Addressing the shortage of skilled labor impacting the County’s construction projects
Hillsborough County created the Construction Apprenticeship Incentive Program to address the shortage of skilled labor impacting the County’s construction projects, which result in project delays, additional expenses, and other challenges. The program is intended to increase the number of skilled workers available for County construction projects by incentivizing the use of apprentices and providing opportunities for training and experience that will assist in ensuring that a trained workforce will be available in the future.
The Apprenticeship Program was amended by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners as County Ordinance No. 23-14 on September 20, 2023.
Eligibility
Construction contracts funded by the County in an amount equal to or greater than $5,000,000.00 are eligible to participate in the Construction Apprenticeship Program, potentially qualifying for an Incentive payment on the contract’s completion.
Key terms
Incentive means a monetary payment or credit of 30% of the amount expended by a contractor or its subcontractor(s) on apprentice costs on a construction contract up to a maximum amount of $100,000.00 for a construction contract of less than $20,000,000.00 or up to a maximum amount of 200,000.00 for a construction contract equal to or exceeding $20,000,000.00.
Apprentice means any person who is enrolled and participating in an apprenticeship program registered with the Florida Department of Education or the United States Department of Labor, or a company-sponsored apprenticeship program approved by the Florida Department of Transportation.
Requirements
To receive an Incentive, no later than 30 calendar days from the final completion as defined in the associated Construction Contract, the Contractor shall:
Certify to the County Administrator that during the Construction Contract, the Contractor or its Subcontractor(s) used an Apprentice(s) on the Construction Contract; and
Provide the County Administrator with the following documentation, in a single package, that demonstrates the use of an Apprentice(s) on the Construction Contract and provides the Apprentice Cost.
Documentation must include the Contractor or its Subcontractor(s) contact information; Apprentice name(s); Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Data Systems (RAPIDS) registration number or Florida Department of Transportation’s On-the-Job Training identification data; certification from the Apprentice program that the Apprentice was in good standing during the Contract term; registered trade(s); and certified payroll reports for the Apprentice hours worked on the Contract showing the amount expended by the Contractor or its Subcontractors paying for work performed.
Resources
Hillsborough County: Ordinance No. 23-14
Florida Department of Education: Registered Apprenticeship
U.S. Department of Labor: Apprenticeship USA
Florida Department of Transportation: Onboard 4 Jobs
Contact
Hillsborough County Construction Apprenticeship Program (CAP): CAPAdmin@HCFL.gov