7. Period of apprenticeship training. -(1) The period of apprenticeship training in the case of trade of apprentices refereed to in clause (b) of section 6 of the Act shall be as specified in Schedule I.
(2) (a) Where a trade apprentice is unable to complete the full apprenticeship course within the period prescribed in sub-rule (1) or to take the final test owing to illness or other circumstances beyond his control the establishment concerned shall extend the period of his apprenticeship until he completes the full apprenticeship course and the next test is held if so required by the Apprenticeship Adviser. Similar extension of the period of training may also be allowed in the case of those trade apprentices who having completed the course, fail in the final test. A trade apprentice who fails in the second test shall not be allowed any extension of the period of training;
(b) (i)Where a trade apprentice is unable to complete the period of apprenticeship training due to strike or lock-out or lay-off in an establishment where he is undergoing training and is not instrumental for the same, the period of his apprenticeship training shall be extended for a period equal to the period of strike or lock-out or lay-off, as the case may be, and he shall be paid stipend during the period of such strike or lock-out or lay-off or for a maximum period of six months, whichever is less;
(ii) If the strike or lock-out or lay-off is likely to continue for a longer period, the employer shall follow the procedure for novation of contract of apprenticeship of a trade apprentice referred to in clause (i) with the other employer as specified in section 5 of the Act.
(3) In the case of trade apprentices other than those covered by clause (a) of section 6 of the Act, the first six months of the period of training shall be treated as period of probation.
(4) (a) The period of apprenticeship training in the case of Engineering Graduates, Diploma holders and Vocational Certificate holders, shall be one year.
(b) In the case of Sandwich Course Students, the period of practical training they undergo as pan of apprenticeship course of studies shall be the period of apprenticeship training.
(c) Where a Graduate/Technician/Technician (Vocational) Apprentice is unable to complete the period of Apprenticeship training due to strike/lockout/lay off in an establishment where he is undergoing training and is not instrumental in the same, the period of his Apprenticeship Training would be extended equal to the period of strike/ lockout/lay off and he shall be paid stipend during the period of such strike/lockout/ lay off for a maximum period of six months, whichever is less.
(d) If the strike/lock-out/lay off is likely to continue for a longer period, the employer shall follow the procedure for novation of contract of apprenticeship for the apprentices referred to in clause (c) with the other employers as specified in section 5 of the Act.
| 