My company in Jalandhar wants to engage apprentices; what are the requirements under the Apprentices Act and what stipend must be paid?

Detailed Legal Analysis

To engage apprentices in Jalandhar, your company must comply with the provisions of the Apprentices Act, 1961, which governs the training and employment of apprentices in India.

Here are the requirements and stipulations under the Apprentices Act:

• Eligibility Criteria for Apprentices:
  • Apprentices must be between 14 and 25 years of age.
  • They should meet the educational qualifications as prescribed for each trade.
• Apprenticeship Agreement:
  • An apprenticeship agreement must be executed in writing between the employer and the apprentice.
  • This agreement should specify the duration of the apprenticeship, the training to be provided, and the stipend to be paid.
• Registration:
  • Employers must register themselves with the Apprenticeship Portal managed by the Directorate General of Training.
  • Apprentices must also be registered under the Act, which can be done concurrently with the signing of the apprenticeship agreement.
• Training and Supervision:
  • The employer must ensure that apprentices receive practical training and are supervised by skilled workers.
  • Training must adhere to the guidelines set by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) or State Council for Vocational Training (SCVT).

Stipend Payment: According to the Apprentices Act, the stipend payable to apprentices is determined as follows:

• For graduates and diploma holders in engineering or technology, the stipend should be 70% of the minimum wage of skilled workers in the respective state.
• For other categories of apprentices, the stipend should be 60% of the minimum wage of unskilled workers.
• It’s important to note that the specific stipend amount may vary based on state regulations and the trade in which the apprenticeship is being conducted.

Employers must adhere to these guidelines to ensure compliance with the Apprentices Act, 1961, and the rules framed thereunder, including the Apprenticeship Rules, 1992. Non-compliance may lead to penalties as prescribed under Section 30 of the Act.