On September 12, 2023, the Logistics Sector Skill Council (LSC) and the Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations in India (FFFAI) organised a webinar titled “Awareness Workshop on Apprenticeship Training” to raise awareness among FFFAI member organisations.

The webinar was presided over by Mr. Shankar Shinde, Chairman, FFFAI. Mr. Tej Contractor, President, IIFF; Dr. T.C. Saravanabava, Head – Apprenticeship, LSC; and Mr. Anthony Coelho, Vice President – LSC were the panellists for the webinar. Mr. Sudhir Agarwal, Hony. Treasurer and OB In Charge Skill Development Committee, FFFAI. On this occasion, Mr. Vinod Sharma, the Hony Secretary of the FFFAI, was also present. The webinar was attended by several FFFAI Member groups from all around the nation. The primary goal of the webinar was to implement

Apprenticeship training is one of the most effective strategies to produce skilled labour for the nation, according to Dr. T.C. Saravanabava. It offers a practical, industry-led, and effective kind of formal training.

In 1959, the National Apprenticeship Act was initially implemented on a voluntary basis. The legislation was introduced to the parliament in 1961 and went into effect on January 1st, 1963. Two amendments to the law were made in 1973 and 1986.

There is a schedule with 38 portions. The schedule relates to changes made to the Workmen’s Compensation Act of 1923 so that it would apply to apprentices as defined by the 1961 Apprentices Act.

The Central Apprenticeship Advisor/Director of Apprenticeship Training in the DGE&T, Ministry of Labour and Employment is responsible for administering the Apprentices Act of 1961 in relation to trade apprentices on behalf of the Central Government and Department with the assistance of six Regional Directorates of Apprenticeship Training (RDATs).

According to the Act, apprentices are those who participate in an apprenticeship programme and get practical instruction over a set period of time. The minimum age necessary to participate in training is 14, and in cases where specific safety requirements apply, the minimum age is 18. For unique trades and special groups of apprentices, additional credentials may be required in addition to the one specified above.

The Act has been significantly amended by the government, making it more appealing to business and young alike. The government expanded the definition of apprenticeship to include the service industry and created optional trades to attract apprentices to the sector. The government of India established a programme to encourage apprenticeship training and to boost apprentice participation in the service industry.

Apprentices must make up between 2.5 percent and 15 percent of all employees, including temporary workers, at eligible firms.

No month should have fewer than 2 percent apprentices, and no fiscal year should have more than 18 percent.

Employers are free to choose the prospects they want to hire.  Additionally, companies can register on the government’s apprentice site to find applicants. If not, they can also make a choice through an internal circle and input it into the portal. Apprentices and employers should both register on the site.

Every three months, the employer must post on portal sites a notice of their plan to hire apprentices.

Employers should use apprentices to complete obligations that are mandated. They must to take advantage.

According to Section 30 of the Act, any employer who violates the Act’s requirement on the number of apprentices he must hire in order to comply with the rules shall be given a warning. If the employer does not respond or the authority is not satisfied with the explanation provided by the employer, he will be fined Rs. 500 per apprentice every month for the first three months. After then, until all of the available seats are filled, Rs. 1000 per apprentice every month.

The Government of India’s Ministry of Skill Development founded LSC, which has been actively encouraging apprenticeships among all stakeholders. The CEO of LSC was proposed by the Government adoption of apprenticeship education in the logistics industry. The 42 optional trades that LSC has created and made accessible for apprenticeship training cover all of its subsectors, including EXIM.

By educating its 6500 members, who are represented by 31 Member associations around the nation, Mr. Shinde clarified the crucial role being performed by LSC and the affiliation of FFFAI with this organisation. Mr. Shinde also reaffirmed his entire support for the apprenticeship project.  He made the argument that as more apprentices begin their apprenticeships, the population of people with training and skills will eventually rise. As a result, firms are able to hire talented workers that are advantageous to the business with a minimal investment in training.

Mr. Sudhir Agarwal, who moved for a vote of gratitude, stated that India has to make meaningful efforts to close the skilled labour shortage. The measures taken by the government through LSC in this area are highly commended. This helps non-metropolitan cities in particular. To meet the needs of the logistics business, many additional courses are needed to make the apprenticeship/training exercise a huge success.