The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) believes the proposed rule changes for the National Apprenticeship System Enhancements will exacerbate the construction labor shortage. The proposed rule would make “significant and controversial revisions” to the National Apprenticeship System, according to the ABC.
“ABC supports government-related apprenticeship programs and offers more than 450 such education programs across the country as part of its all-of-the above approach to meet the workforce needs of the construction industry,” Ben Brubeck, ABC vice president of regulatory, labor, and state affairs, said in a prepared statement. “ABC is thoroughly reviewing the Biden Department of Labor’s overreaching 779-page proposal and is concerned that aspects of the proposed rule will limit the number of apprentices and employers participating in GRAPs (government-registered apprenticeship programs).”
The proposed rule would include the following enhancements, according to the Department of Labor: strengthening of labor standards and worker protections; better defining roles for state apprenticeship agencies and stakeholders within the National Apprenticeship System; promoting apprenticeship pathways by expanding performance and data requirements; and creating a student-centric model of registered apprenticeship designed to make them more seamless for full-time high school and community college students
“Equity and job quality have marked the most successful registered apprenticeship programs for workers and employers alike. This proposed rule codifies the Department of Labor’s strong commitment to these principles,” explained Julie Su, acting secretary of labor. “Importantly, the proposed changes will also provide strong worker protections, improved employer experiences, and greater clarity about the roles of federal and state governments and their partners in the National Apprenticeship System.”
The ABC said the proposal will discourage participating in the GRAP system by adding more bureaucracy and paperwork requirements “while also eliminating flexible competency-based approaches to workforce development.”
“As currently written, the Biden [administration's] proposal threatens to undermine significant investments recently made by taxpayers in infrastructure, clean energy, and manufacturing projects procured by government and private owners," Brubeck said.
