F. No. MSDE/** (**)/****-AP (PMU)

Government of India

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

3rd Floor, Shram Shakti Bhawan, Rafi Marg,

New Delhi - 110001

Dated: 8th June 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Extension of apprenticeship training to complete the training effected due to COVID-19 lockdown period - clarification reg.

MSDE has been receiving request from establishments and apprentices seeking clarification on requirement for extension of duration of training period under Apprenticeship training to complete the training disrupted due to COVID-19 lockdown. In this regard attention is drawn from the following provisions in the Act and Rules framed thereon:

2. As per Para 6 of Apprentices Act 1961(amended upto 2014) and Sub Rule 1 and 1A of Rule 7 of Apprenticeship Rules 1992(amended upto 2019), the period of apprenticeship training shall be specified in the contract of apprenticeship and shall be such as may be prescribed in Schedule – I and Schedule I-B for trade apprentices. Also for optional trade apprentices, as per Rule 7A(3) period of apprenticeship training may be 6 months to 3 years as defined in course curricula of each trade . 3. As per Sub Rule 2(b)(i) of Rule 7 of Apprenticeship Rules 1992(amended upto 2019), “Where a trade apprentice is unable to complete the period of apprenticeship training due to strike or lockout or layoff in an establishment where he is undergoing training and is not instrumental for the same, the period of his apprenticeship training shall be extended for a period equal to the period of strike or lockout or layoff, as the case may be, and he shall be paid stipend during the period of such strike or lockout or layoff or for a maximum period of six months, whichever is less”. 4. As the lockdown period due to COVID-19 is less than 6 months, establishments shall consider to extend the duration of training period equal to number of days of lock-down period, after duly modifying the duration of training period in the contract. Establishments are liable to pay the stipend to apprentices during the extended duration of training period due to COVID-19 lockdown. 5. As per Sub Rule(1) of Rule 12 of Apprenticeship Rule 1992(amended upto 2019), establishments also have window to complete training as per the prescribed curricula for designated and optional trades within the stipulated time period mentioned in contract by utilizing extra hours of training subjected to maximum duration of 48 hours per week.

(K.C. Gupta)

Central Apprenticeship Adviser/Joint Secretary to Govt. of India To ( with a request to circulate this OM to all establishment implementing Apprenticeship Training under their jurisdiction)

1. DG, DGT, MSDE

2. DDG, Apprenticeship, DGT,MSDE

3. Directors, RDSDEs, DGT, MSDE

4. MD and CEO, NSDC, Aerocity, MSDE,New Delhi

5. State Apprenticeship Advisers/Mission Directors of all the States/UTs 6. All CEOs of SSCs