OVERVIEW
BACKGROUND
Development of human resource is crucial for the industrial development of any nation. Upgradation of skills is an important component of HRD. Training imparted in Institutions alone is not sufficient for acquisition of skills and needs to be supplemented by training in the actual work place.
OBJECTIVES
Apprentices Act, 1961 was enacted with the following objectives :-
To regulate the programme of training of apprentices in the industry so as to conform to the syllabi, period of training etc. as laid down by the Central Apprenticeship Council; and
To utilise fully
the facilities available in industry
for imparting practical training with a
view to meeting the requirements of skilled manpower for
industry.
EVOLUTION
OF APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING SCHEME
National Apprenticeship Scheme started in 1959 on Voluntary Basis.
Apprentices Act enacted in 1961 and implemented
w.e.f. 1.3.1962
Initially the Act envisaged training of Trade Apprentices.
The Act was amended in 1973 to include training of Graduate and Diploma Engineers as "Graduate" & "Technician" Apprentices.
The Act was further amended in 1986 to bring within its purview the training of
the 10+2 vocational stream as "Technician (Vocational)" Apprentices.
MONITORING OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACT
Overall responsibility is with the Directorate General of Employment & Training (DGE&T) in the Union Ministry of Labour
DGE&T is also responsible for implementation of the Act in respect of Trade Apprentices in the Central Govt. Undertakings & Departments. This is done through six Regional Directorates of Apprenticeship Training located at Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur & Faridabad.
State Apprenticeship Advisers are responsible for implementation of the Act in respect of Trade Apprentices in State Government Undertakings/ Departments and Private Establishments.
Department of Education in the
Ministry of HRD is responsible for implementation of the Act in respect
of Graduate, Technician & Technician (Vocational) Apprentices. This is done
through four Boards of Apprenticeship Training located at
Kanpur, Kolkata ,
Mumbai & Chennai.
CENTRAL APPRENTICESHIP COUNCIL
It is an apex statutory body. It advises the Government on laying down policies and prescribing norms & standards in respect of Apprenticeship Training Scheme(ATS).
It is tripartite by constitution with members from Govt. both Central and State/UTs, Employers & Trade Unions.
Union Labour Minister is the Chairman and Minister of State for Education in the Union Ministry of HRD is the Vice Chairman.
COVERAGE
It is obligatory on the part of employers both in Public and Private Sector establishments having requisites training infrastructure as laid down in the Act, to engage apprentices.
254 groups of industries covered under the Act.
About 17,800 establishments engage apprentices.
STIPEND
Trade apprentices are paid stipend at following rates : Rs. 820 p.m for 1st year, Rs. 940 for 2nd year, Rs. 1090 for 3rd and 1230 p.m for 4th year.
The expenditure on stipend for trade apprentices is borne by the employers.
The rates of stipend for Graduate, Technician & Technician (Vocational) apprentices are Rs. 1970 p.m , Rs. 1400 p.m. and Rs. 1090 p.m. respectively.
Expenditure on Stipend for the categories of Graduate, Technician & Technician (Vocational) apprentices is shared equally between the employer and the Central Government.
Rates of stipend are revised every two years based on Consumer Price Index.
TRAINING OF TRADE APPRENTICES
140 trades in 31 trade groups have been designated.
Qualifications vary from Class VIII pass to XII class pass (10+2) system.
Minimum age is 14 years.
Period of training varies from 6 months to 4 years.
Apprenticeship Training is linked with Craftsmen Training conducted in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) for 92 trades. Rebate in period of Apprenticeship Training is allowed to pass-outs from ITIs in relevant trades.
Training comprises Basic Training, Shop Floor Training and Related Instructions as per prescribed syllabus for each trade.
Basic Training & Related Instructions are conducted in Basic Training Centres (BTCs) or Related Instruction Centres (RICs) set up within the establishments or in a BTC or RIC set up by the Govt.
Seats for trade apprentices are located by the Apprenticeship Adviser on the basis of prescribed ratio of Apprentices to Workers and availability of training facilities.
Engagement of trade apprentices is done twice a year (Feb./March and August/ Sept.)
Every apprentice and employer have to enter into a contract of apprenticeship training which is registered by the Apprenticeship Advisers.
Employers and apprentices have to fulfil their obligations under the Act.
TESTING AND CERTIFICATION OF TRADE APPRENTICES
All India Trade Test (AITT) for trade apprentices are conducted by National Council
of Vocational Training (NCVT) twice a year ( Oct./Nov. and April/May).
National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) are awarded to those who pass the AITT.
NAC recognised for employment under Govt./Semi-Govt. departments/ organisations.
SKILL COMPETITION OF TRADE APPRENTICES
With a view to fostering healthy competition among apprentices as well as establishments, skill competition is organised at local, regional & All India levels.
Skill competition is held for 11 trades namely Fitter, Machinist, Turner, Welder, Electrician, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Tool & Die Maker, Instrument Mechanic, Draughtsman (Mechanical), Millwright Mechanic Maintenance and Electronics Mechanic.
TRAINING OF GRADUATE, TECHNICIAN AND TECHNICIAN (VOCATIONAL APPRENTICES)
101 subject fields have been designated for the category of Graduate & Technician apprentices.
94 subjects fields have been designated for the category of Technician (Vocational) apprentices.
Period of post qualification training for these categories is one year.
Seats are located based on managerial/supervisory posts and training facilities.
Training programme is prepared in joint consultation between Apprenticeship Adviser Establishment concerned.
Certificates are awarded on completion of training by the Deptt. of Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development.