Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-05 - Apprenticeship rules › Section 296-05-413 - Outreach and recruitment requirements-Specific

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
To gain approval, an equal employment opportunity plan must
				include the following specific provisions for outreach and recruitment
				criteria:
(1) To increase minority and
			 female participation in apprenticeship, program sponsors are expected to
			 strengthen program outreach and recruitment efforts. The equal employment
			 opportunity plan must specify the activities they will use to achieve this
			 result.
(2) The program sponsor is
			 not necessarily required to include all of the listed activities in its equal
			 employment opportunity program. The WSATC, when approving the sponsor's equal
			 employment opportunity plan, will determine the number of specific activities a
			 sponsor must implement to satisfy this outreach and recruitment requirement.
			 The WSATC will consider all circumstances including the size and type of the
			 program and its resources. When special circumstances exist, the WSATC may
			 provide financial or other assistance it deems necessary to implement the
			 requirements of this section from any funds made available to it for such
			 purpose.
(3) Examples of positive
			 outreach and recruitment activities are:
(a)
			 Distributing information about the nature of apprenticeship programs, program
			 admission requirements, current apprenticeship opportunities, sources of
			 apprenticeship applications, and the equal opportunity policy of the sponsor.
For programs only accepting applications at specific intervals,
				such information shall be disseminated at least thirty calendar days in advance
				of each application date. For programs that accept applications throughout the
				year, this information must be distributed at least semiannually.
To be effective, the information described in this section must
				be given to the WSATC, local schools, employment service offices, women's
				centers, outreach programs and community organizations which effectively reach
				minorities and women. Also it must be published in newspapers which are
				circulated in the minority community and among women as well as the general
				areas in which the program sponsor operates.
(b) Participating in workshops conducted by
			 employment service agencies, school districts, and community based
			 organizations to increase apprenticeship program awareness of apprenticeship
			 opportunities.
(c) Cooperating with
			 local school districts, vocational education systems, and school employees to
			 develop programs for preparing students to meet the standards and criteria
			 required to qualify for entry into apprenticeship programs.
(d) Increasing awareness of a sponsor's equal
			 opportunity policy within the sponsor's organization. The goal of this
			 increased awareness within the sponsor's organization is to foster
			 understanding, acceptance, and support among the sponsor's various officers,
			 supervisors, employees, employers, and members. This is to encourage the
			 necessary active assistance in achieving the program's obligations required by
			 these rules.
(e) Participating in
			 existing outreach programs whose focus is the recruitment and preparation of
			 minority and female apprenticeship applicants. Whenever possible, these should
			 provide applicants with pretesting experience and training.
(f) Developing outreach programs whose focus
			 is the recruitment and preparation of minority and female apprenticeship
			 applicants. If apprenticeship outreach programs do not exist, the sponsor
			 should attempt to develop them. This effort may require working with other
			 sponsors and appropriate community organizations. It may require obtaining
			 financial assistance from the WSATC. Also, the sponsor shall initiate programs
			 that prepare and encourage women to enter traditionally male dominated
			 apprenticeship programs and occupations.
(g) Encouraging the development and use of
			 programs for apprenticeship preparation education or other work related
			 experiences that prepare candidates for apprenticeship.
(h) Granting to all applicants, without
			 prejudice, advance standing or credit for previously acquired experience,
			 training, skills, or aptitude.
(i)
			 Engaging in other activities to ensure that the recruitment, selection,
			 employment, and training of apprentices without discrimination based upon race,
			 color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender
			 identity), sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, or as
			 otherwise specified by law. Some examples of these activities include:
(i) General publication of advertisements,
			 industry reports, articles on apprenticeship opportunities and
			 advantages.
(ii) Use minority and
			 female apprentices and journey-level workers as recruiters.
(iii) Provide career counseling to
			 prospective applicants.
(iv)
			 Periodically audit equal employment opportunity programs to see if goals are
			 being met.
(v) Develop monitoring
			 procedures to ensure that employers are granting equal employment opportunities
			 to apprentices (these procedures may include reporting systems, on-site
			 reviews, or briefing sessions).