BACKGROUND
Development of human resource is crucial for the industrial development of any nation. Up-gradation 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 at the workplace. The Apprentices Act, 1961 was enacted with the prime objective to utilize fully the facilities available in industry for imparting practical training with a view to meeting the requirements of skilled manpower for industry. Initially, the Act covered the apprenticeship training for the trade Apprentices and subsequently amended in 1973, 1986 and 2014 to bring the Graduates, Technician, Technician (Vocational) and Optional Trade Apprentices respectively under its purview.
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 prescribed syllabi, period of training etc.as laid down by the Central Apprenticeship Council; and
- To utilise the facilities available in industry for imparting practical training with a view to meeting the requirements of skilled manpower for industry.
MONITORING OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACT
- Directorate General of Training under Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship monitors the implementation of the Apprentices Act in respect of Trade Apprentices in the Central Government Undertakings & Departments and establishments operating business 4 or more states through six Regional Directorates of Apprenticeship Training (RDAT) located at Chennai, Faridabad, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Kolkata, & Mumbai.
- 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 Human Resource Development is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Act in respect of Graduate, Technician & Technician (Vocational) Apprentices. This monitoring is done through four Boards of Apprenticeship Training located at Chennai, Kanpur, Kolkata and Mumbai.
CENTRAL APPRENTICESHIP COUNCIL
- It is an apex statutory body.It is tripartite by constituion with members from Government both Central and States/UTs, Employers etc.
- It advises the Government on laying down of policies and prescribing norms & standards in respect of Apprenticeship Training.
Fields of apprenticeship training
Apprenticeship training can be provided to apprentices both in designated and optional trades.
- Designated trade
- Optional trade
Designated trade means any trade or occupation as notified by the Government.
Optional trade means any trade or occupation decided by an employer.
Categories of apprentices
There are five categories of apprentices:
- Trade apprentices
- Graduate apprentices
- Technician apprentices
- Technician (Vocational) apprentices
- Optional trade apprentices