PANAJI
Taking serious cognizance of violations in the engagement of apprentices by the government departments and establishments, the Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has made prior approval of the State Apprenticeship Advisor mandatory before issuing or executing any apprenticeship contract.
In a circular dated November 5, State Apprenticeship Advisor and Director Vinayak Kambli has directed all departments and establishments to strictly adhere to the prescribed procedure under the Apprentices Act, 1961, and the Goa Chief Minister's Apprenticeship Policy for Government Establishments-2023.
The directive comes after the Directorate observed that some Government establishments had been engaging apprentices without executing apprenticeship contracts and subsequently approaching the State Apprenticeship Advisor for approval to regularise the contracts retrospectively. It also found that certain establishments were not uploading 100 per cent of their apprentice vacancies on the Apprenticeship Portal, despite being entitled to do so.
The Directorate noted that such practices were causing hardship to candidates seeking apprenticeship training and creating difficulties for the State Apprenticeship Advisor in approving contracts and monitoring the overall implementation of the apprenticeship programme.
Under the revised instructions, departments must submit proposals for engaging apprentices, along with supporting documents, prescribed qualifications, trade/category, duration of training and other relevant details, for scrutiny and prior approval.
The eligibility, qualifications and suitability of candidates will be verified by the Assistant Apprenticeship Advisor/Assistant Director (Training) of the State Apprenticeship Monitoring Cell before proposals are placed for approval.
The circular categorically prohibits Government departments and establishments from issuing, executing or registering any apprenticeship contract without obtaining prior approval from the State Apprenticeship Advisor.
Further, appointment orders issued to apprentices must compulsorily mention the contract number generated through the National Apprenticeship Portal. No appointment order can be issued without incorporating this number.
The Directorate has also made monthly attendance certificates, duly signed by the concerned authority, mandatory before the release of monthly stipend payments to apprentices.
Holding administrative heads responsible for compliance, the circular directs them to ensure strict adherence to the instructions and bring them to the notice of all officers and dealing hands involved in apprentice engagement.
The instructions have come into immediate effect, with all Government departments and establishments directed to ensure that no apprenticeship contract is processed or executed in violation of the prescribed procedure.
