§ 1117. Standards of apprenticeship

(a) An apprenticeship program shall conform to the standards identified in this section to be eligible for approval and registration by the Vermont Registered Apprenticeship Program.

(b) A program sponsor shall have an organized, written plan specifying program standards that embody the terms and conditions of employment, training, and supervision of one or more apprentices in an apprenticeable occupation and subscribed to by a sponsor who has undertaken to carry out the local apprentice training program.

(c) The written plan shall contain provisions that address the following:

(1) Apprenticeable occupation. The employment and training of the apprentices in an apprenticeable occupation.

(2) Term and modality of program. The term of the program measured using either a time-based approach, competency-based approach, or a hybrid approach.

(A) The time-based approach measures skill acquisition through the individual apprentice’s completion of a minimum of 2,000 hours to a maximum of 10,000 hours of on-the-job learning as described in a work process schedule.

(B) The competency-based approach measures skill acquisition through the individual apprentice’s successful demonstration of acquired skills and knowledge, as verified by the program sponsor, and cannot be less than one year in length. Programs utilizing this approach shall require apprentices to complete an on-the-job learning component. The program standards shall address how on-the-job learning will be integrated into the apprenticeship program, describe competencies, and identify appropriate means of testing and evaluation for such competencies.

(C) The hybrid approach measures the individual apprentice’s skill acquisition through a combination of specified minimum number of hours of on-the-job learning and the successful demonstration of competency as described in a work process schedule.

(D) The determination of the appropriate approach for the apprenticeship program standards is made by the program sponsor, subject to the approval by the Vermont Registered Apprenticeship Program.

(3) Work process. An outline of the work processes in which the apprentice will receive supervised work experience and on-the-job training and the allocation of the approximate amount of time to be spent in each major process;

(4) Related instruction and instructor requirements. An organized description of related instruction and technical subjects related to the occupation that shall include a minimum of 144 hours of related technical instruction for each year of apprenticeship. Instruction and technical subjects may be accomplished through media such as classroom, occupational or industry courses, electronic media, or other instruction approved by the Vermont Registered Apprenticeship Program. Every apprenticeship instructor shall:

(A) Meet the Agency of Education’s requirements for a career and technical education instructor or be a subject matter expert, which is an individual, such as a journey-worker, who is recognized within an industry as having expertise in a specific occupation.

(B) Have training in teaching techniques and adult learning styles. This training may occur not later than one year after the apprenticeship instructor has started to provide the related technical instruction.

(5) Wage schedule. A schedule of progressively increasing wages to be paid to an apprentice consistent with the skill acquired. The entry wage shall not be less than minimum wage or 50 percent of the journey-worker rate, whichever is highest, for adult registered apprentices, unless a higher wage is required by other applicable State or federal law, rule, or by collective bargaining agreement. For purposes of this subdivision, “journey-worker rate” is the rate of pay established by the sponsor for an apprentice who has met all of the skill, knowledge, and competency requirements for that occupation.

(6) Fringe benefits. Fringe benefits made available to nonapprentices within the company shall also be available to apprentices registered in the company’s apprenticeship program.

(7) Apprentice performance evaluation. Provision for periodic review and evaluation of the apprentice’s performance on the job and in related instruction and the maintenance of appropriate progress records, including maintaining records of hours worked for those apprentices in time-based programs.

(8) Ratio. Provision for a numeric ratio of apprentices to journey-workers consistent with proper supervision, training, safety, and continuity of employment and with applicable provisions in collective bargaining agreements, except where such ratios are expressly prohibited by the collective bargaining agreement. The ratio language shall be specific and clearly described as to its application to the job site, workforce, department, or plant. The ratio shall comply with the requirements set forth in this chapter. Any variances requested to the set ratio shall be approved in advance of the variance being applied to the apprenticeship program.

(9) Probationary period. A probationary period reasonable in relation to the full apprenticeship term, with full credit given for such period toward completion of apprenticeship. The probationary period cannot exceed 25 percent of the length of the apprenticeship program, or one year, whichever is shorter.

(10) Equipment and facilities. Provision for adequate and safe equipment and facilities for training and supervision, and safety training for apprentices on the job and in related instruction.

(11) Minimum qualifications. Facially neutral, minimum qualifications required by the sponsor for persons entering the apprenticeship program, with an eligible starting age of not less than 16 years of age, or 18 years of age if required by State or federal laws or regulations.

(12) Placement. Provision for the placement of an apprentice under a written apprenticeship agreement that meets the requirements of this chapter and 29 C.F.R., § 29.7, is approved by the Vermont Registered Apprenticeship Program, and directly, or by reference, incorporates the standards of the apprenticeship program as part of the agreement.

(13) Registration cards. Provision that identifies the need for a card to be produced that confirms the registration status of an apprentice in an approved occupation.

(14) Advanced Standing. Provision for the granting of advanced standing or credit for demonstrated competency, acquired experience, training, or skills, that shall be applied to all applicants equally with commensurate wages for any progression step so granted.

(15) Transfer. Provision for transfer of an apprentice between apprenticeship programs and within an apprenticeship program. Such a transfer shall be based on agreement between the apprentice and the affected apprenticeship committees or program sponsors, and shall comply with the following requirements:

(A) the transferring apprentice shall be provided a transcript of related instruction and on-the-job learning by the program sponsor;

(B) the transfer shall be to the same occupation; and

(C) a new apprenticeship agreement shall be executed when the transfer occurs between program sponsors.

(16) Qualified training personnel. Assurance of qualified training personnel and adequate supervision on the job.

(17) Completion. Provision for recognition for successful completion of apprenticeship evidenced by an appropriate certificate issued by the Vermont Registered Apprenticeship Program.

(18) Interim and stackable credentials. Apprenticeship program standards that utilize the competency-based or hybrid approach for progression through an apprenticeship and that choose to issue interim credentials shall clearly identify the interim credentials, demonstrate how these credentials link to the components of the apprenticeable occupation, and establish the process for assessing an individual apprentice’s demonstration of competency associated with the interim credential. Further, interim credentials shall only be issued for recognized components of an apprenticeable occupation thereby linking interim credentials specifically to the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with those components of the apprenticeable occupation.

(19) Registration agency. Identification of the Vermont Department of Labor as the registration agency.

(20) Program modifications. Provision for the registration, cancellation, and deregistration of the apprenticeship program and for the prompt submission of any program standard modification or amendment to the Vermont Registered Apprenticeship Program for approval.

(21) Registering apprentices. Provision for apprenticeship agreements, modifications, and amendments, notice to the Vermont Registered Apprenticeship Program of persons who have successfully completed apprenticeship programs within 45 days of completion of all requirements, and notice of transfers, suspensions, and cancellations of apprenticeship agreements and a statement of the reasons therefore.

(22) Cancellation. Provision for the authority to cancel an apprenticeship agreement during the probationary period by either party without cause.

(23) Equal Employment Opportunity. Provision for compliance with 29 C.F.R. part 30, including the equal opportunity pledge prescribed in 29 C.F.R. § 30.3(c); an affirmative action program complying with 29 C.F.R. § 30.4 and a method for the selection of apprentices complying with 29 C.F.R. § 30.10, or compliance with parallel requirements contained in the Department’s State Plan for Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship adopted under 29 C.F.R. part 30 and approved by federal Office of Apprenticeship. The apprenticeship standards shall also include a statement that the program will be conducted, operated, and administered in conformity with applicable provisions of 29 C.F.R. part 30, as amended, or if applicable the State Plan for Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship.

(24) Contact information. The name, physical address, telephone number, and e-mail address for the appropriate individual with authority under the apprenticeship program to receive, process, and make disposition of complaints.

(25) Recordkeeping. Provision for recording and maintenance of all records concerning apprenticeship as may be required by the Vermont Registered Apprenticeship Program and other applicable law. (Added 2023, No. 55, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023.)