This bill amends the registered apprenticeship requirements for public works contractors in New Jersey, introducing an opt-out option for contractors from participating in registered apprenticeship programs. Contractors can choose to opt-out by paying an annual fee of $1,000 per craft classification at the time of their public works contractor registration application and upon each renewal. In exchange for opting out, contractors must pay their tradespeople at least the prevailing journeyman rate for the craft work performed. Additionally, the bill allocates 50% of the opt-out funds to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development for apprenticeship recruitment and services, while the other 50% goes to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority for micro-grants to support female, minority, and veteran-owned construction firms.

The bill also revises the requirements for registered apprenticeship programs, stating that the classroom and on-the-job training hours must meet or exceed the standards set by the relevant building and construction trade unions. It removes the previous stipulation that apprentices must complete a minimum of 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and 144 hours of classroom instruction each year. Furthermore, the bill establishes an ERISA-covered apprenticeship training program trust fund to finance registered apprenticeship programs. Lastly, it repeals a provision that exempted subcontractors from registration requirements if they did not perform work at construction sites subject to the Public Works Contractor Registration Act.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 34:11-56.52, 34:11-56.55, 34:11-56.51