The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration recently released guidance documents to assist employers with apprenticeship implementation. The agency aims to help employers obtain approval for apprenticeship programs within approximately 30 days of submitting applications, along with listed expectations for the role of state governments. Registered Apprenticeship programs are voluntary, federally recognized workforce development programs that combine paid on-the-job training with structured classroom instruction.
Employers can base their programs on three different models: competency-based, time-based, and hybrid.
Under the competency‑based model, workers advance by demonstrating the skills they have mastered. In the more traditional time‑based model, workers complete at least 2,000 hours of on‑the‑job training. Employers may propose adjustments to that timeframe, and the hybrid model allows workers to both complete the proposed required hours and demonstrate their acquired skills.
Employers are still subject to reviews and are still required to maintain organized instruction with a recommended, but not required, 144 hours of instruction for each year of apprenticeship.
It was also announced that there will be grant awards to help spark new apprenticeship programs within industries like artificial intelligence, healthcare, and information technology.
Any businesses needing advice on these or any employment matters may contact the experienced attorneys at MNK Law, APC at 562.362.6437, or info@mnklawyers.com.