APPRENTICESHIP IS THE LEAP TOWARDS DEVELOPING THE YOUTH THROUGH ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND MAKING THEM INDUSTRY-READY: DEEPTI UPPAL

Chandigarh, August 10:

Under the aegis of Department of Employment Generation, Skill Development & Training, PSDM is not only providing Short Term Training to the youth but also focussing on apprenticeship through optional trades of National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme of GoI. Taking this endeavour forward, PSDM has recently organised technical workshops in Ludhiana and SAS Nagar for registration of industries and candidates on apprenticeship portal.

          Ms. Uppal asserted that as per Apprenticeship Act, all establishments having work force (regular and contract employees) of 30 or more are mandated to undertake Apprenticeship Programs in a range from 2.5% -15% of its workforce (including direct contractual employees) every year. She further stated that establishments engaging apprentices get a reimbursement of 25% of prescribed stipend subject to a maximum of Rs. 1500/- per month per apprentice and reimbursement of cost of basic training (up to a limit of Rs. 7500/- for a maximum of 500 hours= Rs. 15/hour) from the Government of India for basic training in respect of apprentices who come directly for apprenticeship training without any formal training.

          Ms. Uppal informed that 3713 establishments have registered on apprenticeship portal and 16802 contracts have been signed between apprentices and employers under optional trades. During last 2 months, PSDM has facilitated and approved contracts of 2818 candidates. These candidates have been engaged in apprenticeship in various trades such as Ring Frame Doffer & Tenter, Automotive Assembly Operator, Automotive Maintenance Technician, Machine Shop Supervisor, Assembly Line Supervisor, Packer, Retail Trainee Associate, Customer Care Executive and Sewing Machine Operator etc. –in industries like Nahar Industries, ITC Limited, Metro Tyres Ltd, Sport King India Ltd, Swaraj Engines Ltd., Trident Ltd, Mahindra & Mahindra, Cremica Food Industries Ltd., Hero Cycles Pvt. Ltd., Competent Synergies Pvt. Ltd., Eveline International and Rockman Industries etc. Taking this endeavour forward, PSDM has signed MoUs with various Industry Associations of Ludhiana also.

Ms. Deepti Uppal apprised that PSDM is conducting awareness campaigns and industry outreach programs at district level also. She urged the eligible industries to step in apprenticeship and hire apprentices as per their requirement so as to bridge the gap between demand & supply of human resource and prepare the youth of Punjab for domestic as well global employment opportunities. She assured that the department of Employment Generation & Industrial Training through District Program Management Units and District Bureau of Employment Enterprises is committed to facilitate mobilization of the candidates at district level.

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