Within the Kentucky Department of Labor are apprenticeship coordinators who specialize in assisting employers in establishing registered apprenticeship training programs. The apprenticeship coordinator will schedule a meeting with you and explain the requirements for registering an apprenticeship program.

The Kentucky Department of Labor has developed apprenticeship program standards that are in conformance with federal and state laws governing apprenticeship. These standards are used to register all apprenticeship programs in the state of Kentucky.

If you have a collective bargaining agreement in place, a Joint Apprenticeship Committee should be established consisting of equal representation from both labor and management.  If the bargaining unit does not wish to participate in the administration of the apprenticeship program, a letter of waiver from the union is obtained and the employer will operate the apprenticeship program according to the standards.

If no collective bargaining agreement is in place, an employer can both register and administer the apprenticeship program.

Registered apprenticeship in Kentucky is very flexible and is tailored to individual employers needs for on-the-job training of apprentices. In addition to on-the-job training, a minimum of 144 hours of related instruction classes are required for each year of apprenticeship. The related instruction is designed to teach the apprentice the theoretical and technical subjects related to the trade.

The basic requirements for registering an apprenticeship program are:

(a)  the standards must contain the equal opportunity pledge

      prescribed by the Kentucky State Plan for equal employment

      opportunity in apprenticeship;

(b)  the employment and training of an apprentice in a skilled

      trade;

(c)      a term of apprenticeship, not less than 2,000 hours of work

      experience, consistent with training requirements as

      established by industry practices;

(d)  an outline of work processes in which the apprentice will

      receive supervised work experience and training on the job

      and the allocation of the approximate time to be spent in

      each major process;

(e)  provision for related instruction in technical subjects

      related to the trade. A minimum of 144 hours for each year

      of apprenticeship is required;

(f)       a progressively increasing schedule of wages to be paid the

      apprentice consistent with the skill acquired. The entry wage

      shall not be less than 40 percent of the established

      journeyperson rate of the employer or not less than the

      applicable minimum wage prescribed by state or federal law,

      whichever is greater. On projects where the wage rate has

      been set by law, the apprentice’s rate of pay shall be based

      upon the established journeyperson rate;

(g)  periodic review and evaluation of the apprentice’s progress in

      job performance and related instruction and maintenance of

      appropriate progress records;

(h)  the ratio of apprentices to journeypersons consistent with

      proper supervision, training and continuity of employment

      are required.  The ratio of apprentice to journeyperson are

      established by Kentucky statute;

(i)        a probationary period of not more than four (4) months 

      during which the apprenticeship agreement may be

      terminated by either party with full credit for such period

      toward completion of apprenticeship;

(j)         adequate and safe equipment and facilities for training,

      supervision and safety training for apprentices;

(k)      granting of credit for previous experience, training, skills or

      aptitude for all applicants equally, with commensurate wages

      for any accorded progression;

(l)        assurance of qualified training personnel;

(m)  placement of an apprentice under an apprenticeship

      agreement as required by the state apprenticeship law and

      regulations. The agreement shall incorporate the standards

      of the program as part of the agreement;

(n)  the required minimum qualifications for persons entering an

      apprenticeship program with an eligible starting age of not

      less than sixteen (16) years;

(o)  recognition of the successful completion of an apprenticeship

      program by evidence of an appropriate completion certificate;

(p)  identification of the registration agency;

(q)  name and address of the appropriate authority to receive,

      process and make disposition of complaints;

(r)       recording and maintenance of all required records.

Once you have determined that you want to establish a registered apprenticeship training program, an apprenticeship coordinator will assist you in preparing the program standards and supply you with contacts for related instruction and classroom training.

Apprenticeship coordinators are available to assist you in every way to establish your registered apprenticeship program.

Registered apprenticeship training is a vital part of the economic well being of this state and our country. The better trained our workers are the better our businesses can compete in today's global market. Apprenticeship training is a proven on-the-job training system that will produce better trained employees that are more efficient, motivated and productive.