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Sen. Cicarella Praises Unanimous Senate Passage of Bill Creating More Opportunities for Skilled Trade Jobs

May 14, 2025

Sen. Cicarella Praises Unanimous Senate Passage of Bill Creating More Opportunities for Skilled Trade Jobs - CT Senate Republic

HARTFORD – Senior Deputy Republican Leader Paul Cicarella (R-North Haven), ranking member of the General Law Committee, today praised the Senate’s unanimous passage of his bipartisan co-sponsored measure (SB 1465) that will allow more apprentices to be trained under journeymen in Connecticut’s skilled trades. The bill aims to create more opportunities in the skilled trades and address the growing workforce shortage in the state.

“This bill is the result of true teamwork—from committee chairs to ranking members, union and nonunion stakeholders, and the Department of Consumer Protection. It has been a long time coming.

“These are great careers that offer a path to retirement, health benefits, and a strong future. The bill addresses the hurdles apprentices face when leaving tech schools and streamlines the process for companies to bring them on if they are acting in the best interest of the apprentice. It provides a clear, fast pathway through the Department of Consumer Protection for those who are good stewards of the profession. We need the next generation of trade professionals, and this bill helps get them to work,” said Sen. Cicarella.

Background

  • Currently, the Connecticut Department of Labor (DOL) administers the “Ratio Relief” process for exceptions to the state’s current and restrictive apprentice-to-journeyman ratio law.
  • SB 1465 proposes moving the apprenticeship Ratio Relief application process to the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), providing 1:1 ratio approval for up to eight journeymen, unless there are labor violations. Applications for jobs with more than nine journeymen will be reviewed by a board based on evidence.
  • The goal is to enable licensed contractors to hire additional apprentices with demonstrated need, even if they do not meet the current apprentice-to-journeyman ratio requirements.
  • Sen. Cicarella has worked on similar proposals since being elected to the senate in 2020, and collaborated with the state’s DCP, trade organizations, employers, and union leaders to produce this current piece of legislation.