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Bill would let high‑demand apprenticeship program sponsor apprentices directly to expand access
Summary
Sen. Dixon proposed SB 180 to allow registered apprenticeship sponsors to sponsor apprentices directly under Georgia’s High Demand Apprenticeship Program, a change supporters say will broaden access where individual employers cannot sponsor more apprentices.
Senator Dixon presented Senate Bill 180 to amend the High Demand Apprenticeship Program (created by SP 379 in 2022) so that the apprenticeship sponsor (for example, a registered apprenticeship program or sponsor) may sponsor apprentices directly rather than requiring each apprentice to secure an employer sponsor before program participation.
Dixon said the change would broaden access because students sometimes lack direct connections to employers, and some employers have a statutory limit on the number of apprentices they may sponsor in a given year. Committee members asked whether the term "apprenticeship sponsor" is defined in state code; Representative Park later confirmed the Legislative Counsel/records show the definition ties sponsors to programs registered and approved by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship. Dixon said the change was intended to help match students with a list of participating employers coordinated by the sponsoring program.
Members discussed program sunset language (the underlying code cited a repeal effective July 1, 2027) and requested input from TCSG; Dixon and supporters said the program had proven useful for high‑demand occupations such as electricians, HVAC and construction. Employer testimony (Masa Porak, CEO of Southern Electric Company; representatives of the Independent Electrical Contractors Association) supported flexibility to grow the apprentice pipeline, noting apprenticeship combines classroom hours and on‑the‑job training (example cited: 144 classroom hours per year and 2,000 on‑the‑job hours per year for electrical apprentices). Porak said the IEC program results in journeyman requirements and can lead to business ownership.
Ending: As a hearing item, SB 180 drew industry support and committee questions about definitions, sunset dates and connections to TCSG. No vote was taken; committee members asked for continued collaboration and technical follow‑up with TCSG and program sponsors.
