AB 797

Introduction

Under current law, any person 16 years of age or over may enter into an

indenture, which is a contract whereby the person (apprentice) is to receive from his

or her employer, in consideration for the apprentice's services, instruction in any

trade, craft, or business. This bill makes various changes relating to the formation

and assignment of an apprentice contract, the related instruction that must be

provided under an apprentice contract, the procedures for terminating an apprentice

contract, and the penalties for nonperformance of an apprentice contract. The bill

also makes certain changes relating to the appointment and composition of the

Wisconsin Apprenticeship Council.

Apprentice contracts

Formation of apprentice contract.

Under current law, an apprentice may

enter into an indenture with an employer or with an organization of employees,

association of employers, or other similar responsible agency (organization). An

indenture must contain the names of the parties; the date of birth of the apprentice;

a statement of the trade, craft, or business that the apprentice is to be taught and

the time when the apprenticeship will begin and end; an agreement stating the

number of hours to be spent in related instruction; an agreement as to the

procedures, methods, or plans to be taught; and a statement of the compensation to

be paid to the apprentice.

This bill defines or redefines certain terms relating to apprenticeships.

Specifically, the bill:

1. Replaces the term "indenture" with the term "apprentice contract" and

specifies that an apprentice contract is between the apprentice, the Department of

Workforce Development (DWD), and the sponsor of the apprenticeship program or

an apprenticeship committee acting as the agent of the sponsor.

2. Replaces the term "organization" with the term "sponsor" and redefines that

term to mean any employer, organization of employees, association of employers,

committee, or other person operating an apprenticeship program and in whose name

the apprenticeship program is approved by DWD.

3. Defines an "apprenticeship committee" as a joint apprenticeship committee,

which consists of both employer and employee representatives, or a nonjoint

apprenticeship committee, which consists only of employer representatives,

designated by a sponsor to administer an apprenticeship program.

4. Defines an "apprenticeship program" as a program approved by DWD

providing for the employment and training of apprentices in a trade, craft, or

business that includes a plan containing all of the terms and conditions for the

qualification, recruitment, selection, employment, and training of apprentices as

required under the subchapter of the statutes relating to apprenticeship programs.