ABC Opposes Proposed Rule Changes to Apprenticeship Regulations

The organization believes it will discourage employer participation by adding more bureaucracy and paperwork.

By BUILDER Staff

The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) believes the proposed rule changes for the National Apprenticeship System Enhancements will exacerbate the construction labor shortage. The proposed rule would make “significant and controversial revisions” to the National Apprenticeship System, according to the ABC.

“ABC supports government-related apprenticeship programs and offers more than 450 such education programs across the country as part of its all-of-the above approach to meet the workforce needs of the construction industry,” Ben Brubeck, ABC vice president of regulatory, labor, and state affairs, said in a prepared statement. “ABC is thoroughly reviewing the Biden Department of Labor’s overreaching 779-page proposal and is concerned that aspects of the proposed rule will limit the number of apprentices and employers participating in GRAPs (government-registered apprenticeship programs).”