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 of meeting the requirements of skilled manpower for industry.
EVOLUTION OF APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING SCHEME
» National Apprenticeship Scheme was started in 1959 on Voluntary
Basis.
» Apprentices Act was enacted
in 1961 and implemented w.e.f. 01.03.1962
» Initially the Act envisaged
training of Trade Apprentices only
» The Act was amended in 1973
to include training of Graduates and
Diploma Engineers as "Graduate" and "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.
» It was further amended in
1997 to amend various sections of the Act
as regards definition of “establishment” and “worker”,
termination of apprenticeship contract, number of apprentices for a
designated trade, practical and basic training
of apprentices, obligation of
employers, penalty for contravening the provisions of the Act and
cognizance of offences
» The Act was again amended in
2008 to amend various sections of the
Act as regards reservation for candidates belonging to Other Backward
Classes (OBCs), expenditure on Related Instruction (RI) shall be
imparted at the cost of employer and the employer shall, when so
required, afford all facilities for imparting such instructions and to
provide flexibility in respect of ratios prescribed for apprenticeship
seats.
» The act was further amended
in 2014 replacing Trade-wise regulation
by a band of 2.5% to 10% of the total strength of the workers,
introduction of optional trades, extending the scope to non-engineering
occupations, doing away with imprisonment for non compliance and
limiting the penalties to fine only. Allowing outsourcing of Basic
Training and bringing the establishments operating in four or more
states into the fold of Central authorities for easy interface, etc.
MONITORING OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACT
» DGT under MSDE is responsible
for
implementation of the Act in respect of Trade and Technician
(Vocational) Apprentices in the Central Government, Central PSUs,
Private Sector operating in 4 or more states / UTs through Regional
Directorates of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (RDSDEs)
located at every State/UT.
» State Apprenticeship Advisers are responsible for implementation of the
Act in respect of Trade Apprentices in State Government Undertakings / Departments and
Private Establishments (having presence in less than 4 states).
» For Graduate and Technician Apprentices, Department of Education in the Ministry
of Human Resource Development is responsible for implementation through four Boards of
Apprenticeship Training (BOAT) located at Chennai, Kanpur, Kolkata, and Mumbai.
CENTRAL APPRENTICESHIP COUNCIL (CAC)
» It is an apex statutory body.
It advises the Government on
laying down of policies and prescribing norms & standards in respect of
Apprenticeship Training Scheme (ATS).
» It was reconstituted with
effect from 27th March, 2014 for 3 years.
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.
» 260 groups of industries are
covered under the Act.
STIPEND
The minimum rate of stipend per month payable to trade apprentices is
as follows:
Year | Minimum Rate of Stipend |
First Year
|
70% of minimum wage of semi-skilled
workers notified by the respective State or Union territory
|
Second Year
|
80% of minimum wage of semi-skilled
workers notified by the respective State or Union territory
|
Third & Fourth Year
|
90% of minimum wage of
semi-skilled workers notified by the respective State or Union
territory
|