Apprentices Act

An overview of Apprenticeship Training Scheme (ATS)

Apprentices Act was enacted in 1961 for training trade apprentices. It was amended in 1973 to
include Engineering Graduates and diploma holders. In 1986, it was further amended to cover
Vocational courses.
The Apprenticeship Rules was amended in 1992. At present, it encompasses 243 trades in 35 trade
groups in respect of Trade Apprentices.

Need for Apprentice Act

• Development of human resource is crucial for the industrial development of any nation.
Upgradation of skills is an important component of Human Resource Department (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 confirm to the
prescribed syllabi, period of training, etc... as laid down by the Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC)
• To utilize fully the facilities available in Industry for imparting practical training with a view to meet
the requirements of skilled manpower for industry.

Monitoring of the implementation of the Act.

• DGET (Directorate General of Employment & Training) is responsible for implementation of the Act
in respect of Trade Apprentices in the Central Government undertakings and Departments. This is
down through six Regional Directorate of Apprenticeship Training located at Chennai, Hyderabad,
Mumbai, Kanpur, Faridabad and Kolkata.
• 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 Act in respect
of Graduate, Technician and Technician (Vocational) Apprentices. This is done through four Boards
of Apprenticeship Training located at Chennai, Mumbai, Kanpur and Kolkata.

Central Apprenticeship council (CAC)

• It is an apex statutory body. It advises the Government on laying down policies and prescribing
norms and standards in respect of Apprenticeship Training Scheme (ATS)
• It is a tripartite by constitution with members from Government both Central and State /UT’s,
Employers and Trade Unions.
• Union Labour Minister is the Chairman and Minister of state for education in the union ministry of
HRD is the Vice Chairman.

Stipend
• Trade apprentices are paid stipend at following rates for
1st year Rs. 2100/- p.m
2nd year, Rs. 2400/- p.m
3rd year Rs. 2800/- p.m
4th year Rs. 3100/- p.m.
• The expenditure on stipend for trade apprentices is borne by the employers.
• The rates of stipend for
(a) Graduate Engineer, Rs. 3560/- p.m.,
(b) Graduate Engineer, (SW) Rs. 2530/- p.m.,
(c) Technician Diploma holder Rs. 2530/- p.m.,
(d) Technician Diploma (Sandwich course) Rs. 2070/- p.m
(e) Technician (Vocational) apprentices is shared equality between the employer and the Central
Government.
• Rates of stipend are revised every two years based on Consumer Price Index.
Training of trade apprentices
• 243 trades in 35 trade groups and informal sector have been designated
• Qualification vary from Class VIII pass to XII class pass (10+2) system and in few cases B.Sc.
• Minimum age is 14 years.
• Period of training varies from 6 months to 4 years.
• Apprenticeship training is linked with craftsmen training scheme conducted in Industrial Training
Institutes (ITIs / ITCs). Rebate in period of Apprenticeship Training is allowed to pass outs from ITIs in
relevant trades.
• Training comprises of basic training practical training and related instructions as per prescribed
syllabus for each trade.
• Basic training & related instructions are conducted in basic training centres (BTCs) set up within
the establishment for fresher's.
• Seats for trade apprentices are located by the Apprenticeship Advisor on the basis of prescribed
ratio of Apprentices to Workers and availability of training facilities.
• Engagement of trade apprentices is done twice in a year (March and September).
• Every apprentice and employer has to enter into a contract of apprenticeship training, which is
registered by apprenticeship advisors.
• Employers and apprentices have to fulfil their obligations under the Act.

Trade testing and certification of trade apprentices

• All India Trade Test for apprentices are conducted twice in a year i.e. April / May and October /
November.
• The recruitment session for apprentices is March and September every year. However the
establishments are allowed to recruit trade apprentices upto 15th of April and 15th of October every
year. Accordingly the apprentices completing apprenticeship training as on 15th of October and 15th
of April will be eligible for examination.
• Successful candidates are eligible for National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC).
• Best Apprentices are awarded Merit Certificates for the winner and runner up.
• Best establishment is given Award (Merit Certificates).

Skill competition of trade apprentices

• With a view of fostering healthy competition among apprentices as well as establishments, skill
competition is organised at local, regional and all India levels. Regional skill competition and all India
skill competition are conducted in the following trades.
1 Fitter
2 Turner
3 Machinist
4 Welder (Gas & Electric)
5 Electrician
6 Mechanic Motor Vehicle
7 Instrument Mechanic
8 Electronic Mechanic
9 Draughtsman (Mechanical)
10 Wireman
11 Mechanic Diesel
12 Tool & Die Maker (Dies & Moulds)
13 Tool & Die Maker (Press Tools, Jigs & Fixtures)
14 Refrigeration & Air-conditioning Mechanic
15 Millwright maintenance mechanic renamed as Mechanic Machine Tool Maintenance

General
• This Regional Directorate of Apprenticeship Training (RDAT), Chennai is responsible for
implementing the apprentices Act 1961 in respect of Trade Apprentices in the Central sector
Establishments / Departments / Offices situated in the states of Tamilnadu, Kerala, Pondicherry and
Union Territory of Lakshadweep.
• It is also engaged in monitoring of implementation of apprentices act in respect of trade
apprentices in state public sector / Departments and private sector establishments coming under
the purview of the state apprenticeship advisors of the above states.

Survey / Re-survey of establishments

• This directorate conducts survey of Central Establishments to assess the training facility and issues
notification under the apprentices act on the quota of trade apprentices to be trained in different
trades in these establishments.
• It also conducts re-survey of Central Establishments, already covered under Apprentices Act, at
regular intervals to assess the training facility and issue revised quota notification.

Monitoring of implementation
• This directorate monitors implementation of apprentices act in the notified establishments by
obtaining monthly and other periodical returns and undertakes corrective measures.

Registration of contract
• The contract entered into by the apprentices and the employers are scrutinized and registered by
this directorate, as contained under the apprentices Act 1961.

Progressive trade test (PTT)

• The officers of this directorate conducted PTT for the apprentices engaged by the establishments
at regular intervals to ensure the quality of training imparted to the apprentices.

Inspection of central sector establishments

• The officers of this directorate conducts inspection of notified central sector establishment at
regular intervals and ensure that the apprenticeship Training Programme is being carried out by the
establishments as prescribed in the Act.

All India Trade Test for Apprentices

• The All India Trade Tests for Apprentices under the aegis of NCVT are conducted during April / May
and October / November every year. This Directorate scrutinizes the eligibility and permits the
apprentices to appear in these tests.
• It allows the failed candidates to appear as supplementary for these trade tests. Further, it also
permits candidates to appear for the All India Trade Test as a private candidate.
• It assesses and indents question papers from DGE&T (HQ) and distributes to the Trade Testing
Centre's.
• It approves the list of Chairman / Local Board of Examination and examiners for the Trade Testing
Center's.
• It scrutinizes the results received from various centres and declares result.
• It issues National Apprenticeship Certificates (NAC) to the successful apprentices.
• It reimburses honorarium to the Chairman / Local Board of Examination, Examiners and
invigilators.
• It reimburses the Raw material charges to the various Trade Testing Centre's.
• It issues Duplicate Certificates and also authenticates Certificates as and when such references are
received.
• It select Apprentices for Regional Skill Competition.

Data Bank
• This Directorate maintains a data bank of candidates who would like to undergo trade
apprenticeship training and sponsors the list to Establishments on their request.

Inspection of establisments Coming under state apprenticeship advisors

• The power of central apprenticeship advisor to inspect the state sector / private sector
establishment coming under the state apprenticeship advisors are delegated to the directorate for
the state in that region. The officers of this directorate inspect these establishments at regular
intervals under apprentices Act. 1961

Regional Apprenticeship Advisory Committee (RAAC)

• This directorate convenes the RAAC in the Region for review and monitoring of apprenticeship
training scheme in this region.

Identifying the private establishments not covered under the Act.

• As a proactive measure, it identifies the private sector establishments not covered under the
Apprentices Act and brings it to the notice of the concerned state Apprenticeship Advisors for taking
necessary action to bring them under the Apprentices Act 1961. The directorate is engaged in
identifying the establishments where the informal sector trades could be introduced and brings to
the notice of SAA to bring them under the Act.