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Bill Would Speed Up Apprenticeship Program Reviews

Legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on April 8 would help speed up federal approvals for apprenticeship programs that are getting bogged down in the bureaucracy.

“The Apprenticeship Enhancement Act of 2003,” H.R. 1660, would require local offices of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship, Training, Employer and Labor Services and state apprenticeship councils to approve or disapprove apprenticeship programs within 90 days after they apply for a decision. Written justification for the decision would also be required.

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In some cases, apprenticeship programs meeting federal standards have had to wait several years for authorization.

Apprenticeship programs provide job training on work sites and in the classroom for more than 400,000 registered apprentices.

“By expediting the process through which apprenticeship programs become federally approved, this bill would increase job training opportunities for thousands of Americans and help to ease the nationwide shortage of skilled workers,” said Jerry Howard, executive vice president and CEO of NAHB.

“Apprenticeship programs are a vital tool to help participants make a successful transition into the work force,” he added.

To read the full bill, click here, and enter H.R. 1660 in the box in the upper left hand corner.
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