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

Detailed Legal Analysis

Under the Apprentices Act, 1961, every employer in designated trades must engage apprentices in accordance with the ratio prescribed by the Central Apprenticeship Council. The apprenticeship period ranges from six months to four years depending on the trade, and the apprentice must be at least fourteen years old with the prescribed educational qualification.

The employer must pay a stipend at the rate notified by the government, which varies by trade and year of apprenticeship. The employer is not obligated to offer regular employment upon completion, but must provide training facilities and a contract of apprenticeship.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court may be approached if the employer fails to engage the required number of apprentices. The Himachal Pradesh Rent Control Act 2012 on apprenticeship may have additional state-specific rules.

Non-compliance attracts fine up to five hundred rupees for the first offence and higher penalties for subsequent offences.