NECA Submits Regulatory Comments to DOL on Apprenticeship Modernization

On Monday, March 14 NECA submitted regulatory comments to the Department of Labor’s proposed rule on “National Apprenticeship System Enhancements.”

In its comments, NECA urged the Department of Labor to revise their proposed Career and Technical Education (CTE) apprenticeship program and rather focus on how to better uplift pre-apprenticeship programs. NECA cited multiple concerns with the newly proposed CTE apprenticeship program which may result in the deskilling or splintering of NECA’s traditional registered apprenticeship programs. This would cause severe safety concerns within the electrical industry and result in undercutting of competency skills needed for the construction industry.

Additionally, the comments note that the proposed rule’s ban on non-compete agreements could prohibit lawful, collectively bargained agreements in the construction industry that are negotiated for the benefit of workers, their unions, and signatory employees, including scholarship loan agreements. NECA supported the new definitions and guidelines surrounding National Guideline Standards in which NECA partners with the Electrical Training Alliance (ETA) and our local Joint-Apprenticeship Training Centers Across the Country.