As India advances towards its Vision 2047 ambition of becoming a $30 trillion economy, one structural constraint continues to limit its growth potential: low women’s workforce participation. Despite accounting for nearly half of India’s population, women contribute only about 18% to the country’s GDP. This gap is not merely a social concern—it represents a significant economic inefficiency. Unlocking women’s participation in the formal labour market is now widely recognised as both a growth imperative and a national priority.
TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN), and India Employer Forums collaborative report, Her Path, Her Power – Revolutionizing Women’s Careers Through Apprenticeship, argues that apprenticeships can play a pivotal role in closing this gap. By offering structured, paid, and industry-aligned pathways into employment, apprenticeships provide a scalable solution to one of India’s most persistent labour market challenges.
Apprenticeships as a Bridge Between Education and Employment
While access to education for women has expanded steadily over the past two decades, education alone has not translated into proportional employment outcomes. A large number of educated women remain outside the labour force due to skill mismatches, limited work experience, and a lack of exposure to formal workplaces. This disconnect between education and employment remains one of the biggest barriers to women’s economic participation.
Apprenticeships directly address this challenge. By integrating classroom learning with on-the-job training, they enable women to acquire practical skills that are immediately relevant to industry needs. The “learn-while-you-earn” model not only reduces financial constraints but also builds workplace confidence, professional networks, and real-world experience—factors that are often decisive in securing long-term employment. For first-time entrants and women returning to work after career breaks, apprenticeships offer a credible and structured entry point into the formal economy.
Rising Participation, Persistent Gender Gaps
The report highlights a positive trend: women’s participation in apprenticeship programmes has increased significantly in recent years. This growth reflects greater awareness, improved policy support, and rising employer acceptance of apprenticeships as a talent development tool. It also signals that women increasingly view apprenticeships as a viable alternative to traditional entry-level employment pathways.
However, the data also reveals persistent gaps. A large proportion of employers continue to report very low or no female representation in their apprenticeship cohorts. Only a small minority has achieved gender-balanced participation. These patterns indicate that progress, while encouraging, remains uneven. Structural barriers such as occupational segregation, gendered perceptions of certain roles, workplace safety concerns, and lack of flexible work arrangements continue to limit women’s access to apprenticeship opportunities.
Sectoral Expansion and Regional Momentum
One of the most encouraging insights from Her Path, Her Power is the growing sectoral diversity of women’s apprenticeships. Participation is no longer confined to traditionally female-dominated sectors such as healthcare or retail. Women are increasingly enrolling in apprenticeships across IT and BPM, BFSI, electronics, logistics, automotive, tourism, and manufacturing-linked services.
This shift is critical for improving both the quality and sustainability of women’s employment. Entry into higher-productivity and future-facing sectors enhances earning potential and long-term career mobility. The report also identifies specific urban centres that have emerged as apprenticeship hubs, demonstrating stronger ecosystems, better employer engagement, and higher female participation rates. These regional success stories offer replicable models for other states and cities.
Economic Impact and the Case for Action
The economic case for increasing women’s workforce participation is compelling. Closing the gender participation gap could add trillions of dollars to India’s GDP over the coming decades, while improving productivity, household incomes, and labour market resilience. Apprenticeships, by accelerating women’s entry into formal employment, can act as a powerful multiplier in this process.
However, realising this potential requires coordinated action. Policy frameworks must incentivise gender-inclusive apprenticeship design. Employers need support to redesign roles, provide mentorship, ensure safe and inclusive workplaces, and offer flexible or hybrid work options where possible. Skilling institutions must integrate gender-responsive curricula and career guidance to ensure apprenticeships translate into sustained employment outcomes.
Apprenticeships as a Catalyst for Inclusive Growth
In conclusion, Her Path, Her Power positions apprenticeships as more than a skilling intervention—they are a strategic lever for inclusive economic growth. By bridging the gap between education and employment, apprenticeships can embed women more firmly within India’s formal workforce and unlock a vast reservoir of underutilised talent.
As India builds towards a Viksit Bharat, empowering women through apprenticeships is not just about equity; it is about competitiveness, resilience, and long-term prosperity. Investing in women’s pathways to work is, ultimately, an investment in India’s economic future.
