Merit and Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Iowa have announced a partnership aimed at digitizing apprenticeship records and modernizing how training credentials and work records are managed and tracked for ABC’s Registered Apprentices.
As part of this initiative, ABC of Iowa is taking the lead in digitizing apprenticeship records, specifically apprenticeship program completion and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training records, for nearly 1,000 individuals. Traditionally, apprentices have relied on physical paper certificates to showcase their OSHA training and other credentials upon request. Through this partnership, participating apprentices will now have the ability to display their records in real-time directly from their smartphones. The digitization effort will also eliminate the need for apprentices and employers to track down details from previous employers and trade boards when switching jobs, as all information will be available on the Merit platform.
"I am excited about the positive impact this partnership will have on our industry," said Ginny Shindelar, Associated Builders and Contractors of Iowa’s VP of Education & Training. "By embracing digital solutions with Merit, we are not only making life easier for apprentices and employers but also contributing to a safer and more connected workforce in Iowa."
"We believe that this partnership is a testament to our commitment to innovation and creating a modern, efficient, and transparent credential-based workforce ecosystem," stated Merit COO Jacob Orrin. "Merit and ABC are setting a new standard for digitizing workforce records and ensuring access to information for the benefit of apprentices, employers, and all industry stakeholders."