Submit Apprenticeship Comments by August 26

All Minnesota Tradespeople, Friends, Families and Supporters are encouraged to submit comments to the US Department of Labor to protect Registered Apprenticeship Programs. The U.S. Department of Labor is taking comments until August 26 on a new form of Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs). The North America Building Trades Unions and Minnesota State Building and Construction Trades Council do not support IRAPs in the construction industry.

There are currently over 10,000 Registered Apprentices in Minnesota Construction Trades’ Registered Apprenticeship Programs.
Minnesota Building Trades Unions promote enforcement of labor standards laws on construction projects and we know first-hand the importance to the public of having highly trained and skilled construction workers in an industry where safety and quality is of paramount importance.
For decades, Registered Apprenticeship programs in the construction industry have delivered the highest quality and safety standards in the country. Registered Apprenticeship programs meet the requirements of prevailing wage laws to allow apprentice pay on public works projects; require safe, productive apprentice ratios and take pro-active steps to recruit minority, women and veteran apprentices.
Privately funded joint labor-management partnerships in the construction industry produce the best trained workforce in the world through Registered Apprenticeship programs. These programs have helped millions of American workers learn skills that lead to higher wages; provide life-long learning opportunities and build careers in construction.
The Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council urges the U.S. Department of Labor to recognize and maintain Registered Apprenticeship as the exclusive apprenticeship system for the construction industry.

How to submit a comment: