Calling Vendors For Construction Apprenticeship Program: County

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Construction training through an apprenticeship program offered by Hillsborough County begins in September.

All new county-funded construction projects estimated to cost $1 million or more will provide training opportunities and experience for people in the program. The training goal is to increase the number of skilled workers available for county construction projects.

Hillsborough County bids out millions of dollars in construction projects each year and recognizes the benefits gained with the enhancement of a skilled workforce through the educational opportunities inherent in apprenticeship programs, according to officials.

The Construction Apprenticeship Program requires at least 12 percent of labor hours on projects that meet the program’s criteria be performed by apprentices employed by the contractor or subcontractor.

Several one-hour online training sessions for Construction Apprenticeship Program are being offered in August and September. Training sessions are free, but advance registration is required. The vendor training sessions will cover bid submission and required documents, program reporting requirements, circumstances under which exemptions could be granted and apprenticeship program resources.

Online training session dates and links to register:

• Thursday, Aug. 26 - 10 to 11 a.m.
• Monday, Aug. 30 - 10 to 11 a.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 2 - 10 to 11 a.m.
• Tuesday, Sept. 7 - 10 to 11 a.m.

With certain exceptions, vendors bidding on construction projects estimated to cost $1 million or more must certify they will participate in an apprenticeship program registered with the Florida Department of Education or the U.S. Department of Labor, the county said.

The requirement also applies to subcontractors.  If a Florida Department of Education or U.S. Department of Labor program for that trade does not exist, a company may be allowed to use a company-sponsored training program or an industry certification training program.

For more information about the program, email CAPadmin@HCFLGov.net, call 813-272-5790, or review the full Construction Apprenticeship Program Ordinance.