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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 27, 2017 03:22 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Craig T. Staats |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Establishing On-the-Job Training Ratios |
| In the near future, I plan to re-introduce legislation from the 2015-2016 Legislative Session that would improve the flexibility and accessibility of training and hiring for thousands of industries by codifying access to a ratio of one supervisory journeyman for each apprentice. This effective on-the-job training system is already universally accessible to employers in thirty-nine other states and is the most efficient way to encourage a new generation of the skilled trade workforce. As a result of the Apprenticeship and Training Act, which was passed in 1961, the Department of Labor and Industry promulgated regulations that establish specific procedures for the training of apprentices in thousands of occupations, including manufacturing, corrections, and construction. Since the Act’s inception, however, these procedures do not mirror the Federal Department of Labor’s allowed ratio of one journeyman for each apprentice. For instance, Pennsylvania’s burdensome and antiquated regulatory environment currently requires almost 90 percent of the construction industry to devote four existing employees to the supervision of each new trainee, limiting access to training and crippling hiring in skilled trades. This overreaching regulation does nothing to improve workplace safety and slows wage growth by harnessing the ability to train skilled workers. My bill will rectify that inequality and allow employers across the Commonwealth to pair up new employees under a supervisory, experienced employee. Not only will this measure continue to ensure safety in the workplace, but it will reinvigorate an aging workforce and allow efficient training for our job creators. This bill will be identical to House Bill 1952 of the previous legislative session. I hope you will consider joining me in support of this legislation. |
Introduced as HB1066