SMACNA sent a letter for inclusion into the record for a hearing titled “The Power of Apprenticeships: Faster, Better Paths to Prosperous Jobs and Less Waste in Higher Education, ” which was being held by the House Oversight Committee’s Subcommittee for Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs.
In their letter, SMACNA recommended that several critical updates be made to federal standards for oversight of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPS). These recommendations include:
- Demonstrating Financial Sustainability
- Upgrading Safety and Health Standards in Hazardous Industries
- Preventing Downgrading of Area Training Standards
- Ensuring that RAPs Provide Broad-Based Training in a Marketable Occupation
- Drafting Corrective Action Plans to Address Deficiencies in Past Performance
- Preventing Evasion of Responsibility for Poor Past Performance
- Coordinating with the Wage and Hour Division of the US DOL to Prevent the Exploitation of Apprentices
- Blocking Debarred or Suspended Sponsors and Interested Parties from Registering New RAPs
- Promoting Affirmative Action and Diversity
Take a moment to read SMACNA’s letter to letter to the Subcommittee, as well as the cover letter included as part of SMACNA's testimony.
