Govt Reconstitutes CAC to Strengthen Apprenticeship Training and Drive Industry Reforms
In a move to enhance apprenticeship programs across India, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has restructured the Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC), tasked with reforming existing rules and promoting industry adoption of on-the-job training. This reconstituted council, with a three-year mandate, is designed to bolster apprenticeship opportunities and encourage workforce development.
The new CAC includes 54 members, representing industry associations, PSUs, state governments, and independent experts. This is an increase from the previous 46 members when the council was last constituted in March 2019. Notable among the expanded membership are six PSUs, including Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), South Eastern Coalfields, Neyveli Lignite Corporation India Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Major private-sector employers like TATA Group, Maruti Suzuki, Reliance Industries, Toyota, and the Indian Banks Association are also represented.
According to the MSDE notification dated October 17, MSDE Minister Jayant Chaudhary will chair the new council, with Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney serving as the vice-chairman—a shift from the previous structure, where the Union Minister of State for MSDE held the vice-chairman position. This leadership adjustment aligns with the council’s reinforced commitment to improving apprenticeship pathways.
Under the Apprenticeship Act, 1961, the CAC serves as a statutory advisory body, guiding the central government on implementing apprenticeship policies. Its goals include policy reform, expanding apprenticeship uptake, and creating a more accessible, job-ready workforce. This strategic reconstitution aims to streamline apprenticeship frameworks to meet industry demands, linking India’s apprenticeship ecosystem to its larger workforce and economic development goals.
| Why in News | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Reconstitution of the Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) | 1. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has reconstituted the CAC to boost apprenticeship training. |
| Council Composition | 2. The new CAC has 54 members, an increase from 46 members in the previous council (March 2019). |
| Chairperson | 3. MSDE Minister Jayant Chaudhary will chair the reconstituted CAC. |
| Vice-Chairperson | 4. Rajya Sabha member Vikramjit Singh Sahney will be the vice-chairman. |
| Public Sector Undertakings Represented | 5. Six PSUs are represented in the new CAC: BHEL, IOC, South Eastern Coalfields, Neyveli Lignite Corporation, Bharat Electronics, and HAL. |
| Private Sector Representation | 6. Major private companies like TATA Group, Maruti Suzuki, Reliance Industries, Toyota, and Indian Banks Association are also included. |
| Key Functions of CAC | 7. The CAC advises the government on implementing the Apprenticeship Act, 1961. |
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