Anyone paying attention knows very well that the manufacturing community of Michigan’s Great Southwest is increasingly relying on filling the skilled trades gap through critical apprenticeship programming with Lake Michigan College and other institutions of higher learning, yet the federal government is tap-dancing with dramatic changes that could derail the entire apprenticeship system or render it far less than effective.
Fortunately, Michigan’s U.S. Senators and the state’s Attorney General Dana Nessel are joining the growing battle to protect the system and preserve it for future workers throughout the state.
U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow are urging the Labor Department to rescind its recent proposal that would diminish Michigan’s and other successful registered apprenticeship programs. The Senators joined a number of their colleagues in a letter to Acting Labor Secretary Patrick Pizzella requesting he reverse the Department’s decision to form “industry-recognized apprenticeship programs” (IRAPs), which would not provide recipients the same benefits and protections as long-established registered apprenticeships.
In writing to the Department of Labor, our Senators say, “Rather than invest federal taxpayer dollars in a duplicative, less rigorous, and unproven model of workforce training with little to no accountability, the Department and the Trump Administration should work with Congress and stakeholders to strengthen and modernize the registered apprenticeship system to build more pathways for workers to enter middle class jobs.” They added, “The Department’s proposal is yet one more attempt to undermine the Nation’s registered apprenticeship system, which has existed for 80 years and enjoys broad support from Congress, workers, and industry alike.”
Meanwhile, Attorney General Nessel has joined 12 other Attorneys General urging the Department of Labor to strengthen protections for apprentices as well.
To protect the integrity of Michigan apprenticeship programs and ensure adequate training for all apprentices, Nessel has joined her colleagues in submitting comments to the U.S. Department of Labor urging them to revise a proposed apprenticeship rule to strengthen protections for apprentices.
Nessel points out that, “Apprenticeships have long been a staple in our state’s economy and a driving force behind sustainable paychecks for families across our state,” adding, “It is our responsibility to do everything we can to protect the rigor of these programs and Michiganders looking to start careers in good-paying jobs.”
In their letter, the Attorneys General point out three key concerns with the proposed rule:
- Its failure to include specifics about what an apprenticeship program must include in order to be certified…
- Its failure to adequately protect apprentices from low-quality programs…
- Its failure to provide the U.S. Department of Labor proper enforcement authority to act when programs fall short of providing quality training and education…
In Michigan, apprenticeships are a necessary part of the licensing requirements for many occupations, including electricians, plumbers and boiler operators. Michigan’s apprenticeship regulations contain specifics on the required number of hours and the duration of an apprenticeship program, but sometimes also rely on Labor’s certification of an apprenticeship program.
Nessel says, “With more than 1,000 apprenticeship programs in the state and more than 18,000 active apprentices, Michigan absolutely has a stake in strengthening this rule,” and added, “When strict regulations and protections aren’t put in place, some businesses will do everything they can to exploit consumers, taking every advantage of the loopholes half-baked rules leave wide open. I urge the USDOL to revise its rule to make certain these programs remain a viable pathway to endless possibilities for Michiganders and all Americans.”
Nessel co-signed the comment letter with the Attorneys General of Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington.
A copy of the letter can be read by clicking the link below: