This section provides sponsors with tools and information on program administration and operations that will assist and guide you to ensure success of your Registered Apprenticeship.
- Program Sponsor Orientation - This module is designed to provide a brief orientation for sponsors on some of the responsibilities associated with successfully operating and administrating a Registered Apprenticeship program. The presentation provides some best practices related to running an apprenticeship program, including tips related to onboarding apprentices, sponsor recordkeeping, and mentorship.
- RAPIDS Overview Demonstration - This module provides the Sponsor with an overview of the Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database System (RAPIDS). Sponsors will become familiar with the components of RAPIDS and how to navigate within the system.
- RAPIDS Program Sponsor User Guide - This link provides a RAPIDS user guide for program sponsors.
- Providing Reasonable Accommodations - This module describes reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and provides specific examples of reasonable accommodations in different industries and occupations. The module also addresses how to collaborate with the Office of Disability Services.
- Promoting an Anti-Harassment Environment - This training addresses harassment in any company, emphasizing that it can happen to anyone. It covers recognizing unlawful behavior, defining harassment, taking appropriate action as a target or witness, reporting incidents, and understanding the consequences of retaliation.
- Creating and Implementing Affirmative Action Plans - This learning module explains how to create Affirmative Action Plans (AAPs) and implement them in Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs. The module also presents case studies of RA programs that successfully implemented affirmative action efforts and how their programs have benefited.
- Understanding the Affirmative Action Plan Builder - This demonstration video provides an overview of the Affirmative Action Builder. Sponsors are required to develop Affirmative Action Plans if they 1) have 5 or more apprentices and 2) do not already have an approved EEO plan in place.
- The Role of Mentorship in Registered Apprenticeship Programs - This module introduces how mentorship is essential to registered apprenticeship programs. Best practices for selecting, training, and supporting mentors are included to support registered apprenticeship program sponsors and participating employers.
- Developing Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Programs - This module offers sponsors an overview of guidelines for quality pre-apprenticeship program issued by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The module helps sponsors understand how to implement quality pre-apprenticeship programs and develop a pipeline for their registered apprenticeship programs.
This section covers topics related to regulatory compliance.
- Apprenticeship Regulations and Guiding Documents - This module summarizes regulations and guiding documents of which registered apprenticeship programs are grounded, including the National Apprenticeship Act and the key regulatory provisions as outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations on Apprenticeship in 29 CFR 29 and 29 CFR 30.
- Apprenticeship Legislation, Regulations, and Guidance - This link provides a list of national apprenticeship legislation guiding apprenticeship throughout the United States
- Understanding Apprenticeship Program Reviews - This 20-minute video will provide a high-level overview of the program review process to help sponsors prepare for program reviews.
- Understanding Davis Bacon - This microlearning introduces the Davis-Bacon Act and the impact of its standards on registered apprenticeship programs. Designed to be completed in 15-20 minutes, the training aims to clarify what is required to uphold Davis-Bacon standards in registered apprenticeship programs. The module includes relevant scenarios and guidance for working with partners to implement standards.
- Generating Davis-Bacon Certifications in RAPIDS - This module guides sponsors with contracts governed by the Davis-Bacon Act on using RAPIDS to obtain Davis-Bacon certifications for apprentices and offers best practices for this process. This guidance is essential for sponsors reliant on Davis-Bacon Act-related funding to ensure compliance with the regulations.
- Understanding Federal Youth Labor Laws for Sponsors - This module provides sponsors with a basic understanding of strategies that support registered apprenticeship opportunities for youth and the legal requirements, safety, and other factors to consider when hiring employees under the age of 18.
- State Youth Labor Laws and Additional Federal Guidance for Sponsors - This module provides information for sponsors enrolling or looking to enroll youth in their programs. This module looks at restrictions on hours worked, youth labor laws at the state level, and additional guidance for partners in the apprenticeship ecosystem.
This section covers topics related to meeting requirements for EEO and DEIA in Registered Apprenticeship.
- Introduction to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in RA Programs for Sponsors - This learning module introduces Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in Registered Apprenticeships (RA) to provide RA program sponsors with foundational knowledge of these concepts.
- Equal Employment Opportunity in Registered Apprenticeship - This webinar recording overviews EEO requirements and DOL’s expectations for Registered Apprenticeship sponsors, particularly involving regulations under 29 CFR part 30.
- EEO Requirements for Registered Apprenticeship Programs with Five or More Apprentices - This learning module discusses the additional Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) requirements for Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs with five or more apprentices.
- Meeting EEO Requirements through Affirmative Action Programs - This module reviews EEO requirements for all Registered Apprenticeship programs. Sponsors will learn about the five universal EEO requirements for RA programs. This will help ensure sponsors are meeting their requirements under 29 CFR part 30.
- Anti-Harassment and EEO Complaints - This roughly 30-minute webinar is intended for intermediaries who work with sponsors of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs). After watching, you should be able to recognize unlawful harassment, recall EEO requirements regarding anti-harassment, ensure that RAPs are free from harassment, and understand the rights related to filing a harassment complaint.
This section focuses on funding and provides information on potential funding sources for RA programs.
- GI Bill Benefits to Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors - This module will provide the regulatory basis and highlight the benefits of GI Bill approval for Sponsors in Registered Apprenticeship. You will learn about the streamlined approval process between the Department of Labor and the Department of Veterans Affairs and learn how to utilize GI Bill Benefits as a recruitment tool for veterans.
- The Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) from the Sponsor Perspective - The Eligible Training Provider List or ETPL is a statewide repository of training providers eligible to receive WIOA Title I funding to support occupational skills training. Registered Apprenticeship program sponsors are automatically eligible for inclusion on this list, which allows Local Boards to fund the related instruction component of a RAP. Why this is important and how sponsors can participate is the subject of this presentation.
- State Tax Credits and Tuition Support - This link offers a list of States that offer tax credits, funding, and other tuition support for hiring Registered Apprentices.
The topics in this section provide sponsors with outreach and recruitment strategies for their programs.
- Hire Veterans - This website outlines the benefits of hiring a veteran for a registered apprenticeship program.
- Approaching Outreach and Recruitment with a DEIA Mindset - This module discusses how to prevent discrimination by creating a successful outreach and recruitment plan to reach diverse apprentices. The modules discuss programs’ responsibilities in ensuring a DEIA-focused plan is being implemented for hiring and retaining apprentices.
- Implementing Effective Outreach and Recruitment in RAPs - This training will review EEO requirements for outreach and recruitment, distinguish between universal and target outreach and recruitment, summarize EEO requirements for apprentice selection, and identify required records for collection maintenance.
Universal Outreach Tool Tutorial - This tutorial provides a demonstration of the Web based Universal outreach tool. This tool provides a simple method to identify resource that may be able to assist sponsors with both general and targeted outreach to potential apprenticeship applicants.
Contact us with questions or for more information at raacademy@dol.gov