THE HOUSE of Representatives approved on third and final reading a measure that will revise and strengthen the country’s apprenticeship program.

Voting 253 against three, lawmakers approved House Bill 6523 or the proposed Revised National Apprenticeship Program Act.

Proponents of the bill aim to put in place more safeguards to protect apprentices from violations of labor laws and standards as well as strengthen linkages with existing education-to-employment policies and programs.

“It is hereby declared the policy of the State to establish a revised apprenticeship program that will ensure the availability of qualified manpower in the field of critical and in-demand technical skills through the active participation of all workers, enterprises, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations concerned,” the measure states.

HB 6523 also calls for improved benefits of apprentices such as training allowances equivalent to 75 percent of the minimum wage, disability and accident insurance, and exemption from probationary period for completers if absorbed by the same enterprise.

One of its key provisions is the creation of an apprenticeship contract and specifying important provisions that the contract must contain.

It also mandates penalties for enterprises with unregistered apprentices.

As for incentives for enterprises, the measure offers a special deduction from their gross taxable income of one-half of the labor training expenses incurred from the program.

“Every apprenticeship contract entered into under this Act shall be approved by the bipartite plant apprenticeship committee involving the firm owner and representatives of the firm workers. Copies of the apprenticeship contract shall be furnished to the firm owner and the apprentice,” the bill stated.

The bill designates the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority as the overall policy-making and standards-setting body assigned to implement, monitor and evaluate the national apprenticeship program, supplemented by the establishment of a Bipartite Plant Apprenticeship Committee in every enterprise.