Table of Contents

1. Important Definitions & Abbreviations 3

1.1 Using this resource 5
2. Background of Apprenticeship 6
3. National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) 7
4. Operational Framework for Apprenticeship Program (including NAPS) 8
5. Establishments under the Apprenticeship Programme 11
5.1 Payment of stipend to apprentices 12
5.2 Contract with Apprentices 12
5.3 Legal status of an Apprentice 12
5.4 Qualification Packs/courses to develop work place competencies under the Apprenticeship Program 13
5.5 Training Partners & Basic Training Providers (including training centers) under the Apprenticeship Program 13
5.6 Assessment & Certification 13
5.7 Records to be maintained by the employer under the Apprentices Act 14
5.8 Establishment opting for Reimbursement under NAPS 14
5.8.1 Reimbursement of stipend /Basic training fee (under NAPS) 14
6 Apprentices under the Apprenticeship Programme 15
7 Training Partners & Basic Training Provider (BTP) under the Apprenticeship Programme 18
8 Third Party Aggregator (TPA) under the Apprenticeship Programme 20
8.1 Eligibility of TPA 20
8.2 Selection of TPA 20
8.3 Role of TPAs 21
8.4 Responsibilities of Employers (in case a TPA is onboard) 21
9 Apprenticeship Courses & Modes of Delivery under the Apprenticeship Programme 22
9.1 Integrating Short-Term Trainings (STT) with Apprenticeship Programme 22
9.2 Trades under Apprenticeship Programme 23
10 Reimbursement process under NAPS 26
11 New Apprenticeship Portal 27
List of Figures
Figure 1: Operational Framework for Apprenticeship Program (including NAPS) for 9
establishments falling under the Central Govt
Figure 2: Suggested Operational Framework for Apprenticeship Program (including NAPS) for 9
establishments falling under the State Govts
Figure 3: The minimum stipend to be paid to apprentices 12
Figure 4: Pathways for Assessments & Certifications 13
Figure 5: Additional conditions for establishment to claim reimbursements under NAPS 14
Figure 6: Type of apprentices and the concerned authorities under Designated 15
Trade of the apprenticeship programme
Figure 7: Type of apprentices and the concerned authorities under Optional Trade of the apprenticeship programme 16
Figure 8: Lifecycle for an Optional Trade selected by an Establishment 17
Figure 9: BTPs under Designated Trade 18
Figure 10: BTPs under Optional Trade 19
Figure 11: Role of TPAs 21
Figure 12: Apprenticeship life cycle on the portal 28

List of Tables
Table 1: The role of different agencies under the operational framework for Apprenticeship in India 10
Table 2: Establishment Eligibility and Norms for Apprenticeship 11
Table 3: The appropriate authority for establishments under the new operation framework 11
Table 4: Educational qualification/basic training requirements under Apprenticeship 16
programme for different categories of candidates
Table 5: Details for courses under Designated rades 23
Table 6: Details for courses under Optional Trades 24
Table 7: Steps for online Reimbursement under NAPS 26
Table 8: Functionalities of the apprenticeship portal 27
1. Important Definitions &
Abbreviations
“Apprenticeship Training” means a
course of training in any industry or
establishment undergone in pursuance
of a contract of apprenticeship.
“Employer” means any person who
employs one or more other persons to
do any work in an establishment for
remuneration and includes any person
entrusted with the supervision and
control of employees in such
establishment
"Establishment" includes any place
where any industry is carried on; 5[and
where an establishment consists of
different departments or have
branches, whether situated in the
same place or at different places, all
such departments or branches
shall be treated as part of the
establishments];staff strength
Apprentice. (Private Establishments
which have offices or branchesin 4 or
more states & all Central Public Sector
Undertakings fall under the purview of
the Central govt; all others under the
purview of the respective Sate govts
from where it operates/has branches.)
“Designated Trade (DT)” means any
trade or occupation or any subject field
in engineering or non-engineering] or
technology or any vocational course
which the Central Government, after
consultation with the Central
Apprenticeship Council, may, by
notification in the Official Gazette,
specify as a Designated Trade.
“Optional Trade (OT)” means any
trade or occupation not included in
notified list of or any subject field in
engineering or non-engineering or
technology or any vocational course as
may be determined by the employer
lead to a competency work force(i.e.
any trade or occupation not included in
notified list of Designated Trades, in
the field of manufacturing, services or
trade, chosen by the employerunder
the apprenticeship programme to
develop a set of workplace
competencies in the Apprentice)
"Portal Site" refers to a website of the
Central Government for exchange of
information on apprenticeship
“National Apprenticeship Promotion
Scheme (NAPS)” is a scheme
launched by the Government of India,
on 19thAugust 2016, to promote the
apprenticeship programme in India
“Reimbursement” in this document
means partial reimbursement support
against the cost of basic training and
stipend to apprentices.
“The Ministry of Skill Development
and Entrepreneurship (MSDE)” is a
Ministry of Government of India that
coordinates all skill development
efforts across the country.
“Apprenticeship Advisors” means
the Central Apprenticeship Advisor
and State Apprenticeship Advisors
(SAA) appointed under Section 26 (1)
& (2) of The Apprentices Act, 1961
“Additional/ Joint/ Assistant
Apprenticeship Advisors (Addl. AA/
JAA/ AAA)” means persons
appointed as such under section 27 of
the Apprentices Act, 1961
“The National Skill Development
Corporation (NSDC)” is an Indian
not-for-profit company set up to
address the need for providing skilled
manpower across various industry
sectors, acting as catalysts for the
implementation of apprenticeship
training
“The Directorate General of
Training (DGT)” is the apex
organization for development and
coordination at National level for the
programmes relating to vocational
training
“Regional Directorates of
Apprenticeship Training (RDATs)”
are the implementing Agencies/arms
of the DGT for administering the
apprenticeship programme for all
Industries coming under the purview of
the Central govt including Central
PublicSector Undertakings and private
establishmentsoperating in 4 or more
States (refer Fig 1)
“State Skill Development Mission
(SSDM)” is the nodal agency for Skill
Development in a State
“Sector Skill Council (SSC)” is an
employer-led organization that covers
a specific industry-there are
39 such SSCs as on date, the
list is on NSDC website at
https://www.nsdcindia.org/sector-skill-
councils-1
“Industry Chambers” means a
registered body/association
representing Industry
“Basic Training Provider (BTP)” is
an entity who has adequate/necessary
03
facilities to provide basic trainingto
apprentices engaged by an
establishment as a fresher apprentice.
“Third Party Agency (TPA)” is an
entity that assists the employer to
arrange the basic training through
Basic Training Providers for
apprentices, to upload contracts of
apprentices on apprenticeship portal,
to conduct assessment, to submit
reimbursement claims (under NAPS),
and comply with formalities required.
“Board of Apprenticeship Training
(BOAT)” is an autonomous body
under the Department of Education
(Ministry of Human Resource
Development) to monitor the
implementation of apprenticeship
training in respect of graduate
apprentices and technician
apprentices (Designated trades)
“National Council for Vocational
Training (NCVT)” is an advisory body
under the Ministry of Skill
Development and Entrepreneurship
(MSDE) entrusted with the
responsibilities of prescribing
standards and curricula for craftsmen
training, advising the Government of
India on the overall policy and
programmes, conducting All India
Trade Tests for craftsmen and trade
apprentices (Designated Trades) and
awarding National Trade Certificates
to craftsmen and National
Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) to
trade apprentices
Technical Definitions
“Job Role” The National Occupational
Standards (NOS) specify the standard
of performance an individual must
achieve when carrying out a function in
the workplace, together with the
knowledge and understanding they
need to meet a standard consistently.
Each NOS defines one key function in
a job role. The NOS are laid down by
employers (through their SSCs). A
Qualification Pack (QP) is a set of NOS
aligned to a job role.
“Qualification Pack (QP)” a
Qualification Pack (QP) is a set of NOS
aligned to a job role. A QP is available
for every job role in each industry
sector. These drive both the creation of
curriculum and assessments.
“National Skill Qualification
Framework (NSQF)” The National
Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF)
was notified in the Gazette of India on
27 December 2013. The NSQF
organizes qualifications according to
a series of level descriptors covering
knowledge, skills and aptitude. The
NSQF replaces existing frameworks
such as the National Vocational
Qualifications Framework (NVQF)
and the National Vocational
Educational Qualification Framework
(NVEQF). Each level of NSQF is
described by a statement of learning
outcomes in five domains, which are
known as level descriptors. These
five domains are:
a. Process
b. Professional knowledge
c. Professional skill
d. Core skill
e. Responsibility
“NSQF Aligned Courses” NSQF
requires that SSCs when developing
Qualifications Packs and NOS identify
a corresponding NSQF level using the
NSQF level descriptors and that this
information be included in NSQF level
field in the Qualification Pack. It is
possible for all current vocational
courses, like MES, ITI Courses, or
similar vocational courses in schools,
colleges and polytechnics, to be
aligned to job roles at specific NSQF
Levels. An ITI Course in Plumbing
would say they are training for
plumbers at NSQF Level 3. Similarly, a
polytechnic, training in fashion design,
may say it is training for NSQF Level 5
for Garment Cutters.
National Skills Qualifications
Committee organized by NSDA
provides the process of aligning
courses and qualifications to NSQF.
Abbreviations Used
“NSQC” National Skills Qualifications
Committee.
“PMKK” Pradhan Mantri Kaushal
Kendra
“AAA” Assistant Apprenticeship
Advisor
“ITI” Industrial Training Institutes
“MSME” Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprise
“PMKVY” Pradhan Mantri Kaushal
Vikas Yojna
“DDUGKY” Deen Dayal Upadhaya
Grameen Kaushalya Yojana
“SMART” Skill Management and
Accreditation of Training Centers
“SDMS” Skill Development
Management System
04
1.1 Using this resource
This resource is designed to
support an establishment,
the students, the implementing
organizations and the training
providers as they are a
key stakeholder in the implementation
of Apprenticeship.
The documentis based on the
provisions of The Apprentices
Act, 1961, Apprenticeship Rules,
1992 and the NAPS guidelines
issued by the Ministry for Skill
Development and Entrepreneurship.
The resource offers brief guidance
and several modes/ tools that will
help an establishment/ student /
training partner to understand:
• What is apprenticeship and its
importance
• Its relationship with sector specific
skills and employability
• It provides a landscape and the
options available for engaging with
apprenticeship;
• The viability of different pathways or
modes of delivery under
apprenticeship and NAPS;
• The roles and responsibilities of the
e m p l o y e r, t r a i n e e a n d t h e
training provider in training,
assessment and delivery;
• What are the prerequisites;
• The potential requirements for the
governance of apprenticeship to
enable a standard delivery
Further details and guidelines based
on this framework will be worked on
and collated in the coming 3 months
and progressively there after
depending on future requirement.
Variants of this frame work for Degree
Apprenticeship would be launched
seprately
05
2. Background of
Apprenticeship
Globally, apprenticeship has been serious non-availability of skilled apprenticeship more industry friendly.
recognized as one of the most efficient workforce. India is also among the Some of key reforms include:
ways to develop skilled manpower by fastest growing economies of the world • Removal of prescriptive, quota-
utilizing the infrastructure and training today. These factors necessitate based apprenticeship norms and the
facilities available in the skilling Indian youth in consonance introduction of a flexible need-based
establishments. This is because, with the requirements of domestic band of 2.5% to 10% of total manpower
apprenticeship training not only economy as well as international • Introduction of Optional Trades
provides an optimum balance between standards with increased focus on under the apprenticeship programme,
theory [classroom training]and hands- quality apprenticeships both at the which shall be designed by industry.
on experience; it updates the lower and the higher level. This has This will train the youth to become
apprentice's skills and knowledge of brought back to the fore the industry ready with workplace relevant
various workplace related codes, significance of Apprenticeships in competencies and meet its
safety rules and regulations, India. requirements for a skilled workforce.
procedures, proper use of tools, Keeping this in mind the Government • Bringing the service industry under
troubleshooting, team work and of India has brought about the apprenticeship umbrella
communication skills. comprehensive reforms in the
• Besides ITIs, linking short term
The apprenticeship programme in Apprenticeship Act in 2014 & the
trainings to the apprenticeship
Indiaformally started with the Apprenticeship Rules in 2015 to make
programme
promulgation of the Apprentices Act
1961. However, even after more than 5
decades since then, we still have a
long way to go in adopting
apprenticeship as an effective method
for skilling as compared to other
developed countries. Till now, the
annual apprenticeship engagement
has been about 4 lakhs per annum.
Hence an effective apprenticeship
programme is very significant for India
as a tool for development of quality
manpower for the industry and as an
effective means for enabling livelihood
for the youth.Today India is the
youngest nation in the world and by
2030, 1 in every 5 youth in the world
would be Indian. Around 65%
population of India is below 35
providing India an opportunity to
supply workforce to the ageing
societies which are experiencing

06
3. National Apprenticeship
Promotion Scheme (NAPS)
The Government of India had also
launched the National Apprenticeship
Promotion Scheme (NAPS) in August
2016, to promote the apprenticeship
programme in India by introducing a
package of financial incentive to
establishments engaging in
apprenticeship. This package is
specially intended tosupport and
promote apprenticeship in the MSME
segment for enhancing its productivity
and competitiveness as well capacity
building.
The financial benefit has two
components:
I. R e i m b u r s e m e n t o f 2 5 % o f
prescribed stipend, subject to a
maximum of INR 1,500 per month per
apprentice
ii. Reimbursement for cost of
basic training, up to INR 7,500 per
apprentice for a maximum period of 3
months/500 hours.
07
4. OperationalFramework for
Apprenticeship Program (including NAPS)
While the apprenticeship programme
itself is essentially a relationship
between the establishment and the
apprentice, at the same time, a well-
defined legalframework in which the
programme will get implemented
ensures transparency, efficiency and
quality that will make apprenticeship "a
pathway of choice, not a second best";
balancing the need of the Industry for
industry ready employable manpower
& protection of the vulnerable.
It is in this context that a new
operational framework with
implementation guidelines is being
introduced. This framework is aimed at
making the apprenticeship
engagement friendlier both for the
industry and the youth. It is inclusive
with an aim to involve all stakeholders
including the Industry, its Chambers,
Sector Skill Councils, the Training
Partners an integral part of not only
policy making but also as a catalyst in
implementation and adoption. The
focus is on self-regulation with the
Industry taking on responsibility for the
efficient implementation of the
programme to a large extent. The
entire programme is set to be run
entirely on a user friendly online
interface - national apprenticeship
portal (http://apprenticeshipindia.org/).
The framework set below includes,
overall operational guidelines which
will act as a handy reference and
handbook for any current and
prospective user.
As per the new framework the
Apprenticeship scheme is now
anchored in the Ministry of Skill
Development and Entrepreneurship
(MSDE) at the national level. As per
guidelines issued by MSDE on 20th/
22nd February 2018 and 16th May
2018, a new implementation structure
has been put in place for administering
apprenticeship in India.
Under this structure, the Directorate
General of Training (DGT)will continue
to be responsible for apprenticeship
training in Designated Trades and the
National Skill Development
Corporation (NSDC) has been made
responsible for apprenticeship training
in Optional Trades. While the DGT will
be supported by the RDATs for the
implementation of the programme for
the Designated Trades, the NSDC is to
be supported by Sector Skill Councils
(SSC) and Industry Chambers in case
of Optional Trades. Additionally, in the
states, the State Skill Development
missions (SSDMs) will be expected to
take the responsibility of implementing
NAPS at a state level in case of
Optional Trades with the help of SSCs
and the Industry chambers at the state
level especially focusing on meeting
the state specific skilling requirement.
Similarly, with respect to Designated
Trades, the State Apprenticeship
Advisor (SAA) will implement
apprenticeship programme at State
level.
As the apprenticeship programme
(including NAPS) is to be implemented
both at the center and at the state level,
and implementation structure for both
the central and state level are shown
below.
08
 Figure 1 : Operational Framework for Apprenticeship Program (including NAPS) for establishments falling
under the Central Govt
MSDE
(JS-Central Apprenticeship Advsior)

DGT NSDC Higher Education Institutes

Designated Trades Optional Trades Designated Trades Optional Trades

10+2 Candidates Fresh Short Team Training Fresh

ITI Ecosystem
(vocational) Cardidates Candidates Cardidates

Industry Industry Industry Industry

Registering SSCs Not Required SSCs Not Required

RDAT BOAT
Authority (For NAPS) (Without NAPS) (For NAPS) (Without NAPS)

Figure 2 : Suggested Operational Framework for Apprenticeship Program (including NAPS) for establishments falling
under the State Govts

State Government

State Apprenticeship Cells State Skill Development Mission

Designated Trades Optional Trades

ITI 10+2 Candidates Fresh Short Term Training Fresh

Ecosystem (vocational) Candidates Candidates Candidates

Industry Industry

Registering SSCs Not Required

Authority SAA/AAA (For NAPS) (Without NAPS)

To be Finalized offer discussion with the State Governments

Refer table 3 of this document

09
Table 1 : The role of different agenciesunder the operational framework for Apprenticeship in India

Activity Stakeholders
DGT (DT) / SAA (DT) / Sector Skill Industry
NSDC (OT) SSDMs (OT) Councils (SSCs) Chambers

Industry Developing a strong To promote and implement Advocacy of apprenticeship in Advocacy of

Connect industry connect for apprenticeship at state the industry apprenticeship in the
implementation of level to complement industry
the apprenticeship DGT's/NSDC's role at
programme central level

Identification of To identify suitable Identification of state Identification of sectors Identification of sectors

Potential Sectors & interested specific sectors & job roles suitable for apprenticeship suitable for
industry/industry in consultation with programmes apprenticeship
sectors for SSCs/Industry chambers programmes
apprenticeship
programmes
• Courses, Developing Approval of curricula other - Assist industry develop - Assist industry develop
• Training, guidelines/standard than those approved by apprenticeship curricula apprenticeship curricula
• Assessment templates to help NSDC
Industry design in consultation with - Empanelment of Training - Assist industry in
and Certification Providers capacity building activity
courses & run these DGT/NSDC/Industry &
for provision of basic
programmes - Certification and training and on-the-job
Assessments training
- Empanelment of
Training Providers
Monitoring and - Acting as a - Acting as a monitoring unit - CEOs notified as Joint Act as an aggregator
other Support monitoring unit to to oversee activities Apprenticeship Advisors (TPA) to support the
Functions oversee activities performed by AAA/ SSCs / (JAAs) for online MSME clusters in running
performed by other state industry bodies the apprenticeship
RDATs/ SSCs/other - Registration of contracts program
industry bodies between employers and
- Undertake apprenticeship candidates (in case they opt
promotion activities for stipendsubsidy under
- Undertaking NAPS)
promotion activities
- NSDC shall design
an efficient portal to
run the entire
programme online in
consultation with
DGT

The following objectives are expected to be met through the new structure:
i. Improved participation by Services Sector
ii. Improved curriculum with larger industry involvement
iii. Career Pathways – providing upward mobility, aligned to NSQF levels
iv. Improved credibility of Short-term courses – and creation of better quality workforce
v. Option to choose certification issued by either SSC, NCVT or employer etc.

10
5. Establishments under the
Apprenticeship Programme
Establishment includes any place from
where any industry operates and
includes different departments
/branches situated at the same place
or at different places. Private under the purview of the Central govt;
Establishments which have offices or all other sunder the purview of the
branches in 4 or more states & all respective Sate govts from where it
Central Public Sector Undertakings fall operates/has branches.

Table 2: Establishment Eligibility and Norms for Apprenticeship

Employee Strength Eligibility for Apprenticeship Apprentice Band Apprenticeship Duration

0-5 Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable

6-40 Optional 2.5% - 10% of Employee strength 6-24 months

>40 Mandatory 2.5% - 10% of Employee strength 6-24 months

Note: Employee strength means total number of permanent and contractual employees

Table 3: The appropriate authority for establishments under the new operation framework

S. no. Type of Establishment Appropriate Authority

Central Govt State Govt
1 Central government or a department of central government ✓
2 State government of a department of state government ✓
3 A company in which not less than 51 percent of the share capital is ✓
held by the central government
4 A company in which not less than 51 percent of the share capital is held by the ✓
state government
5 A corporation established under a Central Act, which is owned, controlled or managed ✓
by central government
6 Any establishment which is operating business or trade from different locations situated ✓
in four or more states
7 Any establishment which is operating business or trade from different locations ✓
situated in less than 4 states
8 Any establishment of any railway, major port, mine or oil field ✓

11
5.1 Payment of stipend to apprentices
Establishments need to pay a stipend to apprentices as per the prescribed rate. This stipend rate is linked with the minimum
wages of a semi-skilled worker as notified by the State Govts/ Union Territory Administrations from time to time.
Figure 3 : The minimum stipend to be paid to apprentices

1st 70% of minimum wage of semi-skilled workers

Year notified by the respective State or Union territory

Minimum Stipend to be 2nd 80% of minimum wage of semi-skilled workers

Paid under Apprenticeship Year notified by the respective State or Union territory

3rd 90% of minimum wage of semi-skilled workers

Year notified by the respective State or Union territory.

The apprenticeship portal will have the updated notifications issued by states with respect to minimum wages.

To enroll under the apprenticeship programme, all establishments need to register on the apprentice portal
(http://apprenticeshipindia.org/). There is an instructions file on the home page to guide them on the registration process and
other functionalities on the portal. Even without registering, the public view on the portal gives the establishments access to
information on registered Candidates through Search Parameters on the portal like Registration Number, Gender, State,
District, Sector and Trade etc.

5.2 Contract with Apprentices

Establishments need to sign a contract of apprenticeship with every apprentice and upload the same on the apprenticeship
portal within 7 days of signing the contract. As far as Designated Trades are concerned this contract of apprenticeship needs
verification and registration by the respective authority as detailed in Fig 1& Fig 2. In case of Optional Trades, establishments are
required to only upload such contracts on the portal site. No separate registration/approval is required. However, to avail the
reimbursement under NAPS, establishment would need to register the contract of apprenticeship with the respective authority
as in Fig 1& Fig 2.

The contract is a simple pre-approved template laying down the obligations of the establishment and the apprentice.

5.3 Legal status of an Apprentice

Section 18 of the Apprentices Act, 1961 stipulates that the apprentices are trainees and not workers. The provisions of any law
with respect to labour shall not apply to or in relation to such apprentice.

12
5.4 Qualification Packs/courses to develop work place competencies under the Apprenticeship
Program
Refer section 9 of this document for details.

5.5 Training Partners & Basic Training Providers (including training centers) under the
Apprenticeship Program
Refer section 7 of this document for details.

5.6 Assessment & Certification

All apprentices would need to undergo an assessment on completion of the programme. The successful candidates would be
awarded a certificate. The pathways are given in table below:

Figure 4 : Pathways for Assessments & Certifications

*Note: Industry can alsoopt for joint certification with SSCs

13
5.7 Records to be maintained by the employer under the Apprentices Act
Under the Apprentices Act/rulesan establishment is required to maintain a register of attendance of the trade. The attendance
record and work diaryare required to be maintained by each apprentice.

5.8 Establishment opting for subsidy under NAPS

As is detailed in section 3of this document, NAPS was introduced in 2016 to incentivize the Industry to promote the
apprenticeship programme.Establishments have the option to choose whether they want to opt for the reimbursements under
NAPS scheme. In case they choose to opt for NAPS,while the basic parameter under the scheme will remain unchanged, the
establishment would need to meet the additional conditions listed below.

Figure 5 : Additional conditions for establishment to claim reimbursements under NAPS

Conditions for NAPS

Contract Register the contract of apprenticeship with the respective Apprenticeship Advisor (refer
Registration Fig 1 & Fig 2). This registration will happen online on the apprenticeship portal

Engage approved BTPs for the Basic Training component (refer section 7 of this
Engage with BTPs
document)

Have the assessment conducted through the SSCs/ NCVT (refer section 5.6 of this
Assessment
document

Run apprenticeship programmes in one of the pre-approved courses (refer section 9 of

Approved
this document). In case the establishment opts to run a course under optional trade which
Courses
is not included in this approved list, they must get it NSQF aligned in due course of time.

• The stipend must be paid to the Aadhaar linked bank account of the apprentice
• The stipend shall be paid through payment gateway onboarded on the Apprenticeship
Requirement for portal for automated reconciliation of transactions
Stipend
• Attendance details of the apprentice must be entered/ uploaded on the portal for
determination of amount payable to each apprentice

Establishment • The establishment who has business in any trade or occupation in India
Eligibility • Establishment must have a PAN
for Reimbursement • Establishment must have GST (where applicable)

5.8.1 Reimbursement of stipend /Basic training fee (under NAPS)

The processing of reimbursement of stipend the processing of reimbursement of stipend as per NAPS will be entirely online on
the apprenticeship portal. For reimbursement related guidelines, kindly refer to section 10 of this document.This process won't
be applicable to establishments who do not opt for NAPS reimbursement.

14
6. Apprentices & Modes of
delivery under the Apprenticeship
Programme
An apprentice is a person who has
entered intocontract of apprenticeship
with the employer for apprenticeship
training under the Act. The contract is a
Figure 6 : Type of apprentices and the concerned authoritiesunder Designated Trade of the apprenticeship programme
simple pre-approved template laying
down the obligations of the
establishment and the apprentice.
Section 18 of the Apprentices Act,
1961 stipulates that the apprentices
are trainees and not workers. The
provisions of any law with respect to
labour shall not apply to or in relation to
such apprentice.
15
 Figure 7 : Type of apprentices and the concerned authorities under Optional Trade of the apprenticeship programme

Table 4: Educational qualification/basic training requirements under Apprenticeship programme for different categories of
candidates

S.no. Entry Qualification Basic Training On the Job (OJT) Duration

(BT) Required Training Required of Training

1 School Dropouts (5th to 12th standard) ✓ ✓ 6-24 months

(including BT)

2 10+2 Vocational Certificate Holders ✗ ✓ 6-24 months

3 Short Term Training (approved under Central/ ✗ ✓ 6-24 months

State government) Pass outs

4 Engineering Graduate/Diploma holder ✗ ✓ 6-24 months

5 Non-Engineering Gradate/Diploma holder ✗ ✓ 6-24 months

Notes:
1. It is expected that candidates exempted from Basic Training have sufficient knowledge to enable them to undertake OJT,
without any basic training
2. In case of designated trades, the duration shall be 6 to 36 months

16
Candidates must fulfill the followingcriteria to enroll as apprenticeships:
• They should have completed 14 years of age for trades related to non-hazardous industry (and 18 years for trades
related to hazardous industry)
• Candidates must have an Aadhaar number
• They should have registered on the apprenticeship portal
• They must possess minimum age, educational and physical qualification prescribed for the trade
To enroll in apprenticeship, the candidate must register on the apprenticeship portal (http://apprenticeshipindia.org/). There is
an instructions file on the home page to guide thee candidate on the registration process and other functionalities on the portal.
Even without registering, the candidate can view the type of job roles offered by various establishments. The Candidate would
be able to search for the Job Roles (opportunities) by using the Search Parameterson the portal.

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7. Training Partners & Basic Training Provider
(BTP) under theApprenticeship Programme
As per the Apprenticeship Act, (Basic Training Provider or BTP). The BTPs (and their training centers)
establishment have the option to Besides it may choose to have this which stand pre-approved under the
undertake the Basic Training training done in his own premises or at apprenticeship programme are as
component of the apprenticeship any institute outside its premises follows:
coursesitself or through an agency having sufficient facilities.

Figure 9 : BTPs under Designated Trade

i.

ii.

i.

ii.

iii.

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 Figure 10 : BTPs under Optional Trade

As per the NAPS guidelines, a maximum of Rs 7,500 per candidate is reimbursable to the BTP for conducting the BT under the a
programme. For reimbursement related guidelines, kindly refer to section 10 of this document.

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8. Third Party Aggregator (TPA) under the
Apprenticeship Programme
Section 8(2) of the Apprentices Act,
1961 enables several employers may
join together either themselves or
through an agency approved by the
Apprenticeship Adviser, according to
the guidelines issued from time to time
by the Central Government in this
behalf, for the purpose of providing
apprenticeship training to the
apprentices under them. This will
specially facilitate the MSME whose
requirement for number of apprentices
is limited. AThird Party Aggregator
(TPA) will facilitate this.

8.1 Eligibility of TPA

• TPA can be an entity which is existence for 5 years
• TPA must have a pool of resource persons and infrastructure to be able to carry out such activity with adequate
experience in having undertaken such activity
• Letter of support from atleast 20 establishments which are interested to engage apprentices through them.
• TPAs can be of the following type:
• Registered Industry Associations
• Statutory university or private university under any provisions of the law made by Parliament/State Legislature.
• Technical Institute affiliated with All India Council for Technical Education/ Board or State Council of Technical
Education
• Industrial Training Institutes affiliated with National Council for Vocational Training
• Training providers accredited by NSDA/NSDC/DGT
• Any other educational/technical institution notified by the Central/State Government.
• NGOs'

8.2 Selection of TPA

Selection of TPAs for both the Designated Trades and Optional Trades will be done by MSDE on recommendation from DGT/
NSDC. For the present, the 14 TPAs selected by DGT (& notified as TPAs on the apprenticeship portal) will be permitted to act as
TPAs for both segments.

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8.3 Role of TPAs
Figure 11 : Role of TPAs

i.

ii.

iii.

i.

ii.

iii.

iv.

8.4 Responsibilities of Employers (in case a TPA is onboard)

• Enter into contract of apprenticeship with apprentices

• Uploading of apprenticeship contract on portal-site
• Arrange/provide of basic training to fresher apprentice (as coordinated by the TPA).
• Provide on-the-job training/practical training at his workplace (or at a common place as coordinatedon hisbehalf by the
TPA) to apprentice engaged by him.
• Payment of prescribed stipend to apprentices

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9. Apprenticeship Courses under the
Apprenticeship Programme
9.1 Integrating Short-Term Trainings (STT) with Apprenticeship Programme

It is understood that classroom
instruction trainings do not fully
stimulate the reality of workplace.
Apprenticeship training not only
provides an optimum balance between
theory and hands-on experience but
also updates the apprentices' skill and
knowledge of various codes, safety
rules and regulations, procedures,
proper use of tools and equipment,
reading and interpreting
documentation, troubleshooting,
teamwork and communication skills.
Integrating short-term courses with
apprenticeship training will fill this gap.
Hence it was decided to embed
apprenticeship in all the short-term
skilling initiatives. To rollthis out in first
phase, NSDC has selected out of the
QP based PMKVY (STT) courses a
few to be offered under the
apprenticeship programme through
two modes of training delivery:

1. Top up (Paired) mode - Apprenticeship (on-the-job training with the establishment) shall be offered in sequential mode
with various courses. Candidates can opt for the apprenticeship training after completion of the course

BT (Block I) OJT (Block II)

Covered in PMKVY Basic Training, Conducted primarily through hands-on

whi c h i s c onduc ted us i ng a training as an apprentice with an
combination of classroom and organization with an assessment as
practical training. It closes with an the end.
assessment at the end of QP1

2. Embedded mode - Apprenticeship (on-the-job training with the establishment) shall be made compulsory as part of the
short-term course curriculum. In this case, the candidates can undertake basic training and on-the-job training either
simultaneously or one after the other, in accordance with the arrangement between employer and SSC/ training partner.

BT (Block I) OJT (Block II)

Certain individual QPs may yield better
employment opportunities if
conducted in a mandatory embedded
apprenticeship mode. A QP is covered
in Basic Training (Block 1), which is
instructor-led conducted using a
combination of classroom and
practical training.
Block 2 is based on the same QP,
conducted primarily through hands-on
training as an apprentice with an
organization. Assessment will be
conducted on the QP at the end of
Block I and Block II.

Note 1: Eventually, all courses will have compulsory component of apprenticeship training.

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9.2 Trades under Apprenticeship
Programme
Apprenticeship programme in India includes two trades:

1. “Designated Trade (DT)” means
any trade or occupation or any subject
field in engineering or non-
engineering] or technology or any
vocational course which the Central
Government, notified in the official
gazette as a Designated Trade.
2. “Optional Trade (OT)” means any
trade or occupation not included in
notified list of Designated Trades, in
the field of manufacturing, services or
trade, as may be determined by the
employer and which leads to a
workplace competency
Note: As per Rule 7 A (16) of the
Apprenticeship Rules, 1992, an
establishment cannot run a trade as an
Optional Trade which has been notified
as Designated Trade under the
Apprenticeship Programme.

Table 5 : Details for courses under Designated Trades

Components Designated Trades

Basic Training On the Job Training (OJT)

Duration(1) 20-25% of the overall duration of 75-80% of the overall duration of

apprenticeship apprenticeship

Location Industry can choose to have it either in- Industry should conduct the OJT in-
house or outsource to a basic training house
center (BTP) (Refer to section 7)

Eligibility and Relaxation (Refer to section 6 of this document)

Courses Pre-Approved: 261

Approval Process Courses are developed by CSTARI – (Training and Research Institute under DGT)
and approved by CAC

Reimbursement under INR 7,500 per apprentice for a maximum 25% of prescribed stipend up to
NAPS of 3 months/ 500 hours maximum of INR 1,500 per month
per apprentice

(1) The total duration of apprenticeship under Designated Trades is 6-36 months.

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Table 6 : Details for courses under Optional Trades

Components Optional Trade

Basic Training (Block I) On the Job Training (OJT) (Block II)

Duration(1) 20-25% of the overall duration of 75-80% of the overall duration of

apprenticeship apprenticeship

Location Industry can choose to have it either in- Industry should conduct the OJT in-
house or outsource to a basic training house
center (BTP) (Refer to section 7)

Eligibility and Relaxation (Refer to section 6 of this document)

Courses(2) Pre-Approved: 230 (as of now and more to be added)

Approval Process (3)

Course Upload and Approval on Portal

Courses not under NAPS Courses under NAPS

Apprenticeship Cell Apprenticeship Cell

(NSDC) (NSDC)

Technical Approval
Committee(4)

Not approval required. Only

basic sanity check that
NSQC for NSQF alignment
standard template has been
used

Reimbursement under INR 7,500 per apprentice for a maximum 25% of prescribed stipend up to
NAPS of 3 months/ 500 hours maximum of INR 1,500 per month
per apprentice

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(1) Total Apprenticeship Duration: 6-24 month. BT and OJT can also be organized collectively specially in the context of
MSMEs whose requirements of number of apprenticeships may be limited with the help of TPAs

(2) Alternatively, an establishment is at liberty to opt for any other course/set of work place competency-based set of
qualification packs not included in the list of pre-approved on any subject in the manufacturing/services sector (The NSDC
has a basket of 2000 plus pre-approved qualification packs/set of work place competencies across various sectors any of
which can also be used by industry as its own course/or to develop its own course.While there is no approval required for
the Industry to start its own course as an Optional Trade, the advantage of designing a course based on these pre-
approved qualification packs is that subsequently these courses can easily be NSQF aligned; NSQF aligned courses are
eligible for subsidies/under NAPS)

Further NSQF aligned courses have the following advantages:

i. It provides a standard nomenclature for a specific set of qualification packs

ii. It ensures a standard competency output and objective signaling for the industry

The Apprenticeship Cell set up at NSDC shall act as a single window helpdesk to assist the industry to develop courses
including suggesting similar courses from the available QPs.

(3) The syllabi and duration of all such courses be disclosed on the apprenticeship portal site by the establishment.

(4) Technical approval committee will comprise of representatives of NSDC, DGT, SSC concerned (more than one SSC in
case the course is relevant to more than one sector), and experts from the industry

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10. Reimbursement process under NAPS
The reimbursement stipend & training fee for Basic training payable to establishment /BTPs under NAPS will be processed
online through the apprenticeship portal. The steps are detailed below:

Table 7 : Steps for online Reimbursement under NAPS

Reimbursement Process under NAPS

Frequency Reimbursements of stipend will be given on a quarterly basis

Calculation of Amount Apprenticeship portal calculates reimbursement amount payable to establishment

against stipend paid to apprentices

Apprenticeship portal calculated reimbursement amount payable to BTP against

cost of basic training

Disbursement through PFMSThis amount will be credited by the respective authority ie DGT for DTs &
NSDC for OTs through PFMS gateway

The establishment and BTP will need to be added on PFMS gateway as a

beneficiary

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11. New Apprenticeship Portal
An Apprenticeship portal has been specially designed to run the complete apprenticeship programme in an online mode.The
functionalities of the portal that are currently available and those under development stage are listed in below table.

Table 8 : Functionalities of the apprenticeship portal

S.no Functionality Currently Active Future

1 Registration and Login feature for Candidates ✓

2 Registration and Login feature for Establishments ✓

3 Login feature for Sector Skill Councils ✓

4 Registration and Login feature for Third Party Agencies (TPAs) ✓

5 List of Approved Designated and Optional Trades ✓

6 Course Upload feature for SSCs/Industries ✓

7 Candidate Search for Establishments ✓

8 Posting of Vacancies by Establishments ✓

9 Approval of Courses by SSCs (industry-SSCs jointly formed courses) ✓

10 Uploading of Contracts ✓

11 Reimbursement to Establishment/BTP for Basic Trainings ✓

12 Payment of Stipend by Establishments to Candidates ✓

13 Reimbursement of Stipend to Establishments ✓

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Portal related Helpline & Grievance Redressal

A helpline is being set up at NSDC to resolve any queries that the users may have regarding the portal features and functioning.
The details of the helpline will be available on the apprenticeship portal. The users can also send their specific questions or share
inputs with respect to apprenticeship portal by writing to info@apprenticeshipindia.org .
The chart below depicts the entire life cycle (at present) of the apprenticeship portal.

Figure 12 : Apprenticeship life cycle on the portal

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 MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Government of India
2nd Floor, Shivaji Stadium Annexe Building, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Marg
Connaught Place, New Delhi - 110001
Tel: 011 23450855 E-mail: contactmsde@gov.in
www.msde.gov.in • www.skilldevelopment.gov.in