Apprentices Act

What is an apprentice?

Under Indian law, an apprentice is someone undergoing formal apprenticeship training in a specific industry. The training combines classroom-based instruction with hands-on, on-the-job experience at a workplace.

The Apprentices Act, 1961

The Apprentices Act was introduced to develop new skills in the workforce and sharpen existing ones through structured training across industries. Its broader purpose is to ensure that industries have access to technically trained people, and that new entrants, particularly engineers and tradespeople, get real workplace exposure rather than purely theoretical education.

The Board of Apprenticeship Training was established under the Act to oversee this and give new engineers practical work environments.

The Act applies only to industries and areas specifically notified by the Central Government under Section 2(k). It does not apply automatically to any industry without a government notification.

Eligibility

To be appointed as an apprentice, a candidate must be at least 14 years old, physically fit, and meet the educational standards prescribed under Rule 3 read with Schedules I, IA, and II of the Act.

Is an apprentice a worker?

No. Under Section 18 of the Act, an apprentice is classified as a trainee, not a worker. This means standard labour laws do not apply to them during training. There are limited exceptions: certain provisions of the Factories Act, 1948, the Mines Act, 1952, and the Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923 apply to apprentices specifically for their welfare and safety.