Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs)

An industry-recognized apprenticeship program (IRAP) is a new, customizable apprenticeship model validated by a proven industry accreditor called an SRE. It does not require registration with the Office of Apprenticeship or a State Apprenticeship Agency, but is recognized by a Standards Recognition Entity (SRE).

An SRE is an entity recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor as qualified to recognize IRAPs. An SRE is a trusted workforce development leader in its industry or in the industries it serves. Institute for American Apprenticeships was recognized as an SRE in 2020.

Institute for American Apprenticeships works with employers in New England and across the United States to deliver apprenticeship education for employers and to provide technical assistance to trade associations, employers and government agencies to expand the reach of apprenticeship as a workforce solution. 

To be recognized as an industry-recognized apprenticeship program, an IRAP must include the following elements:

• A written training plan
• A paid work component
• On-the-job training/work experience with supportive mentorship and supervision
• Related instruction
• Safe working environment and safety training
• Equal employment opportunity
• An industry-recognized credential

Approved Service Area(s): National

Supported Occupations: Please inquire using the Find Out More button above

Approved Industries:  Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | Utilities | Manufacturing | Wholesale Trade | Retail Trade | Transportation and Warehousing | Information | Finance and Insurance | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Management of Companies and Enterprises | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Educational Services | Health Care and Social Assistance | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | Accommodation and Food Services | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Public Administration 

IAA will  publish a list here of IRAPs that it has approved, along with credentials that the IRAP will provide to the apprentice upon successful completion. To date, there are no IRAP approvals to report.  

IAA does not currently charge a fee to the IRAPs it recognizes.  

It is the policy to, in all cases, address complaints against an IRAP with compassion and respect. Complaints should be resolved expeditiously, but in all cases within 45 calendar days of receiving the complaint. IAA will follow the below processes in addressing complaints against an IRAP:

1. Who May File a Complaint: Complaints against an IRAP can only be filed by apprentices, prospective apprentices, an apprentice’s authorized representative, a personnel certification body, or an employer.
2. Presentation of the Complaint: The complaint must be in writing and must set forth the specific matter(s) complained of, together with relevant facts and circumstances.
3. Complaint Form: We ask that you use the IRAP Complaint Form (link to form can be found at the bottom of this webpage) to file your complaint. If you are unable to use the form, please contact the IAA SRE Manager (link can be found at the end of this section) for assistance and to ensure that you submit all of the necessary information in the required timeframe.
4. Misconduct Sufficient to Support a Complaint: Misconduct sufficient to support a complaint shall include any violation of any statute or rule relating to the IRAP or of IAA’s IRAP policies and procedures for its IRAPs.
5. Timeframe for Filing a Complaint: Complaints must be submitted within 180 days from the complainant’s actual or constructive knowledge of the facts and circumstances giving rise to the complaint.
6. Receipt and Review of Complaints: Upon receipt of a complaint, IAA will acknowledge receipt of the complaint by written notification within ten (10) business days and will process the complaint in a timely fashion. For a more detailed description of the process and criteria used, please refer to the IAA Complaint Process document in the Downloads section at the bottom of this webpage.
7. Investigating Complaints: IAA will conduct a full and fair investigation of the facts surrounding the complaint. For more information regarding the process of investigating complaints and decisions on complaints, please refer to the IAA Complaint Process document in the Downloads section at the bottom of this webpage.

Along with the decision on the complaint, the SRE manager will inform the complainant and the IRAP as to their right to appeal to the Office of Apprenticeship and will provide information for how to do so. 

Complaints against IAA as an SRE are addressed exclusively through the review process outlined in 29 CFR 29.26, and may be filed by an apprentice, prospective apprentice, an apprentice’s authorized representative, a personnel certification body, an employer, an IRAP sponsor or any person authorized to file a complaint by 29 CFR 29.26. Complaints are filed with the Office of Apprenticeship using a form on DOL’s website. To learn more about the complaint process, go to https://www.apprenticeship.gov/help/there-process-complaints-against-sre or click on the link below.

To date, no complaints have been filed with IAA regarding any IRAP.