Managing Apprentices

🧰 Managing Apprentice Classifications, Percentages & Pay Rates

Properly configuring apprentice classifications, base wage percentages, and fringe percentages is critical for certified payroll and prevailing wage compliance. 

⚠️ Important: Apprentice rates and supporting documentation (Apprentice IDs) are ultimately subject to review and approval by the project reviewer, which is typically the prime contractor. Subcontractors are responsible for ensuring that all apprentice information entered aligns with the project’s wage determination and approved apprenticeship program documentation.

In Kaster, apprentices are paid as a percentage of the Journeyman rate, and those percentages must align with the project’s wage determination and apprenticeship program requirements.

This article explains where to enter apprentice information, how percentages are calculated, and how Kaster applies them during weekly certified payroll submissions.

🛠 How to Configure and Manage an Apprentice in Kaster

1. From the Worker's profile, select the Classifications tab
2. Add or edit a Classification for the worker
3. From the Worker Type dropdown, select Apprentice
4. Enter the following fields:
   1. Apprentice Level (e.g., Level 5, Step 7, etc... )
   2. Percentage (%) of Base Pay - use '60' for 60% (not 0.6)
   3. Percentage (%) of Fringe Pay (if applicable) - use '75' for 75% (not 0.75)
5. Enter the Apprentice Program Name
6. Select if the apprentice program is a United States Department of Labor (“OA”) program, or a State Apprenticeship Agency (“SAA”) program recognized by Department of Labor.
7. Click the Save icon at the top right corner to save any changes

📊 How to Calculate Apprentice Percentages

Apprentice percentages are calculated by comparing the apprentice’s rate to the Journeyman rate for the same classification.

Example 1: Base Wage Percentage

Journeyman base wage: $50.00/hr

Apprentice base wage: $30.00/hr

Calculation: 30 ÷ 50 = 60%

In Kaster, enter: Percentage of Base Pay: 60

Example 2: Fringe Wage Percentage

Journeyman fringe rate: $10.00/hr

Apprentice fringe rate: $6.00/hr

Calculation: 6 ÷ 10 = 60%

In Kaster, enter: Percentage of Fringe Pay: 60

⚠️ Always reference the project’s wage determination and apprenticeship documentation to confirm the correct apprentice level and required percentages.