Nearly two and a half years after the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) became law, developers and contractors continue to adjust to the new normal for renewable energy projects: compliance with prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements. As most renewable industry participants are aware, under the IRA, compliance with these requirements is necessary to realize the full value of federal investment tax credits, production tax credits, and commercial buildings’ energy efficiency tax deductions.

On January 13, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor certified National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards, developed jointly by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). The first set of guidelines are for the occupation of construction craft laborer, but guidelines for other occupations commonly utilized by solar companies are under development.

The new guidelines establish a framework for developing registered apprenticeship programs that will have common standards to ensure that apprentices across the country receive a baseline of similar education and training, while also providing space for any specific training required by a geographic area. They are presented as “a blueprint for developing an apprenticeship program” and focus on the following eight components:

1. The Apprenticeship Approach – utilizes a time-based approach (as opposed to competency-based or hybrid) focusing on the apprentice’s skill acquisition through completion of on-the-job learning and related instruction tasks and corresponding hour requirements.
2. Term of Apprenticeship – establishes the duration — number of hours of on-the-job learning (2000 hours annually; 4000 hours total) and related instruction (144 hours annually; 300 hours total) — that must be completed by an apprentice to complete the program.
3. Ratio of Apprentices to Journey workers – uses a 1:1 apprentice-to-journey worker ratio (this may vary by project location and state law).
4. Apprentice Wage Schedule – provides a general template for wage increases at defined intervals as apprentices progress through the program and gain knowledge/skills (to be filled in by a registered apprenticeship program sponsor).
5. Probationary Period – notes that programs should require a probationary period that should not exceed the lesser of one year or 25% of the apprenticeship term (term to be filled in by a registered apprenticeship program sponsor).
6. Selection Procedures – notes that program sponsors have flexibility to determine selection procedures so long as they are consistent with general nondiscrimination obligations and federal Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures (i.e., no discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or age, and compliance with equal opportunity requirements of Title 29 of the CFR, part 30).
7. Work Process Schedule for On-the-Job Learning – outlines a work process schedule for on-the-job learning tasks to be completed by apprentices to demonstrate proficiency that must be satisfied before a completion certificate can be awarded. For construction craft laborers, supervised work experience is devoted to safety and work habits (400 hours), use and care of tools/equipment (600 hours), construction activities (2,000 hours), preparation and quality assurance (600 hours), and code/drawing review and utilization (400 hours).
8. Related Instruction – describes coursework on theoretical and technical subjects to be completed by apprentices (minimum of 175 hours of core skill training and 125 hours of elective coursework). Solar-specific instruction in the elective section includes 20 hours for introduction to solar construction, 10 hours for solar site assessment study, 40 hours on solar design and installation, eight hours on utility vegetation management, four hours on erosion control, 20 hours on renewable energy systems, and eight hours on battery basics. It provides for other educational methods, including classroom/online/self-study courses for apprentices (each program must include at least 144 hours of related instruction annually).

Overall, the National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards provide additional, practical guidance and support for contractors committed to creating high-quality apprenticeship programs compliant with IRA requirements.