The Department of Labor (DOL) has proposed a rule to rescind affirmative action and equal employment requirements for registered apprenticeship sponsors.
If adopted, the rule would eliminate currently required affirmative action components, meaning sponsors would no longer have to submit written affirmative action programs or written selection standards. Instead, sponsors would agree to comply with applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws.
While the rule continues to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, genetic information, and disability, it omits sexual orientation as a protected characteristic.
The revisions also limit the enforcement power of the Office of Apprenticeship. Sponsors could be deregistered only after a final determination by a court or enforcement entity.