Chapter DWD 296

DWD 296.04(1)(b) (b) The components of a written plan shall be developed in accordance with the respective compliance dates and made available to the department upon request.

DWD 296.04(2) (2) Contents of an affirmative action program. An affirmative action program under sub. (1) shall include all of the following:

DWD 296.04(2)(a) (a) Utilization analysis for race, sex, and ethnicity as prescribed under s. DWD 296.05.

DWD 296.04(2)(b) (b) Establishment of utilization goals for race, sex, and ethnicity as prescribed under s. DWD 296.06.

DWD 296.04(2)(c) (c) Utilization goals for individuals with disabilities as prescribed under s. DWD 296.07.

DWD 296.04(2)(d) (d) Targeted outreach, recruitment, and retention as prescribed under s. DWD 296.08.

DWD 296.04(2)(e) (e) Review of personnel processes as prescribed under s. DWD 296.09.

DWD 296.04(2)(f) (f) Invitations to self-identify as prescribed under s. DWD 296.11.

DWD 296.04(3) (3) Written affirmative action plans.

DWD 296.04(3)(a) (a) A sponsor that is required to adopt an affirmative action program under sub. (1), shall create and update a written affirmative action plan memorializing and discussing the contents of the program identified under sub. (2).

DWD 296.04(3)(b) (b) The initial written affirmative action plan for registered apprenticeship programs existing as of January 18, 2018, shall be completed within 2 years of January 18, 2018. The written affirmative action plan shall be updated every time the sponsor completes workforce analysis required under ss. DWD 296.05 (2) and 296.07 (2).

DWD 296.04(3)(c) (c) The initial written affirmative action plan for apprenticeship programs registered after January 18, 2018 shall be completed within 2 years of registration. The written affirmative action plan shall be updated every time the sponsor completes workforce analysis required under ss. DWD 296.05 (2) and 296.07 (2).

DWD 296.04 History History: CR 19-003: cr. Register September 2019 No. 765, eff. 10-1-19; correction in (3) (b), (c) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register September 2019 No. 765.

DWD 296.05 DWD 296.05 Utilization analysis for race, sex, and ethnicity.

DWD 296.05(1) (1) Utilization analysis. A utilization analysis provides sponsors with a method for assessing whether possible barriers to apprenticeship exist for particular groups of individuals by determining whether the race, sex, and ethnicity of apprentices in a sponsor’s registered apprenticeship program is reflective of individuals available for apprenticeship by race, sex, and ethnicity in the relevant recruitment area. Where significant disparity exists between availability and representation, a sponsor shall be required to establish a utilization goal under s. DWD 296.06.

DWD 296.05(2) (2) Analysis of apprenticeship program. A sponsor shall analyze the race, sex, and ethnic composition of its apprentice workforce. A sponsor shall group all apprentices in their registered apprenticeship program by occupation title, then for each occupation represented, a sponsor shall identify the race, sex, and ethnicity of its apprentices within that occupation.

DWD 296.05(3) (3) Schedule of analysis. A sponsor shall conduct an apprenticeship program workforce analysis at each compliance review and again if three years have passed without a compliance review. The updated workforce analysis shall be compared to the utilization goal established at the sponsor’s most recent compliance review to determine if the sponsor is underutilized as prescribed under sub. (6).

DWD 296.05(4) (4) Compliance date.

DWD 296.05(4)(a) (a) An existing sponsor of a registered apprenticeship program as of January 18, 2018 shall conduct its first workforce analysis under this section no later than 2 years after January 18, 2018.

DWD 296.05(4)(b) (b) A new sponsor registered after January 18, 2018 shall conduct its initial workforce analysis under this section, no later than 2 years after the date of registration.

DWD 296.05(5) (5) Availability analysis.

DWD 296.05(5)(a) (a) An availability analysis establishes a benchmark to compare to the demographic composition of a sponsor’s apprenticeship program to determine if barriers to equal opportunity may exist in a sponsor’s registered apprenticeship program.

DWD 296.05(5)(b) (b) Availability is an estimate of the number of qualified individuals available for apprenticeship by race, sex, and ethnicity expressed as a percentage of all qualified individuals available for apprenticeship in a sponsor’s relevant recruitment area.

DWD 296.05(5)(c) (c) In determining availability, all of the following factors shall be considered for each major occupation group represented in a sponsor’s registered apprenticeship program standards:

DWD 296.05(5)(c)1. 1. The percentage of individuals who are eligible for enrollment in the registered apprenticeship program within a sponsor’s relevant recruitment area broken down by race, sex, and ethnicity.

DWD 296.05(5)(c)2. 2. The percentage of the sponsor’s employees who are eligible for enrollment in the registered apprenticeship program.

DWD 296.05(5)(d) (d) In determining availability, the relevant recruitment area is defined as the geographical area from which the sponsor usually seeks or reasonably could seek apprentices. A sponsor shall identify the relevant recruitment area in its written affirmative action plan under s. DWD 296.04 (3). A sponsor may not draw its relevant recruitment area in a way that would have the effect of excluding individuals based on race, sex, or ethnicity from consideration, and shall develop a brief rationale for selection of that recruitment area.

DWD 296.05(5)(e) (e) Availability shall be derived from the most current and discrete statistical information available.

DWD 296.05 Note Note: Examples of current and discrete statistical information may include census data, data from local job service offices, and data from colleges or other training institutions.

DWD 296.05(5)(f) (f) A sponsor, working with the department, shall conduct an availability analysis at each compliance review.

DWD 296.05(6) (6) Rate of utilization. To determine the rate of utilization, a sponsor, working with the department, shall group each occupation title in the registered apprenticeship program by major occupation group and compare the racial, sex, and ethnic representation within each major occupation group to the racial, sex, and ethnic representation available in the relevant recruitment area, as determined in sub. (5). When a sponsor’s utilization of women, Hispanics or Latinos, or a particular racial minority group is significantly less than would be reasonably expected given the availability of women, Hispanics or Latinos, or a particular racial minority group for apprenticeship, a sponsor shall establish a utilization goal for the affected group as prescribed under sub. (5). Sponsors are not required or expected to establish goals where no significant disparity in utilization rates have been found.

DWD 296.05 History History: CR 19-003: cr. Register September 2019 No. 765, eff. 10-1-19; correction in (2) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register September 2019 No. 765.

DWD 296.06 DWD 296.06 Establishment of utilization goals for race, sex, and ethnicity.

DWD 296.06(1) (1) A sponsor required to establish a utilization goal under s. DWD 296.05 for a particular sex, racial group, or ethnic group in a major occupation in its registered apprenticeship program, working with the department, shall establish a percentage goal at least equal to the availability figure under s. DWD 296.05 (5), for that major occupation group.

DWD 296.06(2) (2) A sponsor’s determination under s. DWD 296.05 that a utilization goal is required does not constitute a finding or admission of discrimination.

DWD 296.06(3) (3) Utilization goals shall serve as objectives or targets reasonably attainable by means of applying every good faith effort to make all aspects of the entire affirmative action program work. Utilization goals are used to measure the effectiveness of a sponsor’s outreach, recruitment, and retention efforts. In establishing utilization goals, all of the following principles shall be applied:

DWD 296.06(3)(a) (a) Utilization goals may not include rigid and inflexible quotas that must be met or be considered either a ceiling or a floor for the selection of particular groups as apprentices. Quotas are expressly forbidden.

DWD 296.06(3)(b) (b) Utilization goals may not provide a sponsor with a justification to extend a preference to any individual, select an individual, or adversely affect an individual’s status as an apprentice, on the basis of that individual’s race, sex, or ethnicity.

DWD 296.06(3)(c) (c) Utilization goals shall not create set-asides for specific groups and are not intended to achieve proportional representation or equal results.

DWD 296.06(3)(d) (d) Utilization goals may not be used to supersede eligibility requirements for apprenticeship. Affirmative action programs prescribed in this chapter do not require sponsors to select an individual who lacks qualifications to participate in the registered apprenticeship program successfully or select a less-qualified person in preference to a more qualified one.

DWD 296.06 History History: CR 19-003: cr. Register September 2019 No. 765, eff. 10-1-19; correction in (3) (intro.) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register September 2019 No. 765.

DWD 296.07 DWD 296.07 Utilization goals for individuals with disabilities.

DWD 296.07(1) (1) Utilization goal. The department has established a utilization goal of 7 percent for employment of qualified individuals with disabilities as apprentices for each major occupation group within each sponsor’s registered apprenticeship program. The utilization goal established in this subsection shall act as a benchmark against which a sponsor shall measure the representation of individuals with disabilities in the sponsor’s registered apprenticeship program by major occupation group. The goal serves as an equal opportunity objective that is attainable by complying with all of the affirmative action requirements in this chapter.

DWD 296.07(2) (2) Utilization analysis. A utilization analysis is designed to evaluate the representation of individuals with disabilities in a sponsor’s registered apprenticeship program grouped by major occupation. If individuals with disabilities are represented in a sponsor’s registered apprenticeship program in any given major occupation at a rate less than the utilization goal of 7 percent, the sponsor shall take specific measures prescribed under subs. (6) and (7).

DWD 296.07(3) (3) Process. A sponsor shall analyze the representation of individuals within their registered apprenticeship program by occupation. A sponsor shall group all apprentices according to occupational titles represented in a sponsor’s registered apprenticeship program. For each occupation represented, a sponsor shall identify the number of apprentices with disabilities.

DWD 296.07(4) (4) Schedule of evaluation. A sponsor shall conduct the apprentice workforce analysis at each compliance review and again when three years have passed without a compliance review. The updated workforce analysis shall be compared to the utilization goal established under sub. (1).

DWD 296.07(5) (5) Compliance date.

DWD 296.07(5)(a) (a) A sponsor with a registered apprenticeship program as of January 18, 2018 shall conduct a workforce analysis under this section no later than 2 years after January 18, 2018.

DWD 296.07(5)(b) (b) A sponsor registering an apprenticeship program after January 18, 2018 shall conduct its initial workforce analysis under this section no later than 2 years after the date of registration.

DWD 296.07(6) (6) Identification of problem areas. When a sponsor, working with the department, determines the percentage of individuals under sub. (3) is less than the utilization goal established under sub. (1), the sponsor shall take steps to determine if impediments to equal opportunities exist and where impediments to equal opportunity exist. In making this determination, a sponsor shall look at the results of its assessment of personnel processes required under s. DWD 296.09 and the effectiveness of its outreach and recruitment efforts required under s. DWD 296.08, if applicable.

DWD 296.07(7) (7) Action-oriented programs. A sponsor shall undertake action-oriented programs, including targeted outreach, recruitment, and retention activities identified in s. DWD 296.08, designed to correct any problem areas that a sponsor identified pursuant to the review of personnel processes and outreach and recruitment efforts.

DWD 296.07(8) (8) Utilization goal relation to discrimination. A determination that a sponsor has not attained the utilization goal established under sub. (1) in one or more major occupation groups does not constitute a finding or admission of discrimination in violation of this chapter.

DWD 296.07(9) (9) Utilization goal not a quota or ceiling. The utilization goal established under sub. (1) shall not be used as a quota or ceiling that limits or restricts the employment of individuals with disabilities as apprentices.

DWD 296.07 History History: CR 19-003: cr. Register September 2019 No. 765, eff. 10-1-19; correction in (1) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., and correction in (2) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register September 2019 No. 765.

DWD 296.08 DWD 296.08 Targeted outreach, recruitment, and retention.

DWD 296.08(1) (1) Minimum activities required. A sponsor that has found underutilization and established a utilization goal for a specific group under s. DWD 296.06 or 296.07 shall undertake targeted outreach, recruitment, and retention activities that are likely to generate an increase in applications for apprenticeship and improve retention of apprentices from the targeted group or from individuals with disabilities. A sponsor under this section shall conduct all of the following:

DWD 296.08(1)(a) (a) In the written affirmative action plan, identify the specific targeted outreach, recruitment, and retention activities planned for the upcoming program year. These activities shall include all of the following:

DWD 296.08(1)(a)1. 1. Distribution of information to organizations serving the underutilized group regarding the nature of apprenticeship, requirements for selection for apprenticeship, availability of apprenticeship opportunities, and the equal opportunity pledge of the sponsor.

DWD 296.08 Note Note: Examples of these organizations include community-based organizations, local high schools, local community colleges, local vocational, career, and technical schools, and local workforce system partners including job centers.

DWD 296.08(1)(a)2. 2. Advertising openings for apprenticeship opportunities by publishing advertisements in appropriate media which have wide circulation in the relevant recruitment areas.

DWD 296.08(1)(a)3. 3. Cooperating with local school boards and the vocational education system to develop or establish relationships with pre-apprenticeship programs targeting students from the underutilized group to prepare them to meet the standards and criteria required to qualify for entry into apprenticeship programs.

DWD 296.08(1)(a)4. 4. Establishing linkage agreements or partnerships enlisting the assistance and support of pre-apprenticeship programs, community-based organizations, advocacy organizations, or other appropriate organizations, in recruiting qualified individuals for apprenticeship.

DWD 296.08(1)(b) (b) Evaluate and document, after every selection cycle for registering apprentices, the overall effectiveness of the activities.

DWD 296.08(1)(c) (c) Refine targeted outreach, recruitment, and retention activities as needed.

DWD 296.08(1)(d) (d) Maintain records of the targeted outreach, recruitment, and retention activities and records related to the evaluation of these activities.

DWD 296.08(2) (2) Other activities. In addition to the activities in sub. (1), sponsors are encouraged to consider other outreach, recruitment, and retention activities that may assist sponsors in addressing any barriers to equal employment opportunity in its registered apprenticeship program. These activities may include any of the following:

DWD 296.08(2)(a) (a) Enlisting the use of journeyworkers from the underutilized group to assist in the implementation of a sponsor’s affirmative action program.

DWD 296.08(2)(b) (b) Enlisting the use of journeyworkers from the underutilized group to mentor apprentices and to assist a sponsor’s targeted outreach and recruitment activities.

DWD 296.08(2)(c) (c) Conducting exit interviews of each apprentice who leaves the sponsor’s registered apprenticeship program prior to receiving a certificate of completion to understand better why the apprentice is leaving the program and to help shape the sponsor’s retention activities.

DWD 296.08 History History: CR 19-003: cr. Register September 2019 No. 765, eff. 10-1-19.

DWD 296.09 DWD 296.09 Review of personnel processes.

DWD 296.09(1) (1) Annual review. A sponsor shall engage in an annual review of its personnel processes to ensure that the sponsor is operating a registered apprenticeship program free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), genetic information, and disability. A review under this section is required regardless of whether a sponsor is underutilized under s. DWD 296.05 and shall include a review of all aspects of the registered apprenticeship program at the program, industry, and occupational level, and include all of the following:

DWD 296.09(1)(a) (a) The qualifications for apprenticeship, application, and selection procedures.

DWD 296.09(1)(b) (b) Wages.

DWD 296.09(1)(c) (c) Outreach and recruitment activities.

DWD 296.09(1)(d) (d) Advancement opportunities.

DWD 296.09(1)(e) (e) Promotions.

DWD 296.09(1)(f) (f) Work assignments.

DWD 296.09(1)(g) (g) Job performance.

DWD 296.09(1)(h) (h) Rotations among all work processes of the occupation.

DWD 296.09(1)(i) (i) Disciplinary actions.

DWD 296.09(1)(j) (j) Handling of requests for reasonable accommodations.

DWD 296.09(1)(k) (k) The program’s accessibility to individuals with disabilities, including the use of information and communication technology.

DWD 296.09(2) (2) Compliance date.

DWD 296.09(2)(a) (a) A sponsor that has a registered apprenticeship program as of January 18, 2018, shall comply with the obligations under sub. (1) within 2 years of January 18, 2018.

DWD 296.09(2)(b) (b) A sponsor registered with the department after January 18, 2018, shall comply with the obligations of sub. (1) within 2 years after the date of registration.

DWD 296.09(3) (3) Modifications required. Any necessary modifications identified under sub. (1) shall be integrated into the sponsor’s written affirmative action plan to ensure that obligations under this section are met. A sponsor shall include a description of its review in the written affirmative action plan and identify in the written plan any modifications made, or the modifications to be made, to the program as a result of the review.

DWD 296.09 History History: CR 19-003: cr. Register September 2019 No. 765, eff. 10-1-19; correction in (2) (a) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register September 2019 No. 765.

DWD 296.10 DWD 296.10 Selection of apprentices.