Bill > H4974

This bill, titled "Preparing Apprentices through Training, Hiring, and Skills in Massachusetts," aims to increase the use of apprentices on public works projects in Massachusetts. For public works projects costing over $10,000,000, it mandates that a minimum percentage of total hours worked by employees subject to prevailing wage laws must be performed by apprentices registered in approved training programs. This percentage will gradually increase from 5% one year after the bill's enactment to 15% four years later. The bill also requires construction managers, general contractors, and subcontractors bidding on such projects to maintain or participate in approved apprentice training programs, with limited exceptions for waivers if no qualified bidder is available. Furthermore, it expands the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Innovation Career Pathways program to include Building and Transportation sectors, creating a statewide template for high school students to prepare for careers in the built environment, including at least 100 hours of work-based learning. Finally, the bill establishes a special commission to study and make recommendations on apprenticeship programs across all industry sectors, with a focus on public works and construction, to improve their development, accessibility, quality, funding, and utilization.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development (Joint)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4974