What's The Intent of The Program?
There is a shortage of skilled labor for construction projects. This shortage of labor could result in project delays, increased expenses, and other challenges to the County's future construction projects. Apprenticeship programs create opportunities for training and work experience that will assist in ensuring that a trained workforce will be available for future County construction projects. By requiring contractors to use apprentices for County construction contracts, it is the intent of the County to increase the number of apprentices used by contractors providing new employment opportunities for residents.
On May 7, 2019, Broward County Board of County Commissioners enacted an Ordinance establishing Apprenticeship participation requirements on County construction contracts over $5 million. The
Ordinance was amended on June 2, 2020 and the program started on April 5, 2021.
Program Requirements
The program requires vendors (contractors) bidding on applicable County construction projects to participate in an apprenticeship program registered with the Florida Department of Education or the United States Department of Labor.
How the Program Works
Effective April 5, 2021, County construction project solicitations will include the Construction Apprenticeship Program Requirements. The vendor bidding on the project must certify that they will participate in an apprenticeship program that is registered with the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) or the United States Department of Labor (USDOL). This requirement also applies to subcontractors. For more information about the program review the Ordinance.
Required Documentation for Contractors
As per the approved Ordinance:
- The contractor must prepare, submit, and certify, on a monthly basis for the duration of the construction contract, accurate and timely records identifying the name, hourly rate, and trade classification of each apprentice, the cumulative number of hours worked on the project to date by apprentices, and the labor hours of all workers used by the contractor and each subcontractor on the construction project.
- The contractor must require that each of its subcontractors prepare, maintain, and certify, for submittal by the contractor to the County, accurate and timely records identifying, for such subcontractor, the name, hourly rate, trade classification, labor hours for apprentices used by the subcontractor on the construction project, and labor hours of all workers used by the subcontractor on the construction project.
Noncompliance. Failure of a contractor to comply with the requirements of this article may subject the contractor to all remedies available to the County at law, including but not limited to debarment or suspension of the contractor from consideration for the award of future contracts, and termination of the construction contract.
