Rep. Ackert Discusses National Apprenticeship Week on “Talk of Connecticut”
Posted on November 21, 2022
(HARTFORD) — On Monday November 21st, Rep. Tim Ackert (R-8) joined Gary Byron on “Talk of Connecticut” to discuss the importance of celebrating National Apprenticeship Week, as well as his plans to propose new legislation during the upcoming 2023 Legislative Session.
This year, National Apprenticeship Week fell between November 14th and 18th which celebrated the economic successes and value from Registered Apprenticeship throughout the country. More specifically in Connecticut, Rep. Ackert recognizes how apprenticeship programs within the 8th House District and across the state have served to fill the labor gap and generate a more skilled workforce.
Although the labor shortage in building and construction trades continues to decline with the increase of skilled apprentices, Rep. Ackert recognizes how current state hiring restrictions hinder the ability for many to become full-time employees.
“Concerning apprenticeships, Connecticut has implemented too many hiring restrictions,” said Rep. Ackert. “With the current hiring ratios instituted by the CT Department of Consumer Protection, more residents and skilled workers are having increased difficulty finding the necessary work connected to their trades.”
As referenced, hiring ratios were enacted to limit the number of skilled apprentices hired to a particular trade. In CT, these ratios more often concern the electrical; plumbing; heating, piping, and cooling; sprinkler fitting; and sheet metal working trades. Due to these hiring ratios, contractors with more demanding and tedious work find it more challenging to adequately hire professionals within a necessary timeframe.
Owner of Ackert Electric in Coventry, Rep. Ackert was recognized last October as Legislator of the Year by the Associated Builders and Contractors of Connecticut (CT ABC) and also awarded Legislator of the Year by the Independent Contractors of New England (IEC). With this acknowledged experience, Rep. Ackert knows firsthand how these hiring restrictions have personally impacted even his own business.
“Reforming apprenticeship hiring restrictions by investing in our hard infrastructure is the first step to support employers,” said Ackert. “Right now, the current administration seeks to diversify and modernize our CT workforce, and the best way to begin is by allowing more qualified apprentices to fill these current labor gaps.”
In 2021, Proposed House Bill 5889, An Act Amending the Hiring Ratios for Apprentices, was proposed with bipartisan support, however never received a public hearing. “While infrastructure investment remains a top priority to the General Assembly, it is imperative to send Governor Lamont a bill to bring the hiring ratio for these building trades in line with the proven 1-to-1 site ratio. The ultimate outcome of Gov. Lamont’s support would instantly create hundreds of rewarding careers in a fundamental part of our economy and workforce,” added Ackert.
“Talk of Connecticut” is on WDRC AM 1360 with Gary Byron during weekday mornings, which is known to feature various political guest including State Representatives, Senators, and candidates during the election season.