The Department of Labor (DOL) regulates apprenticeships primarily through its Office of Apprenticeship (OA) and the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937. The National Apprenticeship Act (NAA) establishes the framework for apprenticeship programs in the United States. It empowers the Secretary of Labor to formulate and promote the furtherance of labor standards necessary to safeguard the welfare of apprentices, including the development of standards of apprenticeship, certification of apprenticeship programs, and the recognition of state apprenticeship agencies.
The Office of Apprenticeship (OA) is the branch of the DOL responsible for overseeing the national apprenticeship system. It works with employers, labor unions, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to develop and maintain quality apprenticeship programs. The OA sets standards for apprenticeship programs and ensures they comply with federal regulations.
The DOL sets standards for apprenticeship programs, including requirements for on-the-job training, related instruction, and wages. Employers seeking to establish apprenticeship programs must register them with the OA or a recognized state apprenticeship agency. Registration involves submitting program standards and undergoing review to ensure compliance with federal guidelines. The OA oversees the certification of apprenticeship programs. Once a program meets the required standards, apprentices who complete the program are awarded a nationally recognized credential. Certification demonstrates that the apprentice has received quality training and is proficient in their chosen occupation.
Overall, the DOL plays a crucial role in regulating apprenticeships to ensure they meet high-quality standards and provide valuable training opportunities for individuals seeking to enter the workforce. HR professionals at many small businesses rely on apprenticeships to funnel in needed workforce talent. This is especially true in the construction and skilled trades sectors.
Apprenticeship refers to a work-based learning model in which apprentices receive supervised on-the-job training alongside job-related education, all while earning an income. In December 2023, the Department of Labor (DOL), responsible for registering and validating apprenticeships, introduced a proposal to modernize regulations governing registered apprenticeships.
The DOL’s proposed rule seeks to modernize regulations governing registered apprenticeships by incorporating several enhancements. These include enhancing labor standards and economic mobility for program participants. Another change would include strengthening worker protections by enhancing the portability of skills and training, aligning more closely with postsecondary education, and providing improved performance data.
By promoting apprenticeship pathways, the proposed rule would enhance quality, accountability, objectivity, transparency, and program outcomes, as well as, addressing barriers and promoting equal access and success for historically underserved communities (women, young people, people of color, etc.). Another goal of the proposed rule is to clearly establish critical pipelines to registered apprenticeship programs, such as registered career and technical education (CTE) apprenticeships. Also, the proposed rule would introduce a student-centered model of Registered Apprenticeship aimed at facilitating enrollment for full-time students. Overall, the rule seeks to bolster worker protections, enhance employer experiences, and provide greater clarity and objectivity to the system as a whole.