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Labor, labor, labor. Did you miss this in December? The U.S. DOL proposed a new rule that seeks to modernize the registered apprenticeship program, including programming that should make it easier for high school and community college students to enroll. Read more via Construction Dive. #Construction

Got Questions? Too Bad. No Answers. The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed sweeping changes to the rules governing registered apprenticeship. While the document explaining the proposed changes is 779 pages long, it fails to answer some very fundamental details regarding the planned implementation of these changes. The "Commenter's Checklist" (available here https://lnkd.in/d2YZ2bfB ) specifies that the agency can answer questions about the proposed rules. On January 29, the AOA submitted a set of 6 clarifying questions to the agency and was given multiple written indications over the course of the intervening weeks that the questions were going to be answered. On March 1, OA Director John Ladd called to indicate they would NOT be answering the questions. To John's credit, the call was a professional courtesy and nothing he was obliged to do, but that doesn't change the fact the Department is refusing to answer the questions with no clear explanation of why. Since the NPRM rules clearly state that the public can ask questions about the rules during the comment period, the lack of response to fundamental questions about the rules leaves one to wonder if: a) The answers do not exist and the Department has not sufficiently thought through the details of implementing these new rules. b) The answers do exist, but they would be unpalatable to the public and might generate negative comments on the proposed rules. c) The Department simply feels no obligation to provide the answers. d) All of the above. The questions will be posted individually with discussion over the next few days. In the meantime, you are encouraged to review the proposed rule changes and provide public comment on them here: https://lnkd.in/d2YZ2bfB NASTAD - National Association of State and Territorial Apprenticeship Directors

Today marks the beginning of a legislative journey with the passage of Senate Bill 24-143 in the Senate Education Committee. SB 24-143, sponsored by Senators James Coleman Coleman and Rachel Zenzinger and Representative Leslie Herod, calls for the use of an international classification system for apprenticeships and implements the state's non-degree quality credential framework. The bill paves the way for a more equitable and informed educational and workforce development landscape, recognizing the diverse pathways to career success beyond traditional degree programs. At today's testimony, CareerWise founder and CEO Noel Ginsburg said, "[The bill] provides value and a framework that when you're building a system and not just a program is essential. The goal of this framework is to ensure that short-term, non-degree programs incorporate quality, stackability, and value. Credentials of value have currency and are recognized by businesses. There are a lot of good programs that exist here in Colorado that exist around the workforce and by having a framework like this, it enables people to understand where they fit and head toward a common outcome. Framework matters so there is transparency for students to know that what they're working towards has value in the industry." Members from Pinnacol Assurance, Colorado Department of Higher Education, Colorado Community College System, and Colorado Succeeds were also present at today's testimony voicing support for the bill and answering clarifying questions from the committee. #CoLeg #youthapprenticeship

#Pennsylvania needs more economic opportunities and a new report from the Keystone Research Center and Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center showed federal investments in climate and infrastructure projects would help grow a skilled construction workforce. Diana Polson, senior policy analyst at the center, said the report revealed federal money would create thousands of trade jobs through expanding union construction apprenticeships leading to quality careers, as electricians, operating engineers, carpenters, and laborers. "In Pennsylvania, for example, these apprenticeships train workers for jobs that pay more than most college-educated workers earn, and 61% more than the average worker in Pennsylvania," Polson pointed out. "Significantly, this training comes without any student debt." Polson added Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to use 3% of the federal funds from recently signed climate and infrastructure laws to expand workforce development and apprenticeships. Shapiro's 2023-24 budget includes $6 million for the effort. Polson noted President Joe Biden's Good Jobs Initiative seeks to embed job quality and equity incentives into the federal funding, to make sure apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeships benefit underserved communities. She called it a huge win all around, for the state, climate, for those communities, and taxpayers. "We had shared this in the report, research has shown that for every dollar invested in apprenticeship $35 is returned to the government in higher tax collections, or reduced expenditures on public assistance or unemployment over the career of an apprentice," Polson emphasized. "These are huge returns on investments." Keystone Research Center said the resources will lead to high-wage union construction careers. The center is holding a webinar today at 1 p.m. on construction apprenticeship programs in coal country, in Pennsylvania, #Ohio, #WestVirginia, and #Kentucky. #unionjobs #apprenticeships Disclosure: The Keystone Research Center contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy and Priorities, and Livable Wages/Working Families. 

Did you miss this in December? The U.S. DOL proposed a new rule that seeks to modernize the registered apprenticeship program, including programming that should make it easier for high school and community college students to enroll. Read more via Construction Dive. #Construction

Did you miss this in December? The U.S. DOL proposed a new rule that seeks to modernize the registered apprenticeship program, including programming that should make it easier for high school and community college students to enroll. Read more via Construction Dive. #Construction

Did you miss this in December? The U.S. DOL proposed a new rule that seeks to modernize the registered apprenticeship program, including programming that should make it easier for high school and community college students to enroll. Read more via Construction Dive. #Construction

Did you miss this in December? The U.S. DOL proposed a new rule that seeks to modernize the registered apprenticeship program, including programming that should make it easier for high school and community college students to enroll. Read more via Construction Dive. #Construction

This has to be a priority to address, urgent action needed now. This article explores serious issues. For those engaged in trade skilled work, what are you doing to support a positive and safe workplace for Apprentices? Why isn’t this issue a national public conversation? https://lnkd.in/gk7iEaSH

What We’re Watching: HB 1439: This legislative session, the Colorado Chamber has played a lead role and supported several workforce initiatives to bolster the state’s talent pipeline. One important bill that aligns with the Colorado Chamber’s 2024 legislative agenda is HB 1439, which would create a tax credit and grant program to support apprenticeships across the state. Senior Vice President Meghan Dollar testified in support of the bill today in the House Finance Committee. Expanding apprenticeships was a key recommendation in the Colorado Chamber’s Education to Employment Alliance report, which was created in partnership with several education-focused groups to improve Colorado’s talent pipeline and engage with state leaders about needed reforms. “Our alliance put out a report with several recommendations regarding workforce and noted several challenges,” Dollar said in her testimony. “One challenge being that too many small- and medium-sized employers say they don’t have the resources to offer apprenticeships or experiential learning, whether in terms of finances or the human resources needed to recruit and oversee apprenticeships and internships.” The tax credit in HB 1439 would incentivize companies operating in new and emerging industries to expand their apprenticeship programs, which will open up new opportunities for Coloradans seeking employment in high-need fields. The amount of the tax credit is up to $6,300 for 6 months of employment plus up to $1,050 for each consecutive additional month of employment, for a maximum of up to $12,600 per apprentice per income tax year. The grant program created in the bill would allow the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to award funding to apprenticeship intermediaries that connect employers and potential apprentices. This is a critical need in the workforce development space to ensure employers offering career-connected learning opportunities are supported. Workforce challenges are a consistent concern in the Colorado Chamber’s annual business surveys. In our 2023 poll, it was among the top two issues identified by employers. | timnathchamber.com #Timnath #Colorado #TimnathChamber