The US Department of Labor (US DOL) has issued a proposed rule to expand the apprenticeship model to new industries. Under the National Apprenticeship Act, the US DOL is seeking to establish a process for recognizing Standards Recognition Entities which in turn will recognize Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Programs. The Trump Administration, recognizing the existing skills gap, began to address this issue in 2017. In June 2017, President Trump signed an Executive Order expanding apprenticeships and established a Task Force on Apprenticeships. The final report of the Task Force included a recommendation to provide a new and flexible alternative to supplement the Agency’s registered apprenticeship program. In July 2018, the Department released a Training and Employment Notice 3-18 that outlined the contours of the Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Program and what would constitute high quality programs.
The proposal, once finalized, would establish a formal process for organizations to become DOL recognized Standards Recognition Entities, or SREs. Once recognized, SREs would work with employers and other entities, such as trade associations, to establish, recognize and monitor Industry Recognized programs that provide apprentices industry recognized credentials.
SGIA has long supported the creation of additional workforce development strategies and policies to help the industry address its recognized skills gaps. For more information on this effort, please contact govtaffairs@sgia.org.
The proposal, once finalized, would establish a formal process for organizations to become DOL recognized Standards Recognition Entities, or SREs. Once recognized, SREs would work with employers and other entities, such as trade associations, to establish, recognize and monitor Industry Recognized programs that provide apprentices industry recognized credentials.
SGIA has long supported the creation of additional workforce development strategies and policies to help the industry address its recognized skills gaps. For more information on this effort, please contact govtaffairs@sgia.org.