Introduction

In pursuance of the recommendations of the Scientific Manpower Committee, the Apprenticeship Training Scheme for Engineering Graduates and Diploma Holders in Engineering was introduced during post-independence era by the then Ministry of Education, Government of India, under a scheme which was known as Practical Training Stipendiary Scheme (PTS Scheme). In this Scheme, a limited number of Graduates and Diploma holders in Engineering / Technology were trained in the Industries for Practical Training on a monthly Stipend. The PTS Scheme was purely on voluntary basis and the stipend paid to the Apprentices were fully borne by the Government of India and the scheme was administered directly by the then Ministry of Education, Government of India.

Enactment of Apprentices Act 1961

The importance of industrialization was emphasised by the Government of India in order to provide job opportunities for the vast majority of the people and to achieve economic growth. The various skills needed for the industries were identified. In order to meet the requirements of the industries the Government of India decided to utilise the facilities available in the industries for training technicians and thus the Apprenticeship Training was envisaged and the Apprentices Act, 1961 was enacted in the Parliament during December 1961, to provide Practical Training to Pass-outs of Industrial Training Institutes to enhance their technical competency. Central Apprenticeship Council was created to advise the Government to formulate Policies and Procedures

Amendments of Apprentices Act

In order to develop competent supervisors and engineers, the Apprentices Act was amended during the year 1973, accordingly, the Engineering Graduates and Diploma holders in Engineering / Technology were brought under the purview of the scheme and they were called as Graduate and Technician Apprentices. Further, in the year 1986, the Apprentices Act was once again amended to bring Higher Secondary (10+2) Vocational Certificate Holders under the purview of the Scheme. The new category of Apprentices are known as Technician (Vocational) Apprentices.

During 2014, non engineering degree (or) diploma holders are included in Graduate and Technician Apprenticeship Training Scheme.

Implementation of Graduate & Technician Apprenticeship Training Scheme, for engineering students was entrusted to Regional Boards of Apprenticeship / Practical Training under the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

Under Graduate & Technician Apprenticeship Scheme 164 Subject fields / branch of engineering have been notified with apart from Optional Trade.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in its meeting on 24/11/2021 has approved to include Apprenticeship Training to the students of General Streams such as BA/B.Sc/B.Com/BBA/BCA etc…