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Apprenticeship - a unique training ride

Training and talent development has been provided an all-new dimension through the concept of ‘apprenticeships.'

The learning process of an apprenticeship programme offers an exceptional opportunity to hone up the skills of a professional and prepare him/her for the respective field in a thorough manner. Its unique ability of merging hands-on job experience with the training regime is what makes an apprenticeship programme a  real eye-grabber. As a result, the corporate world is fast recognising its benefits and people are seeking good apprenticeships to boost their career.

Arvinder Soora, head - human resources, Planet Retail, elaborates the concept further, "Apprenticeship is an agreement between a person (an apprentice) who wants to learn a skill and an employer who needs a skilled worker. It combines on-the-job experience with technical classroom training and is done with the objective of ensuring that the individual's employability quotient increases several fold immediately after he has completed his education and he /she also has a practical approach along with academic qualifications even though he/she will be getting employed for the first time. This concept works across any industry which is open to using fresh talent i.e., at all entry level positions."

Apprenticeship offers numerous benefits to a candidate in terms of career advancement. Soora tells us how, "Apprenticeship offers the opportunity to get a hands-on experience to people who have yet to decide which direction should they be taking their career to. It is a period when they can go through a series of trial and errors and still not be considered completely accountable for them since they are in the learning phase. A lot of apprentices end up getting absorbed by the same companies where they do their apprenticeship because both sides have experienced each other and see merit in working together.

For the corporate, it is a double benefit. Firstly, they get fresh blood and secondly, they get people who can hit the road running since the apprentice is already aware of the company's way of working."

But how is apprenticeship different from any other training/educational programme or even a job? Chandra Ganjoo, GM-HR, Trivitron Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., explains, "The major difference between an apprentice and an intern is the idea of a master craftsman who decides to take you under his wings. Internships are broader in their scope and apply to a variety of professions, whereas apprenticeship is limited towards skills that typically require manual or creative labour. Under apprenticeship, the act governs its conduct and is strictly followed up. The apprentice is given a contract for a period of time which can generally vary between six months and four years."

With the high demand of apprenticeship programmes, companies too insist upon certain pre-requisite qualifications to go along with the candidates' applications.

Ganjoo tells us about these requirements,

For Technician (Vocational ) Apprenticeship: 10+2+Diploma

For Technician Apprenticeship: Diploma in Engineering

For Graduate Apprenticeship: Engineering Degree

Apprenticeship can thus, open up a series of opportunities for the applicant in the corporate world. It is a highly advantageous programme as it provides a genuine chance for the apprentice to learn and expand his prospects in the respective field.

- - Palak Bhatia