Bill > H2085

This bill aims to increase apprenticeship opportunities in Massachusetts by requiring that public construction projects over $1 million gradually increase the percentage of work hours performed by apprentices. Specifically, the bill amends three different chapters of Massachusetts law (Chapters 149, 149A, and 30) to mandate that for projects exceeding $1 million, a percentage of total work hours must be performed by apprentices in state-approved training programs. The apprenticeship requirements will be phased in progressively: 6 months after the act's passage, 5% of project hours must be performed by apprentices; after one year, this increases to 10%; and after two years, the requirement rises to 15%. Apprentices must be part of "bona fide apprentice training programs" approved by the division of apprentice training in the executive office of labor and workforce development, and must comply with apprentice ratios established by trades license boards. The goal of the legislation is to provide more structured training opportunities for apprentices and ensure a skilled workforce in Massachusetts by gradually increasing apprentice participation in public construction projects.

Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2085