Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
(a)
An acceptable affirmative action plan shall include adequate provision for
outreach and positive recruitment that would reasonably be expected to increase
minority and female participation in apprenticeship by expanding the
opportunity of minorities and women to become eligible for apprenticeship
selection. In order to achieve these objectives, sponsors shall undertake
activities such as those listed in subsection (b). It is not contemplated that
each sponsor necessarily will include all of 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
obligation under this chapter.
(b)
The affirmative action plan shall set forth the specific steps the sponsor
intends to take in the following areas:
(1)
Dissemination of information concerning the nature of apprenticeship,
availability of apprenticeship, opportunities, sources of apprenticeship
applications and the equal opportunity policy of the sponsor. For programs
accepting applications only at specified intervals, such information shall be
disseminated at least 30 days in advance of the earliest date for application
at each interval. 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 Council, local schools,
employment service offices, women's centers, public or private rehabilitation
centers and community organizations which can effectively reach minorities and
women, and published in newspapers which are circulated in the minority
community and among women, as well as the general areas in which the program
sponsor operates.
(2) Participation
in annual workshops conducted by employment service agencies for the purpose of
familiarizing school, employment service, and other appropriate personnel with
the apprenticeship system and current opportunities therein.
(3) Cooperation with local school boards 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 equal opportunity policy of the spon- sor in such a manner
as to foster understanding, acceptance, and support among the sponsor's various
officers, supervisors, employes, 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 outreach for the positive recruitment and preparation of
potential applicants for apprenticeships. 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.
In initiating and conducting such programs, the sponsor may be required to work
with other sponsors and appropriate community organizations. The sponsor shall
also initiate programs to prepare women and encourage women to enter
traditionally male programs.
(6) In
order to encourage the establishment and utilization of programs of
preapprenticeship, 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 journeymen to assist in
the implementation of the affirmative action program of the sponsor.
(8) Granting advance standing or credit on
the basis of previously acquired experience, training, skills or aptitude for
all applicants equally.
(9)
Admission to apprenticeship programs of persons whose age exceeds the maximum
age for admission to the program, where such action is necessary to assist the
sponsor in achieving its affirmative action obligations.
(10) Such other action as to ensure that the
recruitment, selection, employment, and training of apprentices during
apprenticeship shall be without discrimination because of race, color,
religion, national origin, sex or non-job-related disability. This may include
general publication of apprenticeship opportunities and advantages in
advertisements, industry reports, articles, and the like; use of present
minority and female apprentices and journeypersons as recruiters; career
counseling; periodic auditing of affirmative action programs and activities;
and development of reasonable procedures between the sponsor and employers of
apprentices to ensure that equal employment opportunity is being granted
including reporting systems, on site reviews, briefing sessions, and the like.
The affirmative action program shall set forth the specific steps the sponsor
intends to take in the above areas under this section.
This section cited in 34 Pa. Code §
81.42 (relating to public notice
of eligibility pools).
