By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule to encourage companies, trade associations, colleges, unions and other entities to establish industry-recognized apprenticeship programs (IRAP). The apprenticeships will be paid positions that provide trainees with on-the-job training and classroom education. The initiative is intended to expand the pool of available workers given the fact that the U.S. currently has many more job openings than skilled workers. IRAPs will use industry-driven approaches in providing pathways for workers to gain skills and start careers.

In 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order directing the DOL to institute such a program. The DOL program seeks to reduce red tape and overly rigid requirements for administering apprenticeship programs. It is intended to encourage a market-based approach while operating within DOL standards for training, structure, and curricula. Federal funds may be available to supplement the program but have not yet been appropriated by Congress.  

View the IRAP fact sheet. 

The DOL will be presenting a webinar on Thursday, March 26, from 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. (EDT) to discuss key elements of the program and provide information on next steps if interested in pursuing IRAPs.

Register now.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule to encourage companies, trade associations, colleges, unions and other entities to establish industry-recognized apprenticeship programs (IRAP). The apprenticeships will be paid positions that provide trainees with on-the-job training and classroom education. The initiative is intended to expand the pool of available workers given the fact that the U.S. currently has many more job openings than skilled workers. IRAPs will use industry-driven approaches in providing pathways for workers to gain skills and start careers.

In 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order directing the DOL to institute such a program. The DOL program seeks to reduce red tape and overly rigid requirements for administering apprenticeship programs. It is intended to encourage a market-based approach while operating within DOL standards for training, structure, and curricula. Federal funds may be available to supplement the program but have not yet been appropriated by Congress.  

View the IRAP fact sheet. 

The DOL will be presenting a webinar on Thursday, March 26, from 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. (EDT) to discuss key elements of the program and provide information on next steps if interested in pursuing IRAPs.

Register now.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule to encourage companies, trade associations, colleges, unions and other entities to establish industry-recognized apprenticeship programs (IRAP). The apprenticeships will be paid positions that provide trainees with on-the-job training and classroom education. The initiative is intended to expand the pool of available workers given the fact that the U.S. currently has many more job openings than skilled workers. IRAPs will use industry-driven approaches in providing pathways for workers to gain skills and start careers.

In 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order directing the DOL to institute such a program. The DOL program seeks to reduce red tape and overly rigid requirements for administering apprenticeship programs. It is intended to encourage a market-based approach while operating within DOL standards for training, structure, and curricula. Federal funds may be available to supplement the program but have not yet been appropriated by Congress.  

View the IRAP fact sheet. 

The DOL will be presenting a webinar on Thursday, March 26, from 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. (EDT) to discuss key elements of the program and provide information on next steps if interested in pursuing IRAPs.

Register now.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA has submitted recommendations to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on ways to improve regulatory enforcement by the federal government. While the comments focus on certain actions taken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), SEMA noted that the enforcement practices are likely applicable to other federal government agencies.  

The comments considered the manner in which government agencies initiate, investigate, purse and attempt to resolve enforcement actions of alleged regulatory violations. For example:

• SEMA objected to instances in which companies were provided insufficient notice of their legal rights when responding to government investigators, as well as misleading statements, inconsistencies in enforcement and aggressive settlement tactics. 
• SEMA criticized the fact that agency enforcement policies are usually not published for public comment and do not consider alternatives that are the least burdensome possible on small businesses. 
• SEMA expressed concern that federal enforcement officials have appeared unannounced at company facilities to conduct regulatory compliance inspections. The officials fail to inform company representatives of their rights, including the right to require a subpoena and to postpone a visit so that company officials can consult with legal counsel. 
• SEMA questioned the need for unscheduled visits since the agency seems to be using the element of surprise as an investigative tool. Rather, most agency inquiries could simply be answered through written correspondence. Further, SEMA urged that agencies be required to inform a company on the status or closure of an inquiry within a fixed period of time, such as 30–60 days.
• SEMA objected to formal investigations that are overly broad, requiring small businesses to supply a significant amount of irrelevant material. The fishing expedition approach forces the company to make significant financial expenditures in order to respond.
• SEMA protested settlement discussions in which government officials first threaten large fines that would place the company in bankruptcy before eventually accepting lower settlements. The negotiations leave the defendant intimidated and willing to accept a reduced penalty rather than pursue its case in court. In the process, the company is saddled with large attorney and accounting fees.  

SEMA recommended that the OMB issue guidelines or directives requiring government enforcement procedures take small business size into consideration. The ultimate enforcement goal should be to identify and rectify any noncompliant activities in a fashion that focuses on compliance rather than fines collected.

Read SEMA’s comments.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA has submitted recommendations to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on ways to improve regulatory enforcement by the federal government. While the comments focus on certain actions taken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), SEMA noted that the enforcement practices are likely applicable to other federal government agencies.  

The comments considered the manner in which government agencies initiate, investigate, purse and attempt to resolve enforcement actions of alleged regulatory violations. For example:

• SEMA objected to instances in which companies were provided insufficient notice of their legal rights when responding to government investigators, as well as misleading statements, inconsistencies in enforcement and aggressive settlement tactics. 
• SEMA criticized the fact that agency enforcement policies are usually not published for public comment and do not consider alternatives that are the least burdensome possible on small businesses. 
• SEMA expressed concern that federal enforcement officials have appeared unannounced at company facilities to conduct regulatory compliance inspections. The officials fail to inform company representatives of their rights, including the right to require a subpoena and to postpone a visit so that company officials can consult with legal counsel. 
• SEMA questioned the need for unscheduled visits since the agency seems to be using the element of surprise as an investigative tool. Rather, most agency inquiries could simply be answered through written correspondence. Further, SEMA urged that agencies be required to inform a company on the status or closure of an inquiry within a fixed period of time, such as 30–60 days.
• SEMA objected to formal investigations that are overly broad, requiring small businesses to supply a significant amount of irrelevant material. The fishing expedition approach forces the company to make significant financial expenditures in order to respond.
• SEMA protested settlement discussions in which government officials first threaten large fines that would place the company in bankruptcy before eventually accepting lower settlements. The negotiations leave the defendant intimidated and willing to accept a reduced penalty rather than pursue its case in court. In the process, the company is saddled with large attorney and accounting fees.  

SEMA recommended that the OMB issue guidelines or directives requiring government enforcement procedures take small business size into consideration. The ultimate enforcement goal should be to identify and rectify any noncompliant activities in a fashion that focuses on compliance rather than fines collected.

Read SEMA’s comments.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

SEMA has submitted recommendations to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on ways to improve regulatory enforcement by the federal government. While the comments focus on certain actions taken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), SEMA noted that the enforcement practices are likely applicable to other federal government agencies.  

The comments considered the manner in which government agencies initiate, investigate, purse and attempt to resolve enforcement actions of alleged regulatory violations. For example:

• SEMA objected to instances in which companies were provided insufficient notice of their legal rights when responding to government investigators, as well as misleading statements, inconsistencies in enforcement and aggressive settlement tactics. 
• SEMA criticized the fact that agency enforcement policies are usually not published for public comment and do not consider alternatives that are the least burdensome possible on small businesses. 
• SEMA expressed concern that federal enforcement officials have appeared unannounced at company facilities to conduct regulatory compliance inspections. The officials fail to inform company representatives of their rights, including the right to require a subpoena and to postpone a visit so that company officials can consult with legal counsel. 
• SEMA questioned the need for unscheduled visits since the agency seems to be using the element of surprise as an investigative tool. Rather, most agency inquiries could simply be answered through written correspondence. Further, SEMA urged that agencies be required to inform a company on the status or closure of an inquiry within a fixed period of time, such as 30–60 days.
• SEMA objected to formal investigations that are overly broad, requiring small businesses to supply a significant amount of irrelevant material. The fishing expedition approach forces the company to make significant financial expenditures in order to respond.
• SEMA protested settlement discussions in which government officials first threaten large fines that would place the company in bankruptcy before eventually accepting lower settlements. The negotiations leave the defendant intimidated and willing to accept a reduced penalty rather than pursue its case in court. In the process, the company is saddled with large attorney and accounting fees.  

SEMA recommended that the OMB issue guidelines or directives requiring government enforcement procedures take small business size into consideration. The ultimate enforcement goal should be to identify and rectify any noncompliant activities in a fashion that focuses on compliance rather than fines collected.

Read SEMA’s comments.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Editors

Reid Lunde, owner and founder of Kaizen Speed, was the 2019 SEMA Launch Pad winner.

Young entrepreneurs, students and business owners looking for an opportunity to launch their products into the $44.6 billion automotive aftermarket industry can apply now for the SEMA Launch Pad program. The deadline to enter the 2020 SEMA Launch Pad, presented by the Young Executives Network (YEN), and compete for a top prize that includes $10,000 and exhibit space at the SEMA Show is May 3.

“SEMA Launch Pad has emerged as the event every young entrepreneur circles on the calendar at the beginning of the year,” said Nathan Ridnouer, SEMA vice president of councils and membership. “It is a platform unlike any other that has brought brilliant ideas, innovations and individuals to center stage. We’ve been privileged to witness the next generation continue to push the envelope and deliver year after year. This industry is filled with passionate young entrepreneurs, and we can’t wait to see who will surface from this year’s competition.”

Fifteen semi-finalists will be announced May 18. They will be awarded a complimentary one-year membership to the 2020 SEMA Show, as well as registration and airfare (up to $500) to attend the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit in Las Vegas—a two-day conference held June 24–26, for exhibitors. The 15 Launch Pad participants will learn new business strategies and film a short video that will be used for an online voting competition.

The public will be able to view the 15 videos online and cast their votes for the business they would like to advance to the next round. From there, 10 finalists will receive a complimentary kiosk booth at the 2020 SEMA Show, with the top five vote-getters earning a chance to pitch their products during the SEMA Launch Pad Live event, November 2, at the SEMA Show.

The top five finalists will pitch their businesses to a panel of iconic industry judges, who will determine the winner of the top prize of $10,000, a turnkey exhibit space with premium placement at the 2020 SEMA Show, free promotional support and more.

Applicants do not need to be members of SEMA or YEN to participate, but must hold stake within the company. Students who meet the qualifications are invited to apply as well.

To apply or for more information, visit www.sema.org/launchpad before May 3.

By SEMA Editors

Reid Lunde, owner and founder of Kaizen Speed, was the 2019 SEMA Launch Pad winner.

Young entrepreneurs, students and business owners looking for an opportunity to launch their products into the $44.6 billion automotive aftermarket industry can apply now for the SEMA Launch Pad program. The deadline to enter the 2020 SEMA Launch Pad, presented by the Young Executives Network (YEN), and compete for a top prize that includes $10,000 and exhibit space at the SEMA Show is May 3.

“SEMA Launch Pad has emerged as the event every young entrepreneur circles on the calendar at the beginning of the year,” said Nathan Ridnouer, SEMA vice president of councils and membership. “It is a platform unlike any other that has brought brilliant ideas, innovations and individuals to center stage. We’ve been privileged to witness the next generation continue to push the envelope and deliver year after year. This industry is filled with passionate young entrepreneurs, and we can’t wait to see who will surface from this year’s competition.”

Fifteen semi-finalists will be announced May 18. They will be awarded a complimentary one-year membership to the 2020 SEMA Show, as well as registration and airfare (up to $500) to attend the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit in Las Vegas—a two-day conference held June 24–26, for exhibitors. The 15 Launch Pad participants will learn new business strategies and film a short video that will be used for an online voting competition.

The public will be able to view the 15 videos online and cast their votes for the business they would like to advance to the next round. From there, 10 finalists will receive a complimentary kiosk booth at the 2020 SEMA Show, with the top five vote-getters earning a chance to pitch their products during the SEMA Launch Pad Live event, November 2, at the SEMA Show.

The top five finalists will pitch their businesses to a panel of iconic industry judges, who will determine the winner of the top prize of $10,000, a turnkey exhibit space with premium placement at the 2020 SEMA Show, free promotional support and more.

Applicants do not need to be members of SEMA or YEN to participate, but must hold stake within the company. Students who meet the qualifications are invited to apply as well.

To apply or for more information, visit www.sema.org/launchpad before May 3.

By SEMA Editors

Reid Lunde, owner and founder of Kaizen Speed, was the 2019 SEMA Launch Pad winner.

Young entrepreneurs, students and business owners looking for an opportunity to launch their products into the $44.6 billion automotive aftermarket industry can apply now for the SEMA Launch Pad program. The deadline to enter the 2020 SEMA Launch Pad, presented by the Young Executives Network (YEN), and compete for a top prize that includes $10,000 and exhibit space at the SEMA Show is May 3.

“SEMA Launch Pad has emerged as the event every young entrepreneur circles on the calendar at the beginning of the year,” said Nathan Ridnouer, SEMA vice president of councils and membership. “It is a platform unlike any other that has brought brilliant ideas, innovations and individuals to center stage. We’ve been privileged to witness the next generation continue to push the envelope and deliver year after year. This industry is filled with passionate young entrepreneurs, and we can’t wait to see who will surface from this year’s competition.”

Fifteen semi-finalists will be announced May 18. They will be awarded a complimentary one-year membership to the 2020 SEMA Show, as well as registration and airfare (up to $500) to attend the SEMA Show Exhibitor Summit in Las Vegas—a two-day conference held June 24–26, for exhibitors. The 15 Launch Pad participants will learn new business strategies and film a short video that will be used for an online voting competition.

The public will be able to view the 15 videos online and cast their votes for the business they would like to advance to the next round. From there, 10 finalists will receive a complimentary kiosk booth at the 2020 SEMA Show, with the top five vote-getters earning a chance to pitch their products during the SEMA Launch Pad Live event, November 2, at the SEMA Show.

The top five finalists will pitch their businesses to a panel of iconic industry judges, who will determine the winner of the top prize of $10,000, a turnkey exhibit space with premium placement at the 2020 SEMA Show, free promotional support and more.

Applicants do not need to be members of SEMA or YEN to participate, but must hold stake within the company. Students who meet the qualifications are invited to apply as well.

To apply or for more information, visit www.sema.org/launchpad before May 3.

By SEMA Show Management

With the Show just less than eight months away, we are putting plans in place to host a successful event in November with some changes that help lower the level of uncertainty for our exhibitors and attendees.

While all current exhibitor milestone dates for applications, deposits and space allocation remain intact, policy changes have been made to ease concerns and allow exhibitors to invest in the Show with confidence by extending the deadline in which exhibitors can receive a full refund to September 1, 2020.

We will continue to monitor developments and will make updates as necessary.

For details, visit www.semashow.com/important-show-information or contact an account representative at sales@sema.org.