Equal opportunity and workforce programs | On-the-job training program
On-the-job training program FAQs for contractors
To provide training and improve the skills of minorities, women and disadvantaged persons so they have access and the opportunity to perform skilled trade jobs and reach journey-level positions in highway construction.
Per 23 CFR 230.111, the State highway agency shall determine which Federal-aid highway construction contracts shall include the “Training Special Provisions” (appendix B) and the minimum number of trainees to be specified therein after giving appropriate consideration to the guidelines set forth in §230.111(c).
An individual must be a minority, woman or otherwise disadvantaged person. An individual cannot be a trainee in any classification in which they have been employed as a journeyperson or is considered skilled in all areas of that classification.
A federally funded project that is estimated to be 100 working days or more and at least $1 million per the engineer's estimate.
The following guidelines are used by MnDOT:
- Availability of minorities, women and disadvantaged persons for training
- The potential for effective training
- Duration of the contract
- Dollar value of the contract
- Total normal workforce that the average bidder could be expected to use
- Geographic location
- Type of work
- The need for additional journeypersons in the area
- Recognition of the suggested minimum goal for the state
- A satisfactory ratio of trainees to journeypersons expected to be on the contractor’s workforce during normal operations
Review the OJT section of contract (section 2041) or contact the MnDOT Equal Employment/Contract Compliance team.
If a contractor is in the OJT program, then the contractor must achieve the project-specific OJT goal set by MnDOT Office of Civil Rights. If a contractor is in the OJT alternative program, then the contractor must achieve the yearly trainee goal and yearly minimum hours goal established by MnDOT Office of Civil Rights.
To be counted as an OJT trainee, an employee must be a minority, woman or disadvantaged individual. The employee must be approved for the OJT program by MnDOT Office of Civil Rights. Enrollment as an apprentice is not based on demographics. Per the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, apprenticeship is a formal system of employee training that combines on-the-job training with related technical instruction. With apprenticeship training, there is a written contract between the apprentice and the sponsor, approved by and registered with the State of Minnesota (see https://www.dli.mn.gov/workers/be-apprentice/apprenticeship-information-and-faqs).
No.
Yes.
Contractors must submit an OJT Trainee Application each calendar year prior to the trainee start date or within 30 days of the trainee start date for each trainee.
The letter will include the name of the trainee, trade, whether the individual graduated from a MnDOT OJT Supportive Services program, effective approval/reimbursement date and hourly reimbursement amount.
Contact the assigned MnDOT Office of Civil Rights Equal Employment/Contract Compliance Specialist.
The prime contractor may be reimbursed:
- $1 per hour: approved OJT trainee
- $5 per hour: approved OJT trainee + graduate of MnDOT OJT Supportive Services program
- $10 per hour: approved OJT trainee + graduate of MnDOT OJT Supportive Services program + assigned a mentor
The timeframe for being an OJT trainee is consistent with the hours established by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. For trade-specific hours, see table below:
| Trade | Hours |
|---|---|
| Carpenter | 7,000 |
| Cement Mason | 6,000 |
| Crane Operator | 8,000 |
| Electrician | 8,000 |
| Iron Worker | 6,000 |
| Laborer | 4,000 |
| Operating Engineer | 4,000 |
| Painter | 6,000 |
| Pile Driver | 8,000 |
| Pipefitters | 8,750 |
| Truck Driver | 2,000 |
The prime contractor receives the OJT reimbursement.
Possibly, if there are project funds available after the OJT goal has been reached. Reimbursement may be provided at the discretion of the MnDOT project engineer for hours that exceed the OJT goal.
MnDOT partners with union training centers and a variety of organizations to provide training to individuals to work in highway construction. OJT Supportive Services training is also called workforce training. For further information visit the Office of Civil Rights Business and Program Development.
Request the Certificate of Completion from the trainee or contact the MnDOT Office of Civil Rights Business and Program Development staff.
- The hours worked in the trade that the trainee was approved in and
- The hours worked on or after the effective reimbursement date indicated on the OJT Trainee Approval Letter
Yes.