Achieve Desk is committed to providing apprentices with clear, consistent information about grievance procedures, self-payment, cancellations, withdrawals, and refunds.

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Our Registered Apprenticeship Programs are administered in accordance with applicable U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship requirements, including 29 CFR Part 29, and our approved Standards of Apprenticeship: U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Regulations

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Grievance & Complaint Questions

What federal rule addresses apprenticeship complaints?

29 CFR § 29.12 addresses certain controversies or differences arising under an Apprenticeship Agreement that cannot be resolved locally and are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement: U.S. Department of Labor 29 CFR Part 29

 

Should apprentices first try to resolve concerns with Achieve Desk?

When appropriate, Achieve Desk encourages apprentices to first raise program-related concerns through our internal grievance process so the matter can be reviewed and, when possible, resolved locally. An apprentice's use of the internal process does not eliminate any external rights or remedies available under applicable federal, state, or local law: 29 CFR § 29.12 Complaints

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Can an unresolved grievance be submitted to the Registration Agency?

Yes. For matters covered by 29 CFR § 29.12, an apprentice or authorized representative may submit an unresolved complaint to the appropriate Registration Agency: U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Regulations​

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What information should a formal complaint include?

A complaint submitted under the federal Registered

Apprenticeship complaint process should be in writing and signed. It should identify the specific matter being challenged, relevant facts and circumstances, and supporting documents or correspondence when available.​

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Is there a deadline for submitting a complaint to the Registration Agency?

Under 29 CFR § 29.12, an eligible complaint must generally be submitted within 60 days after the final local decision: 29 CFR § 29.12 Complaints

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Are discrimination or equal-opportunity complaints handled the same way?

No. Discrimination and equal-opportunity complaints follow separate applicable federal requirements and are not handled solely through the general 29 CFR § 29.12 complaint process.

Achieve Desk maintains separate procedures for concerns involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or equal opportunity: Apprenticeship.gov Legislation, Regulations & Guidance

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What if the issue is covered by a collective bargaining agreement?

Matters covered by a collective bargaining agreement are generally handled through the applicable collectively bargained grievance procedure rather than the 29 CFR § 29.12 Registration Agency complaint process: 29 CFR § 29.12 Complaints

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Does filing an Achieve Desk grievance prevent an apprentice from using another legal remedy?

No. Achieve Desk's internal grievance procedure does not prevent an apprentice from pursuing another remedy available under applicable federal, state, or local law: 29 CFR § 29.12 Complaints

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Official Federal Resources

U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Regulations
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/apprenticeship/policy/regulations

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29 CFR Part 29 Complaint Provisions
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/apprenticeship/pdfs/FinalRule29CFRPart29.pdf

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Apprenticeship.gov Registered Apprenticeship Program Review Manual
https://www.apprenticeship.gov/sites/default/files/apr-and-eapr-manual.pdf​

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Achieve Desk Administration

This FAQ should be read together with the applicable Achieve Desk Standards of Apprenticeship, Apprenticeship Agreement, Related Instruction requirements, grievance procedures, refund policy, and applicable workforce funding authorization.​