To gain approval, an equal employment opportunity plan must include the following specific provisions for outreach and recruitment criteria:

(1) To increase minority and female participation in apprenticeship, program sponsors are expected to strengthen program outreach and recruitment efforts. The equal employment opportunity plan must specify the activities they will use to achieve this result.

(2) The program sponsor is not necessarily required to include all of the listed activities in its equal employment opportunity program. The WSATC, when approving the sponsor's equal employment opportunity plan, will determine the number of specific activities a sponsor must implement to satisfy this outreach and recruitment requirement. The WSATC will consider all circumstances including the size and type of the program and its resources. When special circumstances exist, the WSATC may provide financial or other assistance it deems necessary to implement the requirements of this section from any funds made available to it for such purpose.

(3) Examples of positive outreach and recruitment activities are:

(a) Distributing information about the nature of apprenticeship programs, program admission requirements, current apprenticeship opportunities, sources of apprenticeship applications, and the equal opportunity policy of the sponsor.

For programs only accepting applications at specific intervals, such information shall be disseminated at least thirty calendar days in advance of each application date. For programs that accept applications throughout the year, this information must be distributed at least semiannually.

To be effective, the information described in this section must be given to the WSATC, local schools, employment service offices, women's centers, outreach programs and community organizations which effectively reach minorities and women. Also it must be published in newspapers which are circulated in the minority community and among women as well as the general areas in which the program sponsor operates.

(b) Participating in workshops conducted by employment service agencies, school districts, and community based organizations to increase apprenticeship program awareness of apprenticeship opportunities.

(c) Cooperating with local school districts, vocational education systems, and school employees to develop programs for preparing students to meet the standards and criteria required to qualify for entry into apprenticeship programs.

(d) Increasing awareness of a sponsor's equal opportunity policy within the sponsor's organization. The goal of this increased awareness within the sponsor's organization is to foster understanding, acceptance, and support among the sponsor's various officers, supervisors, employees, employers, and members. This is to encourage the necessary active assistance in achieving the program's obligations required by these rules.

(e) Participating in existing outreach programs whose focus is the recruitment and preparation of minority and female apprenticeship applicants. Whenever possible, these should provide applicants with pretesting experience and training.

(f) Developing outreach programs whose focus is the recruitment and preparation of minority and female apprenticeship applicants. If apprenticeship outreach programs do not exist, the sponsor should attempt to develop them. This effort may require working with other sponsors and appropriate community organizations. It may require obtaining financial assistance from the WSATC. Also, the sponsor shall initiate programs that prepare and encourage women to enter traditionally male dominated apprenticeship programs and occupations.

(g) Encouraging the development and use of programs for apprenticeship preparation education or other work related experiences that prepare candidates for apprenticeship.

(h) Granting to all applicants, without prejudice, advance standing or credit for previously acquired experience, training, skills, or aptitude.

(i) Engaging in other activities to ensure that the recruitment, selection, employment, and training of apprentices without discrimination based upon race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, or as otherwise specified by law. Some examples of these activities include:

(i) General publication of advertisements, industry reports, articles on apprenticeship opportunities and advantages.

(ii) Use minority and female apprentices and journey-level workers as recruiters.

(iii) Provide career counseling to prospective applicants.

(iv) Periodically audit equal employment opportunity programs to see if goals are being met.

(v) Develop monitoring procedures to ensure that employers are granting equal employment opportunities to apprentices (these procedures may include reporting systems, on-site reviews, or briefing sessions).