education bill. On Thursday the president will sign an executive order to prioritize and expand workforce development so that we can create and fill American jobs with American workers.

First, this action establishes the National Council for the American Worker, composed of senior administration officials, who will develop a national strategy for training and retraining workers for high-demand industries. For decades the government has had more than 40 workforce-training programs in more than a dozen agencies, and too many have produced meager results. The new council will help make the government more efficient, innovative and, most importantly, focused on results.

Another critical task of the council will be to facilitate the use of data to connect American businesses, workers and educational institutions. All participants in the job market should know what jobs are available, where they are, what skills are required to fill them, and where the best training is available.

We will also launch a nationwide campaign to highlight the growing vocational crisis and promote careers in the skilled trades, technology and manufacturing.

Second, this executive order forms an advisory board comprising leaders from the private sector, educational institutions, philanthropic organizations and state governments. They will work with the administration to implement results-driven job-training programs in classrooms and workplaces across the country.

Finally, the administration is asking companies and trade groups throughout the country to sign our new Pledge to America’s Workers—a commitment to invest in the current and future workforce.

On Thursday, more than 15 companies and associations will sign the pledge to educate, train and reskill American students and workers. They commit to expanding apprenticeships, increasing on-the-job training, and providing Americans from high school to near-retirement with opportunities to obtain skills to secure stable jobs and careers in the modern economy.

We call upon employers large and small to join this crucial initiative to create more jobs, strengthen our economy and restore hopeful futures to countless families.

Our goal is to ensure that every American can move from an entry-level job into a lifelong career. Our hope is that millions of men and women who have been on the sidelines will now have the chance to find fulfilling work that lifts up them and their families. Our vision is to create a workforce culture that fosters and prioritizes life-long learning.

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, one challenge continues to dominate boardroom discussions across industries: finding skilled, job-ready talent.

While companies are expanding, technologies are evolving, and workforce expectations are shifting, traditional hiring models alone are often struggling to keep pace. Employers are increasingly facing challenges such as skill gaps, high attrition, rising recruitment costs, and delayed workforce productivity.

This is where apprenticeships are emerging as one of India’s smartest and most sustainable talent strategies.

Why Apprenticeships Matter More Than Ever

India has one of the world’s youngest populations, yet employability remains a major concern. Many graduates and job seekers possess academic knowledge but lack practical industry exposure.

For employers, this creates a gap between hiring and productivity.

Apprenticeship programs help bridge this divide by allowing organizations to build talent pipelines proactively instead of competing for limited skilled talent reactively.

Rather than hiring only experienced candidates at increasing costs, companies can develop future-ready professionals by training apprentices in real-time business environments.

The result?

Better workforce readiness

Reduced hiring and onboarding costs

Improved retention and loyalty

Increased productivity through structured learning

A future talent pipeline aligned with business needs

Across industries such as manufacturing, retail, hospitality, healthcare, construction, IT, logistics, and engineering, apprenticeship models are transforming workforce development.

Apprenticeships: A Win-Win for Employers and Youth

For young professionals, apprenticeships provide something that traditional education often cannot: hands-on industry experience.

Instead of entering the workforce with only theoretical knowledge, apprentices gain practical exposure, technical skills, workplace discipline, and industry understanding.

For employers, this means access to talent that is already trained in their operational environment, company culture, and job expectations.

In an economy where agility matters, apprenticeship programs offer businesses the flexibility to build a workforce that is skilled, scalable, and future-ready.

The Role of Government Initiatives: NAPS & NATS

India’s apprenticeship ecosystem has significantly strengthened through government-led initiatives such as the:

National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)

National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS)

These initiatives aim to improve youth employability, encourage industry participation, and promote structured skill development across sectors.

By enabling organizations to train apprentices while benefiting from a streamlined framework, these programs are helping bridge the long-standing gap between education and employability.

Meraqui’s Commitment to Building India’s Workforce

At Meraqui, we believe apprenticeships are not just a compliance initiative—they are a strategic workforce investment.

As a registered facilitator of the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, we are dedicated to advancing youth employability and skill development through structured apprenticeship programs.

With a proven track record across multiple sectors in India—including manufacturing, construction, hospitality, retail, IT, healthcare, and more—we specialise in identifying, training, and deploying high-calibre apprentices aligned with industry needs.

Our approach goes beyond recruitment. We work closely with organizations to help them:

✔ Build stronger talent pipelines

✔ Reduce workforce gaps

✔ Develop industry-ready professionals

✔ Improve workforce productivity

✔ Support long-term organizational growth

In a world where talent shortages continue to challenge business growth, apprenticeship-led workforce development is no longer optional—it is becoming essential.

The Future of Talent is Built, Not Bought

The future of hiring in India is changing.

Organizations that continue relying only on traditional recruitment may struggle with workforce shortages, rising costs, and skill mismatches.

The organizations that will lead tomorrow are those investing in developing talent today.

Apprenticeships are no longer just a compliance initiative—they are a strategic business advantage.

For India’s youth, they unlock employability. For employers, they create workforce stability. And for the nation, they contribute toward building a more skilled, productive, and employment-ready economy.

At Meraqui, we are proud to be part of this transformation—helping businesses build stronger teams while empowering the next generation of skilled professionals through structured apprenticeship solutions under government-backed initiatives.

Whether your organization is exploring apprenticeship implementation, workforce expansion, or long-term talent development strategies, our team is here to support your journey toward building a future-ready workforce.

📩 Connect with us: [email protected] 🌐 Visit us: www.meraqui.com

Every successful project begins with the right talent.

Imagine sitting across from an interviewer knowing that one mistake from years ago may be the only thing they see.

The résumé is ready.

The clothes are pressed.

The answers have been practiced.

But the question remains:

“Will someone give me a chance?”

For many returning citizens, the hardest part of reentry isn’t finding the desire to work.

It’s finding someone willing to say yes.

At Hijrah House, we believe employment is one of the strongest tools against recidivism.

That’s why we help individuals prepare for interviews, connect with employers, strengthen résumés, build confidence, and access training opportunities that can lead to meaningful employment.

Sometimes the difference between success and failure is not talent.

It’s support.

It’s having someone review a résumé.

It’s practicing interview questions.

It’s having a clean shirt for an interview.

It’s hearing someone say:

“You can do this.”

Every person who secures employment gains more than a paycheck.

They gain stability.

They gain dignity.

They gain the ability to provide for themselves and their families.

And our communities become stronger because of it.

When one person finds work, everyone benefits.

Families benefit.

Neighborhoods benefit.

Communities benefit.

Learn more about our Job Placement, Interview Support, and Job Training efforts and help us create more success stories.

Because sometimes a second chance begins with three simple words:

“You’re hired.”

There's a version of you working in a hospital in Germany. Building skyscrapers in Dubai. Managing logistics in the UK.

That version isn't a fantasy — it's a decision away.

Every year, thousands of skilled professionals from India cross borders, build careers, and send hope back home. They didn't have special connections. They had the right guidance.

That's what Ajeets does.

We're an overseas staffing agency based in India, connecting hardworking candidates with global employers across Construction, Oil & Gas, Healthcare, Hospitality & Logistics — in Gulf, Europe & beyond.

If you're ready, we're ready.