APPRENTICES AND THEIR TRAININGCentral
Section 10 of The Apprentices Act, 1961
- (1)1[A trade apprentice] who is undergoing practical training in an establishment shall, during the period of practical training, be given a course of related instruction (which shall be appropriate to the trade) approved by the Central Government in consultation with the Central Apprenticeship Council, with a view to giving 2[the trade apprentice] such theoretical knowledge as he needs in order to become fully qualified as a skilled craftsman. 3[(2) Related instruction shall be imparted at the cost of employer and the employer shall, when so required, afford all facilities for imparting such instruction.] (3) Any time spent by 4 [a trade apprentice] in attending classes on related instruction shall be treated as part of his paid period of work. 5 [(4) In the case of trade apprentices who, after having undergone a course of institutional training, have passed the trade tests conducted by the National Council or have passed the trade tests and examinations conducted by a Board or State Council of Technical Education or any other authority which the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf, the related instruction may be given on such reduced or modified scale as may be prescribed. (5) Where any person has, during his course in a technical institution, become a graduate or technician apprentice 6 [technician (vocational) apprentice] and during his apprenticeship training he has to receive related instruction, then, the employer shall release such person from practical training to receive the related instruction in such institution, for such period as may be specified by the Central Apprenticeship Adviser or by any other person not below the rank of an Assistant Apprenticeship Adviser authorised by the Central Apprenticeship Adviser in writing in this behalf.]
Summary
- Trade apprentices must receive theoretical knowledge, called related instruction, to become qualified craftsmen.
- The employer is responsible for the cost of this instruction and must provide the necessary facilities.
- Any time an apprentice spends in these theoretical classes is counted as part of their paid working hours.
- For apprentices who already have some institutional training, the amount of related instruction may be reduced.
- Employers must release graduate or technician apprentices from their practical work so they can attend these classes at a technical institution.
Practical examples
1Meera is a welding apprentice at a shipyard. Every Tuesday morning from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, she leaves the shop floor to attend a classroom session on metallurgy. Her boss pays her for those three hours just like her time spent welding.
2A manufacturing company hires several graduate apprentices from a local engineering college. According to the schedule set by the Apprenticeship Adviser, the company allows these graduates to leave the factory for two afternoons a week to attend advanced theory classes at the college.
FAQ
1. Who pays for the books or classroom materials?
The employer must bear the cost of related instruction and provide the facilities for it.
2. Do all apprentices get the same amount of classroom time?
Not necessarily. If you have already finished institutional training and passed certain tests, your instruction hours might be reduced or modified.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 10 of The Apprentices Act, 1961, what is the legal status of time spent by a trade apprentice in theoretical classes?
Q2.Who is responsible for the costs of related instruction under Section 10 of The Apprentices Act, 1961?
Q3.Under Section 10 of The Apprentices Act, 1961, an employer must release which type of apprentice to receive instruction at a technical institution?
Q4.Under Section 10 of The Apprentices Act, 1961, who approves the related instruction courses?