ANSWER: California has the most complicated of any state when it comes to apprenticeship on public works project. California has established a 20% apprenticeship ratio on all public works projects over $30,000. That is for every 5 journeyman hours worked, there should be 1 apprentice hour worked. That is universal across all trades which have an approved apprenticeship committee, with a few exceptions: Operating Engineers, contractors who are signatory to the Laborer’s union and trucking.
For Operating Engineers (OE), the DIR per person ratio approved by the DIR, changes from Northern California to Southern California. In Northern California an apprentice is not required to be requested unless and until there are 4 journeyman OEs on the project at one time. Then, that 5th OE to the project should be an apprentice (assuming one is available). For Southern California the rule is 5 OE journeyman before an apprentice is requested.
CCMI’s recommendation is that you still send your DAS-140 to register the project, but do not send a DAS-142 until you reach the ratio set forth above. Sending a DAS-142 requesting zero apprentices is invalid. Just be aware of how many operating engineers you have on your project at one time, then request your apprentice (DAS-142) once you hit those ratios. To review these exemptions for yourself, go to: https://www.dir.ca.gov/DAS/RatioExemption.htm
This per person exemption only applies to Operating Engineers who are operating equipment and not to inspectors, surveyors or material testers.
