How apprenticeship connects jobs with skills through practical training and earning

The dream of every skilled person is to learn further, improve and gain work experience under the guidance of an industry expert. Experienced experts in specific trades can add tremendous value to the skills of youth who are about to start their careers. Apprenticeship training helps youth gain real life work experience in a real work environment after they have picked up knowledge and skills as a part of any formal education or training program. It is the best way to utilize the intellectual and physical resources of an industry or a corporate organization to complement the gaps in academic learning through rigorous practice with latest tools and technologies. 

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Today, we need many companies in India, both public and private, to encourage apprentices and absorb them as regular employees after successful completion of their apprenticeship training. This is normally a long-term training program between 6 months to one year where the apprentices are exposed to various aspects of practical, hands-on work under the guidance of experts and seniors who help them go through various stages of a profession at a certain level with clear-cut outcomes and results. Since apprentices are paid a stipend, it also helps them earn-while-they-learn and sustain themselves financially.

Click here to know about 7 ways to successfully implement National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS).

The Apprentices Act, 1961 was enacted with the objective of regulating the programme of training of apprentices in the industry by utilizing the facilities available therein for imparting on-the-job training. The Act makes it obligatory for employers in specified industries to engage apprentices in designated trades to impart Apprenticeship Training on the job in industry to youth and person having National Trade certificate issued by National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) to develop skilled manpower for the industry.

Let’s look at some of the key resources on Apprenticeship in India that give us a clear picture of what options are available for prospective apprentices, companies that want to recruit apprentices and academic institution that wish to align with the industry.

National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS)

The National Apprenticeship Training Scheme is floated by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). This is a one-year apprenticeship program for technical and engineering students for facilitating industry experience through practical knowledge and skills in their chose field of work.The scheme is implemented through dedicated boards for each region. Click on the links below to know more about different regions:

• The northern region
• The southern region
• The eastern region
• The western region

There are details for students, academic institutions and industry about how the scheme can benefits each one of them. Click on the links below get detailed information on students, institutions and industry.

• For students
• For academic institutions
• For industry

Apprentice Protsahan Yojana (APY)

Apprentice Protsahan Yojana was started in October 2014 by the Government of India under the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Under this scheme 50% of the stipend would be shared by the government for the first two years of training under some terms and conditions about levels of engagement, following the Apprentices Act, 1961.

Click here for the detailed guidelines on Apprentice Protsahan Yojana.

There are four categories of apprentices namely; trade apprentice, graduate, technician and technician (vocational) apprentices. Qualifications of trade apprentices vary from class VIII pass to XII pass (10+2) system. Period of training varies from 6 months to 4 years.

Key highlights of Apprentice Protsahan Yojana (APY) implemented under the Central Sector Scheme Objective of the Scheme:

• Sharing of 50% of prescribed stipend by the Government of India for first two years of apprenticeship training for 1,00,000 apprentices to be engaged by establishments covered under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
• Scope: This Scheme will cover all categories of apprentices except the Graduate, Technician and Technician (Vocational) apprentices which are covered by the Scheme administered by Ministry of HRD.
• Duration: 1-10-2014 to 31-03-2017. Funds Allocated: Rs.346.00 crore.
• Target: To support training of 1,00,000 apprentices during the remaining period of 12th Five Year Plan by sharing 50 percent of the expenses on account of stipend paid to the apprentices.
• Eligible Employers: Any establishment where trade, occupation or subject field in engineering or technology is carried out in terms of the Apprentices Act 1961 as amended from time to time.
• Eligible Apprentices: Anyone who is above 14 years of age and fulfills the requirements of the Apprentices Act, 1961.
• Implementing Agency: Each Regional Directorate of Apprenticeship Training (RDAT) under the control of Directorate General of Employment & Training (DGE&T) will act as an implementing agency in their region.

Apprenticeship Training Portal

The Apprenticeship Training Portal is launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). This portal is a one-stop solution for all the information regarding institutions, courses and certifications that come under the purview of National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT).

The National Council for Vocational Training, an advisory body, was set up by the Government of India in 1956 (the then National Council of Training in Vocational Trades—NCTVT). The Council has been entrusted with the responsibilities of prescribing standards and curricula for craftsmen training, advising the Government of India on the overall policy and programs, conducting All India Trade Tests and awarding National Trade Certificates.

Regional Directorates of Apprenticeship Training (RDAT)

The Regional Directorates of Apprenticeship Training (RDAT) play an important role in implementing the apprenticeship programs in various regions. There are 6 RDATs in Mumbai, Kanpur, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Faridabad, Chennai. Click the links below to know more about RDATs.

• Mumbai
• Hyderabad
• Chennai

Board of Apprenticeship Training (Southern Region)

The Board of Apprenticeship Training (Southern Region) that takes care of the apprenticeship requirements of the southern states of India. Click here to contact the Board for more details.