Apprenticeship Premium Credit
May 29, 2018
There is a growing demand for trade careers in the US. Apprenticeship programs are becoming more popular and are a modern approach to creating a strong workforce for the future. Adding further value, there are now premium credit programs available making apprenticeships more appealing to business leaders recruiting the next generation of workers.
According to the Department of Workforce of Development an apprenticeship is post-secondary education like a college or university. But there’s a big difference. Apprentices learn only a portion of their skills in a traditional classroom. They receive most of their training on-the-job, while working for an employer who pays a good wage. The employment is the primary requirement for an apprenticeship – a job must exist in order for the apprentice to be trained. The classroom instruction is usually provided through the Wisconsin Technical College system. Learn more.
The program provides for a 2% premium credit for employers participating in the work-based learning program through the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards (WBAS). Maximum credit allowed is $2,500.
According to the Wisconsin Compensation Rating Bureau (WCRB) the program is:
1. Optional for policies written in the voluntary market, mandatory in the Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation Insurance Pool. Carriers intending not to participate in the program must opt out of participation by completing the carrier election form found on the WCRB web site. NOTE: The opt out election is effective for at least one year and must be applied uniformly to all worker’s compensation policies. Any change to the above election must be filed with the WCRB prior to implementation.
2. Employer directed. The employer must notify their carrier that they are eligible for the credit and provide evidence of participation in a work-based learning program administered by the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards (WBAS) for a minimum of 6 months. This program is not restricted to construction classes.
3. Restricted to work-based learning programs administered by WBAS. No other apprenticeship programs are eligible for the credit.
4. Does not apply to minimum premium policies and cannot reduce premium lower than the applicable minimum premium.
5. Verified at audit. If the employer becomes ineligible for the credit at audit, any credit applied at the inception of the current policy will be removed.
6. Effective with polices with effective dates of 10-1-18 or later.
Contact a member of our team or your RRA agent for more information. Our Agents