Senate Passes Apprenticeship Hiring Reforms

The state Senate unanimously passed legislation May 14 that allows skilled trades companies held to the 3:1 apprenticeship hiring ratio to apply for an exemption.

SB 1465 allows eligible small businesses to apply to the Department of Consumer Protection for an exemption and hire additional apprentices at a 1:1 ratio.

That represents a significant deviation from a broken system that has led to a significant workforce development issue in the trades over the last several years. 

Current law in Connecticut mandates a 1:1 jobsite ratio, requiring one journeyperson or contractor on-site for each apprentice across the vast majority of registered trades. 

However, the electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, piping, and sheet metal occupations are held to a 3:1 ratio, severely limiting workforce development and the state’s housing, infrastructure, and electric grid needs.

The push for apprenticeship hiring ratio relief comes after several years of efforts from the skilled trades industry to overhaul the ratio and get more young aspiring apprentices into the workforce. 

Broad Issue Support

Initially, legislation addressing the hiring ratio was raised in the Commerce Committee, with HB 6786 removing the 3:1 hiring ratio across the board and replacing it with a 1:1 ratio. 

The committee held a public hearing in February related to the bill, which addressed a 2025 CBIA policy priority regarding apprenticeship ratios.

The original concept, introduced by Rep. Jill Barry (D-Glastonbury) and sponsored by a bipartisan group of legislators, received overwhelming support from businesses, apprentices and aspiring apprentices, journeymen, parents, legislators, and construction groups.

The original concept received overwhelming support from businesses, apprentices and aspiring apprentices, journeymen, parents, legislators, and construction groups.

Barry and Rep. Tim Ackert (R-Coventry), a small electrical company business owner, testified in support of the bill. 

Organizations such as CBIA, Homebuilders and Remodelers Association of Connecticut, Independent Electrical Contractors of New England, Connecticut Heating and Cooling Contractors Association, and Associated Builders and Contractors of Connecticut testified in support of the bill.

Rep. Stephen Meskers (D-Greenwich) and Sen. Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury) took a lead role in drafting the initial legislation, focusing on ensuring the adjustment to the apprenticeship hiring ratio was grounded in safety and through data-driven analysis.

Exemption Program

The General Law Committee also released similar legislation, with Sen. Paul Cicarella (R-North Branford) leading a bipartisan support for the SB 1465, which was approved unanimously.

Based on the bill, contractors can submit a waiver to DCP that provides basic entity information and proof of the need to hire additional apprentices.

DCP is then required to respond to the request to grant the contractor the ability to hire additional apprentices within 10 days.

“Adjusting the apprenticeship hiring ratio a step forward in addressing Connecticut’s construction workforce shortage.”

CBIA’s Paul Amarone

Companies can hire up to eight apprentices at the 1:1 ratio through the waiver exemption program. 

Previous law directed contractors to submit exemptions to the ratio through the Department of Labor, with no mandated response timeline, leading to several cases of aspiring apprentices being waitlisted and in some cases leaving the industry.

“Adjusting the apprenticeship hiring ratio in the five skilled trades held to the existing ratio is a step forward in addressing Connecticut’s construction workforce shortage,” CBIA ‘s Paul Amarone said.

SB 1465 now awaits action in the House. The legislative session adjourns June 4.

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For more information, contact CBIA’s Paul Amarone (860.244.1978).