An amended version of Senate Bill 1465 was approved by a 35-0 vote with one senator absent. Existing state law sets a hiring ratio for apprentices that certain trades must follow. The rule allows contractors to hire up to three apprentices at a 1:1 ratio. After that, employers must abide by a 1:3 ratio, which means that for each new apprentice, a company must have three additional journeymen. Contractors must apply to DCP for relief from the ratio requirement, must not have had any state disciplinary or enforcement actions taken against them in the three years before seeking relief, and must show that “good cause” exists for allowing the relief, the bill states. Cicarella noted that the issue has been a “hot topic” between union and nonunion shops. “They both had very legitimate concerns,” he said. “Unions wanted to make sure that the apprentices were being protected and used correctly.” He added that all stakeholders took part in conversations to develop the bill, which he described as “a middle ground.”
https://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/ct-senate-overwhelmingly-approves-bill-to-loosen-trade-apprenticeship-ratios