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Revisions to the equal opportunity regulatory framework for the National Apprenticeship Act are a critical element in the Department's vision to promote and expand Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in the 21st century while continuing to safeguard the welfare and safety of apprentices. In October 2008, the Agency issued a final rule updating regulations for Apprenticeship Programs and Labor Standards for Registration. These regulations, codified at title 29 CFR 29, had not been updated since 1977. The companion regulations, 29 CFR 30, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) in Apprenticeship and Training, had not been amended since 1978. The Agency updated 29 CFR 30 to ensure that the National Registered Apprenticeship System is consistent and in alignment with EEO law, as developed since 1978, and recent revisions to 29 CFR 29. This second phase of regulatory updates ensured that Registered Apprenticeship is positioned to continue to provide economic opportunity for millions of Americans while keeping pace with these new requirements.

Statement of Need:

Federal regulations for Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) in Apprenticeship had not been updated since 1978. Updates to these regulations were necessary to ensure that DOL regulatory requirements governing the National Registered Apprenticeship System were consistent with the current state of EEO law and recent revisions to 29 CFR 29.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

These regulations are authorized by the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937 (29 U.S.C. 50) and the Copeland Act (40 U.S.C. 276(c). These regulations set forth policies and procedures to promote equality of opportunity in apprenticeship programs registered with the U.S. Department of Labor or in State Apprenticeship Agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Alternatives:

The public was afforded an opportunity to provide comments on the proposed amendment to Apprenticeship EEO regulations when the Department published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register. A Final Rule was issued after analysis and incorporation of public comments to the NPRM.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

The  changes were thought to raise "novel legal or policy issues" but are not economically significant within the context of Executive Order 12866 and are not a "major rule" under section 804 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act.

Risks:

This action does not affect the public health, safety, or the environment.