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

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Ryan Hamilton

Requires on-site hours for large prevailing-wage projects to be performed by apprentices in approved programs, rising to 5% (6 months), 10% (12 months), 15% (24 months).

Purpose and intent

Establish a statutory framework to increase the use of apprentices on large construction projects in Massachusetts.

Require that a portion of on-site, prevailing-wage hours for large projects be performed by apprentices in bona fide training programs, thereby expanding the state’s skilled workforce and ensuring apprentices complete their training.

Key provisions

Applicable projects

For projects with a total value over $1,000,000, on-site hours worked by employees (by trade) who are directly employed on the site and paid under prevailing wage must be performed by apprentices enrolled in approved bona fide apprentice training programs.

Approved programs

Apprentices must be in programs authorized under sections 11H and 11I of Chapter 23, and approved by the Division of Apprentice Training within the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.
Programs must comply with apprentice ratios established by any trades licensing boards.

Required apprenticeship participation (timelines)

Six months after passage: 5% of the on-site hours must be performed by apprentices.
One year after passage: 10% of the on-site hours must be performed by apprentices.
Two years after passage: 15% of the on-site hours must be performed by apprentices.

Parallel amendments across multiple chapters

The same apprenticeship-hours requirements are added to:
Chapter 149, Section 26
Chapter 149A, Section 6 (new subsection (f))
Chapter 30, Section 39M (new subsection (f))

Compliance and oversight

Programs must be approved by the Division of Apprentice Training.
Compliance must align with established apprentice ratios and applicable trade licensing board guidelines.

Who/what is affected

Contractors and subcontractors on projects exceeding $1,000,000 that are subject to prevailing wage.

Apprentices enrolled in bona fide training programs (as defined by the referenced chapters).

The Division of Apprentice Training (within the EO Labor and Workforce Development) responsible for program approval.

Trades licensing boards that establish apprenticeship ratios.

Procedural/timeline aspects

Status and origin

Filed January 16, 2025 as House Bill No. 2121 (HD 2902) by Rep. Ryan M. Hamilton (Methuen).
Similar measure previously filed as H. 1839 in the 2023-2024 session.

Effective timing

The apprenticeship-hour requirements would begin to apply six months after enactment, with staged increases at 12 months and 24 months.

Scope note

The bill text indicates a statewide application to relevant large, on-site projects and does not specify whether the requirement targets public works only or includes certain private sector projects, beyond the prevailing-wage context.

Short assessment

HD 2902 aims to codify a ramped apprenticeship-hour requirement on large on-site projects, tying the percentage of hours worked by apprentices to program approval and trade-specific ratios. If enacted, the measure would expand apprenticeship opportunities and formalize a timeline for increasing apprentice participation, with potential impacts on project planning, labor costs, and workforce development in Massachusetts.

Bill