Understanding Graduate Engineer Trainees: Are They Covered by the Apprentice Act and Do We Deduct ESI & PF?

Good evening, Sir, What is a GET (Graduate Engineer Trainee)? Will they come under the Apprentice Act? Should we deduct ESI & PF for them?

Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET) Overview

A Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET) is an engineering graduate who joins an organization for practical training. This assignment prepares GETs to understand the operations, technology, and industry practices of a company before they take on a full-time position. Training, real-time project experience, and hands-on learning are all part of this period.

Applicability of the Apprentice Act

Whether GETs fall under the provisions of the Apprentice Act heavily relies on the nature of training. If this structure is apprenticeship-like with an emphasis on training and mentorship, GETs may be established under the Apprenticeship Act; otherwise, in the case of probation or probationary employment, the Act may not strictly apply.

Contract and Training Design

What varies is the kind of contract followed and therefore the design of the training. Thus, one has to foresee the particular terms of the GET program to conclude effectively if it is an apprenticeship under the Act in order to use such a provision.

Generally, apprenticeship trainees are meant for skilled trades, serving as a stepping stone for pre-undergraduate degree courses, such as ITI, SSLC passed, and Diploma holders. They receive a stipend from organizations at rates fixed by the states/Government of India under the Apprenticeship Act.

What is the difference between a graduate trainee and an apprenticeship?

The main difference is that a traineeship is offered in a broader range of occupations and is shorter—typically over one or two years. An apprenticeship covers skilled trades and takes a lot longer—usually three to four years, either full or part-time.

For more details, you can visit this link: https://www.apprenticeshipcareers.co...d-traineeships