Connecticut officials have touted workforce development as key to the state s economic recovery from COVID-19, but some contractors say restrictions on apprenticeship hires is hurting their ability to bring on new employees, even as the industry faces a worker shortage.
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Chris Fryxell
The state Department of Consumer Protection imposes a so-called hiring ratio on contracting companies in electrical, plumbing and metal-working trades. The rule is a bit technical but it essentially requires contractors to have a certain number of licensed journeymen on staff for each apprentice they hire.
The ratio allows contractors to hire up to three apprentices on a 1:1 ratio. That means a company must have three licensed journeymen on staff if it wants three apprentices. It would need two journeymen for two apprentices.