Bill > S1163

This bill aims to provide opportunities for apprentices to complete their training and ensure a skilled workforce in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The key provisions of the bill are: 1. For construction projects over $1 million, a certain percentage of the total hours worked by hourly wage employees directly employed on the project site and subject to prevailing wage requirements must be performed by apprentices in approved apprenticeship programs. The apprenticeship requirement starts at 5% of total hours six months after the bill's passage, increases to 10% after one year, and reaches 15% after two years. 2. This apprenticeship requirement applies to projects under Chapters 149, 149A, and 30 of the Massachusetts General Laws, which cover public construction projects. 3. The apprenticeship programs must be approved by the Division of Apprentice Training in the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and comply with any applicable apprenticeship ratios established by trade licensing boards. The goal of the bill is to promote the development of a skilled workforce in Massachusetts through increased participation in apprenticeship programs for public construction projects.