(a) A sponsor's
commitment to equal opportunity in the recruitment, selection, employment, and
training of apprentices shall include the adoption of a written affirmative
action plan.
(b) Affirmative action
is not mere passive nondiscrimination. It includes procedures, methods, and
programs for the identification, positive recruitment, training, and motivation
of present and potential minority and female apprentices, including the
establishment of goals and timetables. It is action which will equalize
opportunity in apprenticeship so as to allow full utilization of the work
potential of minorities and women. The overall result to be sought is equal
opportunity in apprenticeship for· all individuals participating in or seeking
entrance to the nation's labor force.
(c) An acceptable affirmative action plan
shall also include adequate provision for outreach and positive recruitment
that would reasonably be expected to increase the participation of minorities
and women in apprenticeship by expanding their opportunities of becoming
eligible for apprenticeship selection. In order to achieve these objectives,
sponsors shall undertake activities such as those listed below. It is not
contemplated that each sponsor necessarily will include all the listed
activities in its affirmative action program. The scope of the affirmative
action program will depend on all the circumstances including the size and type
of the program and its resources. However, the sponsor shall be required to
undertake a significant number of appropriate activities in order to enable it
to( meet its obligations under this chapter. The affirmative action plan shall
set forth the specific steps the sponsor intends to take in the areas listed
below:
(1) Dissemination of information
concerning the nature of the apprenticeship, requirements for admission to
apprenticeship, availability of apprenticeship opportunities, sources of
apprenticeship applications, and the equal opportunity policy of the sponsor.
For programs customarily receiving applications throughout the year, such
information shall be regularly disseminated but not less than semiannually.
Such information shall be given to the department, local schools, employment
service offices, women's centers, outreach programs, and community
organizations which can effectively reach minorities and women, and shall be
published in newspapers which are circulated in the minority community and in
the general areas in which the program sponsor operates;
(2) Participation in workshops that
familiarize school, employment service, and other appropriate personnel with
the apprenticeship system and current opportunities therein;
(3) Cooperation with the state department of
education and vocational education systems to develop programs for preparing
students to meet the standards and criteria required to qualify for entry into
apprenticeship programs;
(4)
Internal communication of the sponsor's equal opportunity policy in such a
manner as to foster understanding, acceptance, and support among the sponsor's
various officers, supervisors, employees, and members and to encourage such
persons to take the necessary action to aid the sponsor in meeting its
obligations under this chapter;
(5)
Engaging in programs such as out reach for the positive recruitment and
preparation of potential applicants for apprenticeship; where appropriate and
feasible, such programs shall provide for pretesting experience and training.
If no such programs are in existence, the sponsor shall seek to initiate these·
programs, or, when available, to obtain financial assistance from the USDOL. In
initiating and conducting these programs, the sponsor may be required to work
with other sponsors and appropriate community organizations. The sponsor shall
also initiate programs to encourage and prepare women to enter traditionally
male programs;
(6) Encouraging the
establishment and utilization of programs of pre apprenticeship; preparatory
trade training, or others designed to afford related work experience or to
prepare candidates for apprenticeship. A sponsor shall make appropriate
provision in its affirmative action plan to assure that those who complete such
programs are afforded full and equal opportunity for admission into the
apprenticeship program;
(7)
Utilization of journey workers to assist-in the implementation of the sponsor's
affirmative action program;
(8)
Granting advance standing or credit on the basis of previously acquired
experience, training, skills, or aptitude for all applicants equally;
and
(9) Other appropriate. action
to ensure that the recruitment, selection, employment, and training of
apprentices during apprenticeship shall be without discrimination on the basis
of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, physical handicap, marital
status or arrest and court record.
