Apprenticeship Agreement Template and How to Draft One (2026)

What is an apprenticeship agreement, and when do you need one? An apprenticeship agreement, formally a contract of apprenticeship, is the written agreement between an employer and a person being trained in a trade or skill (the apprentice). It records the trade, the period of training, the stipend and the duties of each side. In India, apprenticeship is governed by the Apprentices Act, 1961, which treats an apprentice as a trainee rather than a regular employee, so most labour-law protections on dismissal and retrenchment do not apply during the training. You need a written, registered apprenticeship agreement whenever you engage an apprentice under the Act, because the law requires the contract to be in writing and registered. Registration matters. A contract of apprenticeship under the Act has to be registered with the Apprenticeship Adviser, in practice through the national apprenticeship portal. An arrangement that calls itself an apprenticeship but is really ordinary employment, where the person does regular production work rather than structured training, can expose the employer to full employment obligations. Below is a template you can copy and adapt, followed by guidance on how to fill each field. This is general information, not legal advice. For a bond or a large intake, have the final document reviewed. ## Apprenticeship agreement template ```

CONTRACT OF APPRENTICESHIP Agreement No.: [NUMBER] Date: [DATE] Registered under the Apprentices Act, 1961 BETWEEN: Employer / Establishment: [NAME, address, registration no.] Apprentice: [NAME, age, address, qualification] Guardian (where the apprentice is a minor): [NAME, relationship] 1. TRADE AND TRAINING Designated / optional trade: [TRADE] Place of training: [LOCATION] The employer will train the apprentice in the above trade in accordance with the prescribed syllabus, standards and duration. 2. PERIOD OF APPRENTICESHIP Start date: [DATE] Duration: [MONTHS / YEARS as prescribed] Basic training period, if any: [DETAILS] 3. STIPEND Monthly stipend: [AMOUNT], not less than the minimum rate prescribed under the Act and the rules for the trade and year of training. Payment: by [DATE] of each month. 4. HOURS, LEAVE AND SAFETY Training hours per week: [as per rules]. Weekly off: [DAY]. Leave: casual, medical and other leave as per the rules. The employer provides a safe workplace, tools and protective equipment. 5. OBLIGATIONS OF THE EMPLOYER 5.1 Provide training per the prescribed syllabus and a qualified instructor or supervisor. 5.2 Pay the stipend in full and on time. 5.3 Not use the apprentice for work unrelated to the training. 5.4 Maintain records and submit returns as required. 6. OBLIGATIONS OF THE APPRENTICE 6.1 Learn the trade diligently and attend all training. 6.2 Follow lawful instructions and workplace rules. 6.3 Keep the employer's confidential information confidential. 7. NO GUARANTEE OF EMPLOYMENT Completion of the apprenticeship does not, by itself, create any obligation on the employer to offer employment, or on the apprentice to accept it, unless the parties agree separately in writing. 8. TERMINATION AND NOVATION Grounds and procedure for termination follow the Act and the rules. Where permitted, the contract may be novated to another employer so the apprentice can complete the training. 9. DISPUTES Any dispute arising from this contract is referred to the Apprenticeship Adviser as provided under the Act. SIGNED: For the Employer: ____________ Apprentice: ____________ Guardian (if minor): ____________ Date: ______ Registered with the Apprenticeship Adviser on: [DATE]