APPRENTICESHIP
 |
Sri. I.SESHA REDDY, |
BACKGROUND
Development of human resource is crucial for the industrial development of any nation. Upgradation of skills is an important component of Human Resource Development. 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 was 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.
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 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.
MONITORING OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACT
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.
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.
24815 establishments engage trade apprentices.
STIPEND
Trade apprentices are paid stipend at following rates : Rs. 1090 p.m for 1st year, Rs. 1240 p.m. for 2nd year, Rs. 1440 p.m. for 3rd year and 1620 p.m for 4th year.(with effect from 21st March 2007)
The expenditure on stipend for trade apprentices is borne by the employers.
The rates of stipend for Graduate, Technician & Technician (Vocational) apprentices are Rs. 2600 p.m, Rs. 1850 p.m. and Rs. 1440 p.m. respectively. (with effect from 8th January 2008)
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
188 trades in 35 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.
Training comprises 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) or Related Instruction Centres (RICs) set up within the establishments or in a BTC or RIC set up by the Government.
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.
Every apprentice and employer has to enter into a contract of apprenticeship training, which is registered by the Apprenticeship Advisers.
Employers and apprentices have to fulfill their obligations under the Act.
TESTING AND CERTIFICATION OF TRADE APPRENTICES
All India Trade Tests (AITT) for trade apprentices are conducted by National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT) twice a year ( October/ November and April/May).
National Apprenticeship Certificates (NAC) are awarded to those who pass the AITT.
NAC is recognized for employment under Govt./Semi-Government departments/ organizations.
SKILL COMPETITION OF TRADE APPRENTICES
With a view to fostering healthy competition among apprentices as well as establishments, skill competition is organized at local, regional & All India levels.
Skill competition is held for 15 trades namely; Fitter, Machinist, Turner, Welder (Gas & Electric), Electrician, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Tool & Die Maker (Die & Moulds), Tool and Die Maker(Press Tool, Jigs & Fixture), Instrument Mechanic, Draughtsman (Mechanical), Mechanic Machine Tool Maintenance, Wireman, Mechanic(Diesel), Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Mechanic and Electronics Mechanic.
TRAINING OF GRADUATE, TECHNICIAN AND TECHNICIAN (VOCATIONAL APPRENTICES)
114 subject fields have been designated for the category of Graduate & Technician apprentices.
102 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.
