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S 3076

An Act providing opportunities for apprentices to complete their training and ensuring for a skilled workforce in the commonwealth of Massachusetts

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Nick Collins and 13 co-sponsors

The bill requires apprentices to perform a rising share of on-site hours on large projects, with a phased target of 5%/10%/15% over 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · S 3076

Purpose and intent

  • S.3076, titled An Act providing opportunities for apprentices to complete their training and ensuring for a skilled workforce in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aims to increase the use of apprenticeships on large construction and similar projects and to create a dedicated commission to study and improve apprenticeship programs across industries.
  • The bill seeks to ensure a pathway for apprentices to complete training, thereby developing a skilled, local workforce and expanding opportunities in public works, construction, transportation, infrastructure, and emerging industries.

Key provisions and changes

  • Apprenticeship on large projects (over $1 million):
    • For projects over $1 million, the total hours worked by directly employed employees on site (and subject to prevailing wage) must be performed by apprentices in bona fide training programs approved by the Division of Apprentice Training (within the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development) and in line with:
    • Apprentice ratios established by trades’ license boards or
    • Programs registered with and approved by the U.S. Department of Labor
    • Programs that have graduated at least one apprentice in the last five years
    • The ERISA retirement plan requirement does not apply to these apprenticeship programs.
    • Phased apprenticeship targets for hours:
    • 6 months after enactment: 5% of applicable hours must be performed by apprentices
    • 1 year after enactment: 10%
    • 2 years after enactment: 15%
  • Similar requirements proposed for other state chapters:
    • The same apprenticeship-hour requirements would apply to:
    • Section 6 of Chapter 149A
    • Chapter 30, Section 39M
    • In each case, the same 5%/10%/15% ramp schedule begins at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after passage, respectively.
  • Establishment of a special commission on apprenticeships:
    • Creation of a Special Commission on Apprenticeships in the Commonwealth to study development, accessibility, quality, funding, and utilization of apprentice and pre-apprentice programs across all industry sectors, with priority given to public works, construction, transportation, infrastructure, and emerging industries.
    • Composition includes:
    • Ex officio members: Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development (chair), Director of Apprentice Standards, Secretary of Economic Development, Secretary of Transportation, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
    • Labor representative: President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO
    • Five appointed members representing: a union apprentice program, an open-shop/non-union program, construction contractors, minority-owned or women-owned apprentice programs, and a workforce development/labor economics expert
    • Study areas include: adequacy of programs, barriers to participation, alignment with education pathways, feasibility of expanding Career Pathways programs to building/transportation, funding mechanisms, progress on apprentice ratio phasing, and needed statutory/regulatory changes.
    • Reporting: Not later than January 1, 2027, the commission must file findings and recommendations (including draft legislation) with the clerks of the House and Senate and the Chairs of Ways and Means and the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development.

Affected parties and entities

  • Contractors and subcontractors on projects exceeding $1 million (and their workers) subject to prevailing wage requirements.
  • Apprentices and prospective apprentices enrolled in bona fide apprenticeship programs (as defined by the bill).
  • Division of Apprentice Training (within the executive office of labor and workforce development) and state licensing boards that govern apprentice ratios.
  • Employers and sponsors of apprentice programs, including union and open-shop programs, minority-owned and women-owned programs, and construction contractors.
  • The Commonwealth’s workforce development ecosystem, including education and economic development agencies, which are involved in the commission’s work.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: The bill includes a phased ramp for apprenticeship participation starting six months after passage, with additional increases at one year and two years.
  • Commission: A newly established special commission must deliver a comprehensive report and draft legislation by January 1, 2027.
  • Ongoing regulation: The requirements reference established apprenticeship standards and approval processes by the Division of Apprentice Training and relevant federal and state boards.

Substantive notes

  • The bill emphasizes apprenticeships as a vehicle for skilled labor on major projects and ties progress to defined percentages over time.
  • ERISA considerations are preserved by stating that participation in these apprenticeship programs is not required to qualify as an ERISA employee welfare benefit plan.
  • While promoting apprenticeship utilization, the bill also creates a mechanism (the commission) to assess and refine the statewide apprenticeship landscape across multiple sectors.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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