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 HistoryHistory: 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(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 NoteNote: 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)(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 296.09(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: