point of view: issues in licensure and apprenticeship in the av industry melissa taggart vice...
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Point of View:Issues in Licensure and Apprenticeship in the AV Industry
Melissa TaggartVice President of Education andWorkforce DevelopmentInfoComm International
Welcome to Point of View Series
Highlights information about issues impacting the audiovisual industry and provides a forum for InfoComm to share the association’s viewpoints.
Apprenticeship and Licensure Experts
Alfred T. DeMaria, Esq., Clifton Budd & DeMaria, LLP
Richard E. Reed, RCDD/OSP specialist InfoComm International’s Government Relations
Questions this POV Will Answer
SOC Codes What is a SOC Code?
Which SOC Codes Apply to the AV Industry?
How are SOC Codes Used?
Why do SOC Codes Matter?
Questions this POV Will Answer
Apprenticeships
Will apprenticeships help get me business?
Will apprenticeships allow me to pay lower wages?
Will apprenticeships give me access to federal grants and funds?
Will apprenticeships help me save on workmen’s compensation costs?
Questions this POV Will Answer
Licensure
How do I find out if I need a state license?
What is certification and how does it relate to licensure?
Will a specific certification substitute for state licensing or help me get licensed?
What is a SOC Code?
The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) System was developed to allow
government agencies and private industry to produce comparable data.
SOC Codes
The SOC classifies workers at 4 levels:
Major group
Minor group
Broad occupation
Detailed occupation
SOC Codes
There is no relationship between SOC codes and a certification, apprentice job or
classification requiring a license
What Are The AV Industry SOC Codes?
InfoComm secured the following SOC Codes from the Department of Labor:
27-4000 -- Media and Communication Equipment Workers
27-4011 is Audio and Video Equipment Technicians
• 27-4011.00A -- Audiovisual Communications Installation Technician
• 27-4011.00B -- Audiovisual Communications Systems Designer
• 27.4011.00C -- Audiovisual Communications Rental & Staging Technician
Why are SOC Codes Useful?
Place on job descriptions Learn how in the new InfoComm BusinessKit CD
The Department of Labor statistics may eventually have data for comparisons of salaries or wage rates
Because of the new SOC Codes, InfoComm is included in the 2006-2007 DOL Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, used by career counselors and economists, to create more industry awareness.
SOC Codes and Workmen’s Compensation
There is no benefit using SOC codes for Workers’ Compensation premiums
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training and related instruction in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation. Apprenticeship programs can be sponsored by individual employers, joint employer and labor groups, and/or trade associations.
-- US Department of Labor
Will An Apprenticeship Program Help Me Get Business?
We have not encountered any situation where having apprentices used as part of the employer’s work staff has assisted the employer in obtaining new business.
Apprenticeship Reality Check
Most purchasers of AV services are not interested in whether or not apprentices
will be employed, but in the performance of the contract.
Will an Employee Apprenticeship Program Help Me Pay Lower Wages?
Most employers that hire apprentices do so to meet the ratio of journeymen to apprentices that is usually required to meet union contracts.
No Union Contract? No Need for a Costly Apprenticeship Program!
Should The Industry Encourage Apprenticeship?
Mandatory Apprenticeship Programs will subject the AV Industry to Onerous Government
Regulations
The Cost of Apprenticeship Programs
All apprentices must meet stringent requirements established by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Apprenticeship Training or a parallel state apprenticeship agency recognized by DOL. These paperwork requirements are extensive and EXPENSIVE.
There is a reason why industries spend billions of dollars trying to get deregulated!
Don’t let fear of being “left behind” convince you to leave behind your business sense!
What Will an Apprenticeship Program Cost Me?
Apprenticeship programs are highly regulated by the Government It involves voluminous record keeping,
company dedication of personnel to conduct the apprentice training, and adhering to a host of regulatory requirements.
Any approved apprenticeship program can be adopted by unions as a means to secure more work
Does the Law Require Me to Hire Apprentices?
The Davis Bacon Act, the federal prevailing rate of wage program for federal jobs and
related state laws do not require employers to hire apprentices.
Does the Government Have Plans to Require Apprenticeship?
This session the states and Congress will consider over 170,000 pieces of legislation.
Over 30,000 will be approved*. So far, no bills have been introduced to make apprenticeship
mandatory.
*Source: State Net
Is Apprenticeship Needed to Ensure a Skilled Workforce?
Apprenticeships are just one of many options for employers seeking to ensure a skilled base of employees. These include quality certification programs that are approved by the independent Certification organizations.
Should Apprenticeship Be Mandatory?
All levels of government should avoid instituting any required apprenticeship
programs, as the regulatory requirements would be unnecessarily burdensome.
Will an Apprenticeship Program Help Me Secure Federal Funds?
According to the Director of Apprenticeship for the State of Virginia, over 99% of companies participating in apprenticeship programs do not receive funding.
“You have to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? ” – Dirty Harry
What is Licensure?
“A license is a legal credential obtained by an individual or business, usually issued by a government agency, which is required to perform work in a particular trade and/or jurisdiction.”
What is Certification?
Certification is a process, often voluntary, by which acknowledgment is accorded to individuals who demonstrate a level of knowledge and skill required in a profession or skill set. Certification is typically qualified and issued by a trade organization or manufacturer.
Will An Employee Apprenticeship Program Help Me Become Licensed by the State?
If a state adopts an apprenticeship program, it may then require it for licensure. However, no states require AV apprenticeship. And no state legislation has been introduced to do so.
InfoComm endorses the concept of licensure and seeks to ensure it is an open and fair process based on knowledge and skills pertinent to the industry.
What is the Link Between Apprenticeship and Certification?
None!Certification does not approach the status of licensure since it is voluntary, and accorded to individuals who demonstrate a level of knowledge and skill required in a profession or skill set. A license is a legal credential.
Can a Specific Certification Get Me Licensed in My State?
Certification is not a substitute for licensure. However, if the licensure is based on the
knowledge and skills needed in the industry then certification can be a process to help individuals
study for the licensure test.
How Can I Find Out My State Licensing Requirements?
Visit the State-by-State Licensing Database on the Government Relations Section of www.infocomm.org or call Dick Reed at 717.795.9373.
Look out for InfoComm Member Government Relations Email Alerts for new legislative or regulatory action in your specific state.
Call InfoComm for more information. Contact information for Dick Reed and Betsy Jaffe is available on the Government Relations section of the website.
How Can I Determine if A Certification Program Meets My Company’s Needs?
Experience in Offering Certification
Recognized by Outside Certification Organizations
Complies with certification best practices
Known Internationally
Attend the next POV Webinar to learn more.
Future Point of View Webinars
Thank you for joining us today. Save the date for:
May 3rd : Certification
July 20th : Best Practices
September 6th: MasterFormat™
Melissa Taggart
VP of Education & Workforce Development
703-273-7200