Apprenticeship: Key features
The development of human resources is crucial for industrial development and the upgradation of skills is an important component of human resource development. Training imparted in educational institutions alone is not sufficient for the 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 the industry for imparting practical training with a view to meeting the requirements of skilled manpower for the 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.
The Apprenticeship Act was enacted with the objective
1. 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
2. To utilize the facilities available in the industry for imparting practical training with a view to meeting the requirements of skilled manpower for the industry
The Apprenticeship Program in India under the Apprenticeship Act 1961 is implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) at the national level. The MSDE has entrusted the Directorate General of Training (DGT) to implement the Apprenticeship training falling under Designated Trades and made the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) responsible for Apprenticeship training under Optional Trades. Trades notified by the government are referred to as Designated Trades. The other trades which are not included in the notified list of the Designated Trades but opted as a trade/course to be run under the Apprentices Act by an establishment are referred to as Optional Trades.
National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)
The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) is a scheme of the Government of India to provide financial support to establishments undertaking Apprenticeship training. NAPS was launched on August 19, 2016.
Objectives of NAPS
(1) To promote Apprenticeship training in the country.
(2) To provide financial support to establishments to undertake apprenticeship programs in the following ways:
A. To support establishments, especially MSMEs, to engage Apprentices under the Apprentices Act and pay a stipend to them as per prescribed rates wherein under NAPS 25% of prescribed stipend subject to a maximum of Rs 1,500/- per month per Apprentice is reimbursed to such establishments by the Government of India to engage apprentices.
B. To support the establishments, especially MSMEs, who do not have inhouse Basic Training Facilities. Such establishments can set up such facilities in house or at a center outside its premises or to engage Training Partners to undertake the Basic Training activity on their behalf for fresher apprentices who need to undergo such Basic Training before joining the shop floor (on the job training) under the Apprenticeship Program. Basic training cost up to a limit of Rs 7,500/- per Apprentice for a maximum of 500 hours is reimbursed to them (to be calculated @ Rs. 15/hour) /or to the Basic Training Provider engaged by them under NAPS by the Government of India.
Chief Minister Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (CMAPS)
In the 2020-21 Budget, the Uttar Pradesh government had announced the Chief Minister Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (CMAPS) in which Rs 1,000 stipend will be borne by the state government in addition to Rs 1,500 of Centre.
Visit: https://apprenticeshipindia.org/ to know more. Click here for Apprenticeship-related FAQs.
