The Apprentices Act of 1961 aims to regulate training arrangements in Indian industry to meet the increasing demand for skilled craftsmen. Key objectives include utilizing training facilities, ensuring apprentices receive training according to planned programs, and promoting and improving skills. The Act obligates employers to provide qualified training to apprentices and comply with apprenticeship contracts. Apprentices must attend classes, follow orders, and learn their trade diligently. Rights include stipends, health protections, leave, and compensation for accidents. Apprentices are trainees, not workers, though some labor laws apply. Disputes are first referred to Apprentice Advisors, and completing the Final Test qualifies apprentices without obligating employment offers.

1. THE APPRENTICES
ACT
1961

2. Introduction
■ Introduced to supplement the program of industrial training .
■ To regulate the training arrangements in the industry .
■ It came into force on 1st March, 1962 and is applicable to whole of
India .

3. The Objective
■ To meet the increasing demand for skill craftsmen .
■ To utilize facilities available for training apprentices .
■ To ensure their training in accordance with plan programmed .
■ Promotion of new man power skill .
■ Improvement & refinement of old skill.

4. Obligations
■ Provide the apprentice with the training in his trade accordance with
the provisions of the act .
■ Place in charge of training a qualified person if the employer is not
himself qualified in the trade.
■ Carry out his obligations under the contract of apprentices .
Employers :

5. ■ Attend classes regularly .
■ Carry out lawful orders of his employer and supervisors .
■ Carry out his obligations under the contract of apprenticeship .
■ Learn his trade conscientiously and diligently and endeavor to
become a skilled craftsman .
Apprentices :

6. Rights of apprentice
■ Employer has to pay stipulated stipend to the apprentice .
■ Employer has to take care of the apprentices’ health, safety and
welfare as indicated in the Factories Act .
■ Apprentice is entitled to holidays and leave (including 90 days
maternity leave to female apprentices) in accordance with rules of the
Act .
■ In case of industrial accident, apprentice is entitled to compensation
underWorkmen’s Compensation Act, 1923 .

7. Status of apprentices
■ Apprentice is a trainee and not a worker .
■ Provisions of labor laws do not apply to him unless made specifically
applicable .
■ Industrial Disputes Act is applicable to apprentices but acts on
payments of bonus, PF, ESI, Gratuity are not applicable .
■ Employer has to maintain records about apprentice’s training
progress .

8. Settlement of dispute
■ Any dispute between employer and apprentice has first to be referred
to Apprentice Advisor for a decision .
■ At the end of the training apprentice has to appear for the Final All
IndiaTest conducted by National Council forTraining inVocational
Trades .
■ Unless specifically included in the apprenticeship contract, on
completion of apprenticeship, there is no obligation on employer to
offer employment or on apprentice to accept it .

9. Offences & disputes
■ The act provides for imprisonment up to six months or fine or both, if
employer appoints an apprentice who is not qualified to be engaged,
or fails to comply with the act of apprenticeship or contravenes the
provisions of the Act related to number of apprentices to be
appointed .
■ If the offence is committed by the company, persons responsible for
the conduct of its business are also subject to above punishment .

10. Thank you
Presentation by
MANU KRISHNA