Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 30: The Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela (PMNAM) was conducted on 18.09.2026 at all three Government ITIs of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands ITI Dollygunj, ITI Bakultala and ITI Arong (Car Nicobar) under the Skill India Mission of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), GoI with the objective of connecting aspirational youth with establishments for structured apprenticeship and on-the-job training.
At Government ITI Dollygunj, the programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and Saraswati Vandana, followed by the welcome address by the Venketesh.Ch. Principal/Deputy Apprenticeship Advisor. Shri Hemant Kumar, IAS, Secretary (Labour, Employment and Training), graced the occasion as chief guest and addressed the gathering on the importance of apprenticeship in developing industry-relevant skills and enhancing employability. Ms. Priyanka Kumari, Additional District Magistrate, South Andaman, and the President, Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) also addressed the gathering. Shri K. Srinivasa Rao, Labour Commissioner & DET, proposed the vote of thanks.
It was clarified that apprenticeship is not regular employment or appointment to a regular post. Apprenticeship is a structured course of training undertaken in an industry or establishment pursuant to a contract of apprenticeship and under the prescribed terms and conditions. Apprentices are engaged as trainees for the purpose of skill development and practical workplace learning, and not as regular employees/workers. During the apprenticeship training period, apprentices are paid the prescribed monthly stipend in accordance with the applicable provisions. The primary objective of apprenticeship is to provide practical exposure, develop occupational competencies and enhance the employability of youth. Establishments having 4 or more employees may engage apprentices within the prescribed range of 2.5% to 15% of their workforce, while establishments having 30 or more workers, including regular and contractual employees, are required to engage apprentices as per the applicable provisions of the Apprentices Act, 1961.
The Mela witnessed participation from 5 establishments and 27 aspirational candidates at Government ITI Arong, Car Nicobar, with the participating establishments expressing willingness to engage 14 apprentices. At Government ITI Bakultala, North & Middle Andaman, 11 establishments and around 46 aspirational candidates participated, with approximately 18 apprenticeship opportunities indicated by the participating establishments. At Government ITI Dollygunj, South Andaman, 24 establishments and around 128 aspirational candidates participated, with approximately 696 apprenticeship opportunities proposed by the participating establishments.
It is clarified that these figures represent proposed apprenticeship opportunities and not regular job vacancies. Actual engagement will take place after the establishments create the opportunities on the Apprenticeship India Portal and complete the prescribed selection and onboarding process.
The Department of Training appeals to all eligible Government and private establishments of the Islands to register on the Apprenticeship India Portal and create apprenticeship opportunities. Aspirational youth are also encouraged to register on the portal and avail themselves of apprenticeship training to gain practical skills, workplace experience and industry exposure.