MASONRY CONTRACTORS OF NEW JERSEY, ICE, IMI and OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS SAID NO TO IRAPs for the CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY!
The U.S. DOL is revising title 29 CFR part 29, Labor Standards for the Registration of Apprenticeship Programs, and proposed a new rule to expand apprenticeships in America to establish guidelines for third parties to certify IRAPs, Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Programs. IRAPs would allow industry organizations rather than the DOL to oversee these programs and take over much of the standard-setting that is currently done by the DOL and its state agencies.
IRAPS can pose a serious threat to the construction industry and their long-standing, successful DOL Registered Apprenticeship Programs. Long-held labor standards have defined existing DOL Registered Apprenticeship Programs, which are nationally credentialed, well known for quality skills development and safety training by qualified and certified instructors, and have clearly defined progressive wage increases based on experience and skill sets, as well as pensions and health care.
While the intention of IRAPs is to create an additional pathway to quality apprenticeship programs and is NOT INTENDED to replace the existing DOL Registered Apprenticeship system in the construction industry, open shop associations such as the ABC and AGC are fighting to include our industry in the new rule.
Masonry Contractors of New Jersey, ICE, IMI and our union partners remain dedicated to ensure our industry is exempt permanently. We and our members provided comments to the recent Call to Action to protect our already established Registered Apprenticeship Programs. Close to 326,000 comments were received regarding IRAPs and it was encouraging to see the amount of those that supported our industry remaining exempt from the IRAP rules. A decision on the proposed rule issued by the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) may take several months or more but we will continue to show support of our industry’s existing Registered Apprenticeship Programs.
*Video message on IRAPs from the President of Masonry Contractors of New Jersey and ICE, Michael Schmerbeck
*Video message on IRAPs from BAC President James Boland
Click here to read more about the proposed rule issued by the ETA on the regulations.gov website
Click here for more informtion about IRAPs from IMI