What are Employment Exchanges?

An Employment Exchange is a government establishment which offers employment support to the unemployed youth on the basis of their educational qualification and work experience. The Department of Employment and Training, Karnataka looks after Employment Exchanges in the State including the offices in Bengaluru.

Exchanges act as a bridge between the job seekers and the employers. They inform about the vacancies in public and private sector to the job seekers and pass on the information/data of the job seekers to the employers – both government and private – which the employers may use whenever there is a vacancy.

What is the role of Employment Exchanges in helping a unemployed youth find a job?

As per the Enforcement of Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification of Vacancies) Act, 1959, all establishments in Public Sector and establishments in private Sector excluding agriculture, where 25 or more persons are employed come within the purview of the Act. These establishments are required to notify all vacancies (other than those exempted) to the appropriate Employment Exchange as notified in the official Gazette by the State Government.

This Act will not apply to vacancies in any employment in agriculture (including horticulture), domestic service, unskilled office work , employment connected with the staff of parliament, and if the total duration of the vacancies are less than three months.

How to register at Employment Exchange? What is the procedure?

The applicants should fill up the registration form available at the Employment Exchange offices and submit it along with following documents:

(1) Copies of marks cards and other testimonials in support of educational attainments.

(2) Two copies of passport size photographs.

(3) Caste certificate / cast-cum-income certificate who wish to claim reservation.

Once the documents are verified by the concerned officers, an Employment Registration card bearing the Employment Registration number will be issued to the applicant.

What is the age criteria for application?

Any Indian citizen above the age of 16 can register with Employment Exchanges. There is no upper limit for age to register.

Are only unemployed people allowed to register?

Not really. Even those already having jobs in private sector can apply. But those with government jobs are not eligible to apply. Those in private sector looking for a better job opportunity can always register with Employment Exchanges.

Is it necessary to renew the registration with Employment Exchange?

Yes, the validity of employment registration card is three years, afterwhich one should renew it either through post or in person.

Can I register online?

Employment Exchanges were providing online registration service earlier. The service was stopped one and a half year ago. The department officials say that the online registration process will be made available again through National Career Service.

Will registering with Employment Exchanges really help me get a job?

Employment Exchanges do not majorly help majority of the applicants to get jobs. However, the officers at the Employment Exchanges say that though jobs are available and are offered in private sector, candidates do not opt for due to low salary offered by the companies.

Although Employment Exchanges were mainly created to notify and process applications for government jobs, it is not the same anymore. This is because, the vacancy announcement in government sector which was earlier made through Employment Exchanges only, are now made through newspaper advertisements too. Therefore the seniority criteria which the Employment Exchanges used to follow in processing the applications for government jobs has lost its significance.

Due to this, Employment Exchanges are now largely concentrating on private sector jobs by providing a platform to private companies and job seekers.

Where is the Employment Exchange office in Bengaluru?

The office is on the third floor of Janatha Bazaar building in Kempe Gowda Road, Bengaluru.

What other services can I avail at Employment Exchanges?

Employment Exchanges offer vocational guidance and Employment Market Information Programme. For more information check this link. The quality of service that Employment Exchanges deliver varies from office to office and depends on the kind of officers working there.

What is the official website of Employment Exchanges?

The website is: http://emptrg.kar.nic.in/employment-wing.htm