State Rep. Thomas Stanley helps pass trades apprenticeship legislation

State Rep. Thomas Stanley from Waltham helped to pass legislation through the Massachusetts House of Representatives that requires public works projects over $10 million to hire trade apprentices to work onsite. The bill still needs to pass through the Massachusetts State Senate in order to be signed into law.

Stanley said the bill would make “critical investments to the skilled workforce and infrastructure in Massachusetts by expanding access to jobs, training and fair wages.”

Apprentices will account for 5 percent of overall work hours in a public works project. This number would increase to 10 percent three years after the bill is signed into law and to 15 percent one year later.

Agencies would be required to select bidders who participate in a Division of Apprentice Standards approved apprenticeship program for public works projects over $10 million. If no such bidders come forward, the agency is allowed to select a bidder without an apprenticeship program to complete the work. Additionally, a Special Commission on Apprenticeships would be established to evaluate apprenticeship programs across the state in all industry sectors.