Legislation, Regulations, and Guidance

Apprenticeship Legislation

• The National Apprenticeship Act (50 Stat. 664; 29 U.S.C. 50)

  The National Apprenticeship Act (50 Stat. 664; 29 U.S.C. 50)

  To enable the [U.S.] Department of Labor to formulate and promote the furtherance of labor standards necessary to safeguard the welfare of apprentices and to cooperate with the States in the promotion of such standards.

  Be it enacted by the senate and House of representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of Labor is hereby authorized and directed to formulate and promote the furtherance of labor standards necessary to safeguard the welfare of apprentices, to extend the application of such standards by encouraging the inclusion thereof in contracts of apprenticeship, to bring together employers and labor for the formulation of programs of apprenticeship, to cooperate with State agencies engaged in the formulation and promotion of standards of apprenticeship, and to cooperate with the National Youth Administration and with the Office of Education of the Department of the Interior in accordance with the section 6 of the Act of February 23, 1917 (29 Stat. 932), as assembled by the Executive Order Numbered 6166, June 10, 1933, issued pursuant to an Act of June 30, 1932 (47 Stat. 414) as amended.

  SEC. 2. The Secretary of Labor may publish information relating to existing and proposed labor standards of apprenticeship, and may appoint national advisory committees to serve without compensation. Such committees shall include representatives of employers, representatives of labor, educators, and officers of other executive departments, with the consent of the head of any such department.

  SEC. 3. On and after the effective date of this Act the National Youth Administration shall be relieved of direct responsibility for the promotion of labor standards of apprenticeship as heretofore conducted through the division of apprentice training and shall transfer all records and papers relating to such activities to the custody of the Department of Labor. The Secretary of Labor is authorized to appoint such employees as he may from time to time find necessary for the administration of this Act, with regard to existing laws applicable to the appointment and compensation of employees of the United States: Provided, however, That he may appoint persons now employed in division of apprentice training of the National Youth Administration upon certification by the Civil Service Commission of their qualifications after nonassembled examinations.

  SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 1937, or as soon thereafter as it shall be approved.

  Amendments to the National Apprenticeship Act

  § Sec. 50. Promotion of labor standards of apprenticeship

  The Secretary of Labor is authorized and directed to formulate and promote the furtherance of labor standards necessary to safeguard the welfare of apprentices, to extend the application of such standards by encouraging the inclusion thereof in contracts of apprenticeship, to bring together employers and labor for the formulation of programs of apprenticeship, to cooperate with State agencies engaged in the formulation and promotion of standards of apprenticeship, and to cooperate with the Secretary of Education in accordance with section 17 of title 20. For the purposes of this chapter the term ''State'' shall include the District of Columbia.

  § Sec. 50a. Publication of information; national advisory committees

  The Secretary of Labor may publish information relating to existing and proposed labor standards of apprenticeship, and may appoint national advisory committees to serve without compensation. Such committees shall include representatives of employers, representatives of labor, educators, and officers of other executive departments, with the consent of the head of any such department.

  § Sec. 50b. Appointment of employees

  The Secretary of Labor is authorized to appoint such employees as he may from time to time find necessary for the administration of this chapter, with regard to existing laws applicable to the appointment and compensation of employees of the United States.

• Registered Apprenticeship Programs (Title 29 CFR Part 29)

  Registered Apprenticeship Programs (Title 29 CFR Part 29)

  The current version of the Federal regulation at 29 CFR part 29 that elaborates the minimum labor standards of apprenticeship that must be adopted by registered apprenticeship programs, and that also governs the overall administration of the National Apprenticeship System, became effective on December 29, 2008.  This labor standards regulation (and its companion regulation at 29 CFR part 30 addressing equal employment opportunity in registered apprenticeship programs) implements the statutory provisions contained in the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937, and provides a legal framework that supports an enhanced, modernized National Apprenticeship System.  Interested persons may view a copy of the published Final Rule containing the current version of 29 CFR part 29.

  The current regulation provides a framework for the following:

  • Promotes apprenticeship and advances the National Apprenticeship System
  • Protects the welfare of the apprentices
  • Provides consistency and accountability across the system to enhance program quality and performance
  • Creates flexibility within the apprenticeship model and aligns it with the needs of a new generation of workers and a broad range of employers

  Since the publication of the 2008 Final Rule, there have been a few technical adjustments made to the regulations under Title 29 CFR part 29. The technical adjustments made to the regulations did not alter the substance of the regulations, and the current regulations incorporating these adjustments can be viewed here.

  Education and Outreach Materials for Title 29, CFR Part 29

  Regulations Fact Sheet: Describes key changes in the final rule as they pertain to apprentices, program sponsors, State Apprenticeship Agencies and other stakeholders.

  Regulations at a Glance: 10 one-page reference guides that describe how the final rule addresses the following topics:

  • Electronic Media in Related Instruction
  • Interim Credentials
  • Probationary Periods and Cancellations
  • Program Performance Standards
  • Proposed Modifications to State Apprenticeship Legislation
  • Provisional Registration
  • Reciprocal Approval
  • Recognition of State Apprenticeship Agencies (SAAs)
  • SAA Re-application for Recognition
  • Three Approaches to Apprenticeship Program Completion

   

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) in Apprenticeship (Title 29 CFR Part 30)

  Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) in Apprenticeship (Title 29 CFR Part 30)

  The amended regulations under Title 29 CFR Part 30 set forth policies and procedures to promote equal opportunity in Registered Apprenticeship Programs. The amended regulations published in the Federal Register on December 19, 2016 (and became effective on January 18, 2017). See a copy of the published Final Rule containing the amended regulations.