Do you know about the “Skilled Workforce” Amendment and California SB 785 recently approved? As leaders in the masonry industry you know how important this is. This is great for you all who are joined with MITA. For now and for the immediate future, it’s critical to keep MITA adult students and high school trainees learning pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship skills. MITA Board Member Gina Adams requests this be shared:
“Very important information about future labor!! Please read this article on SB 785 from our local AGC San Diego chapter. This could be very beneficial to MITA members who graduate Journeymen Bricklayer/masons through our program. There are many Journeymen who actually never went through any state or federal program. That’s where the trouble is going to be. This paragraph below says it all. ”
~ Gina Adams, RCP Block & Brick Architectural Representative
Read the whole story:
AGC Monday Morning Quarterback by Jim Ryan, AGC Chief Executive Officer
“Probably one of the most controversial provisions in SB 785 resulted from amendments that were successfully offered by the Building Trades. The Building Trades insisted on a “skilled workforce” amendment. This provision requires GC’s and subcontractor/specialty contractors working on SB 785 approved design build projects to employ a specific number of journeyman per craft on each project that are graduates of a State or Federally approved apprenticeship program.”
▫ Beginning in Jan 1, 2016, 20% of the journeyman on these projects must be graduates of such programs.
▫ On Jan. 1, 2017, the number is 30%.
▫ On Jan. 1, 2018 it’s 40%.
▫ On Jan. 1, 2019 it’s 50%.
▫ On Jan. 1, 2020 it’s 60%.
The legislation covers the following agencies:
▫ The California Departments of General Series and Department of Corrections. Caltrans is not covered, but continues to be covered by previous design build authorization until it sunsets in 2023.
▫ All cities and counties in California.
▫ Special districts that operate wastewater facilities, solid waste management facilities, water recycling facilities, and fire protection facilities.
▫ Certain specific hospitals, and the Port of San Diego
▫ Any transit district and consolidated transit agency, and joint powers authorities, operating under a portion of the Public Utilities Code as well as local or regional agencies responsible for construction of transit projects.
▫ In addition, the Design Build legislation that had previously been passed for school districts, community colleges, as well as the CSU and UC Systems remains in place.
The passage of this bill was a two year effort by the AGC Chapters in California (AGC California and AGC San Diego) with assistance from the Design Build Institute of America (DBIA).”