Gov. Shapiro: Let’s Get More Stuff Done for Apprentices!

Last week, Governor Shapiro announced a strategic initiative to address Pennsylvania’s nursing shortage, an industry which is absolutely in need of help. We applaud the Governor’s move to increase nurse apprenticeship and address the shortage.

There is an even greater labor shortage in the construction industry and existing barriers for our apprentices desperately need Gov. Shapiro’s attention, too. Currently, 90 percent of construction apprentices are unable to enter an apprenticeship program due to a 4:1 ratio formula. Only one apprentice can be hired for every four graduated apprentices, also known as “journeymen.”

Associated Builders & Contractors, Keystone Chapter, seeks a legislative change to a 1963 state policy. Sponsors Rep. Gleim (H.B. 677) and Sen. Keefer (S.B. 439) have introduced fair solutions to give both union and non-union apprenticeship programs an equal playing field to increase enrollments. Both bills create a more fair ratio based on insurance data, with high hazard trades having 3 journeymen to1 apprentice; medium hazard trades having 2 journeymen to 1 apprentice; and low hazard trades with a 1 to 1 ratio moving forward. These changes do not cost a single taxpayer dollar as apprenticeship programs are paid for by the employers and unions sponsoring the apprentice.

ABC Keystone Chapter president and CEO, Dave Sload, said, “Registered apprenticeship is a fantastic education program that works as an ‘earn while you learn’ model and provides a nationally recognized education diploma. It’s encouraging to hear Gov. Shapiro make positive announcements about apprenticeships, but Pennsylvania is leaving many apprentices behind. We should enact this proposed legislation for our future workforce instead of letting outdated regulations from the 1960s close opportunities to workers. When there is no cost to taxpayers, there’s no reason not to move forward by bringing more apprentices into programs.”