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Skilled and trained workforce reporting records
Skilled and trained workforce requirements need their own project review. Organize occupation, experience and apprenticeship records separately from the wage-rate information used to prepare payroll.
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General information, not legal or tax advice.
Determine whether the project requires this workforce standard
DIR’s October 2023 Public Works Manual says skilled and trained workforce rules apply to certain projects and can also be required by an awarding body. Public-works status does not itself decide coverage. Confirm the contract and current legal requirements with the awarding body or counsel before configuring a report.
Support each worker’s qualification
The manual describes skilled journeypersons through an approved apprenticeship graduation route or sufficient qualifying experience. It also describes use of registered apprentices for apprenticeable occupations. Maintain the evidence supplied for each worker’s status, occupation and program so the reviewer can examine qualifications independently of the payroll total.
Review occupation-specific graduation requirements
The manual states that most apprenticeable occupations use a 60% graduation requirement from January 1, 2020, while listed occupations retain 30% and teamsters are excluded. These are the manual’s dated rules. Have the applicable occupation and current requirement confirmed rather than applying a single percentage to every crew.
Assemble the monthly compliance record
DIR’s manual calls for monthly reports to the awarding body covering the contractor and subcontractors at every tier. As practical preparation, collect occupation-level hours and qualification evidence alongside each subcontractor’s response. Keep missing documents visible so the report preparer can follow up before certifying the project record.
Preserve the separate payroll response file
A workforce qualification report is not the same record as payroll evidence requested under Labor Code 1776. The verified statute gives a contractor 10 days after a written request to produce payroll records. Keep occupation and qualification files connected to, but distinguishable from, the payroll archive so the appropriate records can be retrieved for each request.
Sources: California Legislature: Labor Code 1776 payroll records requests
Sources: determine whether the project requires this workforce standard
Assemble occupation and qualification records
Tidwell helps organize project time, classifications and benefit records and prepare certified payroll reports from the information you provide. Bring the contract instructions and outstanding reporting questions.