STATE HOUSE (Boston, Mass.) – Elevating and modernizing the state’s registered apprenticeship programs is the goal of new legislation filed by Rep. Josh Cutler.
“Apprenticeships offer a tried and tested career pathway to develop our future workforce,” said Rep. Cutler. “Employers win by tapping into new pools of qualified workers and apprentices get hands-on work experience, classroom instruction, and a certificate –– not to mention a paycheck. Promoting registered apprenticeship programs will pay big dividends for the Commonwealth’s workforce.”
Rep. Cutler’s Apprenticeship Standards Reform bill makes changes to the Division of Apprentice Standards, which currently sits under the Department of Labor Standards in the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. This bill will change the division to its own Department of Apprenticeship Standards, sitting directly under EOLWD.
The legislation also:
• Allows greater flexibility for industries underrepresented in registered apprenticeship programs while maintaining the 2,000-hour model set for existing, successfull programs.
• Expands the Apprenticeship Council and includes membership from the Mass. Building Trades and the Mass. Apprenticeship Network. Additionally, the council is now required to meet at least quarterly.
• Updates current law to allow for electronic apprenticeship agreements and apprentice ID cards.
• Allows the secretary of the executive office of labor and workforce development to expand industries eligible for apprenticeship tax credits.
An Act relative to apprenticeship standards has been filed and assigned House docket 133.
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