If your registered apprentice is supporting a journeyworker in a different occupation, you may need approval to ensure the work arrangement meets program guidelines.
This article explains when a mismatch is allowed and how to request a review.
When Does an Occupation Mismatch Need Review?
A mismatch occurs when:
An apprentice is registered under one occupation
But is providing support to a journeyworker in another occupation
In these cases, we need to confirm that the apprentice’s duties still align with their registered occupation.
Information We Need From You
To review your request, please provide:
The apprentice’s registered occupation
The journeyworker occupation(s) they are supporting
A description of the duties being performed by the apprentice
Make sure the duties:
Fall within the apprentice’s occupation guidelines
Do not include specialized work specific to the journeyworker’s trade
Special Case: Construction Craft Laborers
There is one scenario where approval is typically granted immediately:
If a Construction Craft Laborer apprentice is:
Working under supervision
Providing general labor support (not performing specialized trade work)
They may support the following occupations:
Construction Equipment Operators
Carpenters (Form Builders)
Pipe Fitters
Electricians
Important:
Because electricians are part of a licensed trade, we will review the specific tasks being performed to ensure the apprentice is not doing electrician-specific work.
What Happens Next?
Once you submit the required information, we will:
Review your request internally
Determine whether the arrangement is compliant
You’ll receive one of the following outcomes:
Approval
Request for additional information
Rejection
If Your Request Is Approved
We will issue a Letter of Authorization, which you can share with Clients and/or
Auditors. A copy of this letter will be placed in your IRA Compliance Package folder.
This letter confirms that the apprentice is approved to receive supervised on-the-job training under the specified journeyworker occupation(s).
Tips for Faster Approval
Be specific when describing duties
Clearly separate support tasks from specialized trade work
Include all relevant occupations upfront to avoid delays
If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies, submit the details anyway. Our team will review and guide you on the next steps.