ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS SAY LABOR DEPARTMENT RULE RIGHTLY RECOGNIZES UNIQUE ROLE OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN CREATING NEW APPRENTICESHIP MODEL

Bethesda, Md.—The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) applauds today’s final rule by the U.S. Department of Labor for recognizing the construction industry’s longstanding expertise in the creation and execution of apprenticeships. The new rule, which will govern the creation of Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs), will ensure the construction industry may not participate in IRAPs. 

“Given the high concentration of time-tested registered apprenticeship programs in the construction industry, there is no need to create a parallel program that would detract from our nearly 80 years of experience as the industry’s gold standard,” NECA Chief Executive Officer David Long said. "We are pleased that the Trump administration recognized the success of our established model. Thanks to our efforts to expand and improve our programs, millions of hardworking Americans have built wonderful careers empowering lives and communities across America.”