Apprentice hiring to pick up pace

A recent study by leading recruitment firm TeamLease, Services and the National Employability Through Apprenticeship Programme (NETAP), has suggested that hiring of apprentices is likely to see an upward trend. Data from the study points out that about 40% of employers in manufacturing revealed a positive intent of hiring apprentices; while 42% companies in the services sector expressed a willingness to hire apprentices in the second half. Currently, however, 64% of companies are not hiring apprentices due to slowdown. The research entailed a survey of 500 employers across 12 sectors.

An apprentice is defined as a person — a graduate or diploma/vocational course holder — who undergoes training for a specified tenure in any industry or establishment. The stipend earned by an apprentice is approximately Rs 12,000 per month.