7. Summary and preliminary comparison with any existing or proposed federal regulation that is intended to address the activities to be regulated by the proposed rule:
At the federal level apprenticeship in the construction industry is governed by the Fitzgerald Act (50 Stats. 664; 29 U.S.C. 50), which authorizes the Secretary of Labor to formulate and promote the furtherance of labor standards necessary to safeguard the welfare of apprentices, to extend the application of such standards by encouraging the inclusion thereof in contracts of apprenticeship, to bring together employers and labor for the formulation of programs of apprenticeship, to cooperate with State agencies engaged in the formulation and promotion of standards of apprenticeship, and to cooperate with the National Youth Administration and with the Office of Education of the Department of the Interior. Under this authority the Department of Labor has promulgated Labor Standards for the Registration of Apprenticeship Programs (Title 29, CFR 29), as well as Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) in Apprenticeship (Title 29, CFR Part 30). The regulations provide a framework for the following: — Promoting apprenticeship programs and advancing the National Apprenticeship System
— Protecting the welfare of apprentices
— Providing consistency and accountability across the system to enhance program quality and performance
— Creating flexibility within the apprenticeship model and aligning it with the needs of a new generation of workers and a broad range of employers.
While existing federal regulations are designed to promote apprenticeship, they do not require contractors engaged in federal construction projects to participate in apprenticeship programs.
8. Anticipated economic impact of implementing the rule (note if the rule is likely to have a significant economic impact on small businesses):
Many larger general contractors that bid on state construction projects already have apprenticeship programs. While these larger companies may have to modify their programs to meet the specific requirements that arise from DOA’s rulemaking, they will have already factored the cost of an apprenticeship program into their business model.
In developing any rule, DOA will pursue ways to reduce the impact of any rule on small businesses in a manner to ensure that small businesses can continue to compete for state construction contracts pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 227.114(2). Additionally, expansion of apprenticeship programs so that there is a greater presence among small business will in turn ensure that small businesses are better positioned to enjoy the benefits of such a model, including the creation of a more stable workforce, reduced turnover, and improved recruitment.
Contact Person: Alexandra Arkin - 608-267-7877
