In pursuance of the recommendations of the Scientific Manpower Committee made about five decades ago, the erstwhile Ministry of Education, Government of India, initiated a 'Practical Training Stipendiary Scheme' with the object of providing Practical Training to the fresh Engineering Graduates and Diploma Holders in Engineering. As the demand for training increased exponentially, the Government of India set up four Regional Boards of Apprenticeship/Practical Training at Chennai, Kanpur, Mumbai and Kolkata in the year 1969, as "Autonomous Bodies" having representations from the Industrial Associations and organizations, state Governments and other professional bodies. After having set up the Regional Boards, the PTS Scheme was transferred to four Regional Boards, entrusting the direct responsibility and autonomy in the administration of the Scheme.

• To fulfill/match, any gap, in so far as the practical/ hands on experience of fresh graduate engineers, diploma holders and +2 vocational pass outs are concerned which they do not acquire during their regular studies under normal practice.
• To establish liaison between the industries and technical institutions to improve the quality of technical education and develop the human resource for the industries.
• To secure facilities for training in different establishments, both Private and Public sector organizations for the products of technical institutions.
• To make selections for placement among the applicants who wish to undergo training.
• To make out programme of training for the trainees in consultations with them and the industries and other agencies concerned.
• To arrange for dissemination of information of various aspects of practical training through lectures, films and other media of communications.
• To award certificates as may be appropriate to those who successfully completed the training course.
• To enhance technical competency to improve confidence level of qualified youth.