Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 01: A total of 201 aspirational candidates and 40 establishments participated in the Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela (PMNAM) held across the three Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with participating establishments indicating 728 apprenticeship opportunities. The event was conducted on September 18 under the Skill India Mission of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) to connect youth with structured apprenticeship and workplace training.
The mela was organised at Government ITI Dollygunj in South Andaman, Government ITI Bakultala in North and Middle Andaman and Government ITI Arong in Car Nicobar.
Dollygunj recorded the highest participation, with 24 establishments and around 128 aspirational candidates attending. Participating establishments indicated approximately 696 apprenticeship opportunities.
At Bakultala, 11 establishments and around 46 candidates participated, with approximately 18 apprenticeship opportunities indicated. At Arong, five establishments and 27 candidates took part, while the participating establishments expressed willingness to engage 14 apprentices.
The figures, however, do not represent regular employment vacancies. The Department of Training clarified that the opportunities indicated during the mela are proposed apprenticeship positions. Actual engagement will take place only after establishments create the opportunities on the Apprenticeship India Portal and complete the prescribed selection and onboarding procedures.
The programme also underlined the distinction between apprenticeship and regular employment. Apprenticeship involves structured training in an industry or establishment under an apprenticeship contract and prescribed conditions. Apprentices participate as trainees for skill development and practical workplace learning rather than as regular employees or workers.
During the training period, apprentices receive the prescribed monthly stipend in accordance with applicable provisions. The programme is intended to provide practical exposure, build occupational competencies and improve the employability of participating youth.
Under the applicable provisions, establishments with four or more employees may engage apprentices within the prescribed range of 2.5% to 15% of their workforce. Establishments with 30 or more workers, including regular and contractual employees, are required to engage apprentices in accordance with the Apprentices Act, 1961.
At ITI Dollygunj, the event opened with ceremonial lamp lighting and Saraswati Vandana, followed by an address by Principal and Deputy Apprenticeship Advisor Venketesh Ch. Secretary (Labour, Employment and Training) Hemant Kumar, IAS, attended as chief guest and spoke on the role of apprenticeship in developing industry-relevant skills and improving employability.
Additional District Magistrate, South Andaman, Priyanka Kumari and the President of the Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry also addressed the gathering. Labour Commissioner and Director of Employment and Training K. Srinivasa Rao delivered the vote of thanks.
The Department of Training has urged eligible government and private establishments in the Islands to register on the Apprenticeship India Portal and create apprenticeship opportunities. It has also encouraged eligible youth to register on the portal and use apprenticeship training to acquire practical skills, workplace experience and industry exposure.
