Code of Massachusetts Regulations
454 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR STANDARDS
Title 454 CMR 26.00 - Apprentice Standards
Section 26.04 - Standards for Apprentice Programs
Universal Citation: 454 MA Code of Regs 454.26
Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
(1) All registered apprentice programs must comply with the following standards:
(a) The program must have an organized,
written plan (program standards) embodying the terms and conditions of
employment, training, and supervision of one or more apprentices in an
apprenticeable occupation, as defined in
454 CMR 26.02, and
subscribed to by a sponsor who has undertaken to carry out the apprentice
training program.
(b) The program
standards must contain provisions that address:
1.The employment and training of the
apprentice in a skilled occupation. The apprentice shall be provided no less
than full time employment in the relevant field.
2.The term of apprenticeship, which for an
individual apprentice may be measured either through the completion of the
industry standard for on-the-job learning (time-based approach), the attainment
of competency (competency-based approach), or a blend of the time-based and
competency-based approaches (hybrid approach).
a.The time-based approach measures skill
acquisition through the individual apprentice's completion of at least 2,000
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. Programs
utilizing this approach must still require apprentices to complete an
on-the-job learning component of Registered Apprenticeship. The program
standards must address how on-the-job learning will be integrated into the
program, describe competencies, and identify an 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 apprenticeable occupation for which program standards are
registered is made by the program sponsor, subject to approval by the
Division.
3.The work
processes in which the apprentice will receive supervised work experience and
training on the job, and the allocation of the approximate amount of time to be
spent in each major process.
4.Organized instruction in technical subjects
related to the occupation. Approximately 150 hours for each year of
apprenticeship is recommended. This instruction in technical subjects may be
accomplished through classroom, occupational or industry courses, electronic
media, or other instruction approved by the Director. Correspondence course
testing will be conducted by a proctor as approved by the Division.
5.A progressively increasing schedule of
wages to be paid to the apprentice consistent with the skill acquired. The
entry wage must not be less than the minimum wage prescribed by the Fair Labor
Standards Act, where applicable, unless a higher wage is required by other
applicable Federal law, State law, respective regulations, or by collective
bargaining agreement. The sponsor must ensure that the apprentice will be paid
no less than an amount specified in a predetermined schedule of wage rates.
Such wage rates shall be expressed as a percentage of the established
journeyworker rate and shall progressively increase consistent with the level
of skill acquired by the apprentice for the duration of time that the
apprentice participates in the apprentice program. For construction
occupations, the apprentice's scale of wages shall not be less than the
progression steps identified on the Department's prevailing wage determinations
for M.G.L. c. 149 projects. The sponsor may adjust the apprentice payroll
amount for private jobs by setting the company journeyworker rate for private
work and maintaining the same wage progression rate.
6.Periodic review and evaluation of the
apprentice's performance on the job and in related instruction; and the
maintenance of appropriate progress records.
7.A numeric ratio of apprentices to
journeyworkers consistent with proper supervision, training, safety, and
continuity of employment, and applicable provisions in collective bargaining
agreements, except where such ratios are expressly prohibited by the collective
bargaining agreements. The ratios set forth by the Department will be the
minimum acceptable ratios. The ratio language must be specific and clearly
described as to its application to the job site, workforce, department or
plant. For construction occupations, ratios shall be those determined by the
Department and documented on the Department's prevailing wage determinations
for M.G.L. c. 149 projects.
8.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% of the length of the program, or one
year, whichever is shorter.
9.Adequate and safe equipment and facilities
for training and supervision, and safety training for apprentices on the job
and in related instruction.
10.The
minimum qualifications required by a sponsor for persons entering the
apprenticeship program, with an eligible starting age not younger than 16 years
old.
11.The placement of an
apprentice under a written Apprenticeship Agreement that meets the requirements
of
454 CMR
26.06. The agreement must directly, or by
reference, incorporate the standards of the program as part of the
agreement.
12.The granting of
advanced standing or credit for demonstrated competency, acquired experience,
training, or skills for all applicants equally, with commensurate wages for any
progression step so granted.
13.The
transfer of an apprentice between apprenticeship programs and/or within an
apprenticeship program must be based on agreement between the apprentice and
the affected apprenticeship committees or program sponsors, and must comply
with the following requirements:
a.The
transferring apprentice must be provided a transcript of related instruction
and on-the-job learning by the committee or program sponsor;
b.Transfer must be to the same occupation;
and
c.A new apprenticeship
agreement must be executed when the transfer occurs between program
sponsors.
14.Assurance
of qualified training personnel and adequate supervision on the job.
15.Recognition for successful completion of
apprenticeship evidenced by an appropriate certificate issued the
Division.
16.Program standards that
utilize the competency-based or hybrid approach for progression through an
apprenticeship and that choose to issue interim credentials must 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 particular interim credential. Further, interim credentials must 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.
17.Identification of
the Division, including address, telephone number and URL address.
18.Provision for the registration,
cancellation, and/or deregistration of the program; and for the prompt
submission of any program standard modification or amendment to the Division
for approval.
19.Provision for
registration of apprenticeship agreements, modifications, and amendments;
notice to the Division of persons who have successfully completed
apprenticeship programs; and notice of transfers, suspensions, and
cancellations of apprenticeship agreements and a statement of the reasons
therefore.
20.Authority for the
cancellation of an apprenticeship agreement during the probationary period by
either party without stated cause; cancellation during the probationary period
will not have an adverse impact on the sponsor's completion rate.
21.Compliance with requirements contained in
the Division's plan for equal opportunity in apprenticeship adopted under 29
CFR 30 and approved by the Department. The apprenticeship standards must also
include a statement that the program will be conducted, operated and
administered in conformity with the Division's plan for equal opportunity in
apprenticeship.
22.Contact
information (name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address if applicable)
for the appropriate individual with authority under the program to receive,
process and make disposition of complaints.
23.Recording and maintenance of all records
concerning apprenticeship as required by the Division.
24.The journeyworker rate used for
establishing the apprentice's wage schedule shall be stated in dollars and
cents and shall be reviewed annually and, if appropriate, re-adjusted.
(2) Every apprenticeship instructor must:
(a) Meet the
Commonwealth Department of Education's requirements for a vocational-technical
instructor, or be a subject matter expert, which is an individual, such as a
journeyworker, who is recognized within an industry as having expertise in a
specific occupation; and
(b) Have
training in teaching techniques and adult learning styles, which may occur
before or after the apprenticeship instructor has started to provide the
related technical instruction.
(3) The Division must be notified within 45 days of persons who have successfully completed apprenticeship programs; and of transfers, suspensions, and cancellations of apprenticeship agreements and a statement of the reasons therefore.
(4) Operating apprenticeship programs, when approved by the Division, are accorded registration evidenced by a Certificate of Registration except in construction occupations where sponsor verifications are required.
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