Railways announces massive training program for 30,000 apprentices
The Indian Railways has announced a massive apprenticeship program for 2018-19, and plans to train 30,000 apprentices as part of a Skill India initiative. The trainees would then be absorbed in various roles - fitters, machinists, welders, carpenters, painters, electricians and more. For 2017-18, 26,000 training slots for apprentices have already been notified, apart from the 4,000 people already undergoing training.
Piyush Goyal announces drive on Twitter
Apprentices' training program to consist of basic training, on-the-job lessons
The apprentices' training program consists of basic training and on-the-job training. Basic training is an essential component for those who have not undergone any institutional training or skill, before taking up on-the-job lessons, the Railways said. Basic training accounts for 20-30% of the overall duration of the program. Training would take place at 16 zonal and seven production units.
Apprentices to get preference in 12,000 vacant posts
Apprentices trained in Railway establishments will get preference for 12,000 of the 62,907 vacancies announced recently in Level 1 pay scale. This is in line with the recent amendments in the Apprentices Act, 1961, which directs 12,000 positions to be earmarked exclusively for apprentices. The Railways is also conducting hiring drives for 89,000 employees in Level C and D.
'Important program considering 3.3% of the workforce retires annually'
"It's an annual recruitment. It's long overdue, especially following the average trend of 3.3% of workforce retiring every year. Safety is an important aspect of railways and workforce is required to ensure it. It should happen regularly," said former railway board chairman Arunendra Kumar.
