§ 522.23 - Learner occupations and learning periods.

(a) In the occupations of sewing machine operating, final pressing, hand-sewing, and finishing operations involving hand-sewing, learners may be employed under a certificate at special minimum wage rates as provided in § 522.24 for a period not to exceed 320 hours. In the occupation of pressing (other than final pressing), a learner may be employed at such rates for a period not to exceed 160 hours.

(b) In the occupations of final inspection of assembled garments and of other machine operating (except the “cutting room” operations of knife or diecutting, spreading, and marking, wherever performed in the plant), a learner may be employed under a certificate at special minimum wage rates as provided in § 522.24 for a period not to exceed 160 hours: Provided, however, That these occupations shall be authorized under a certificate only in exceptional circumstances upon a showing by an individual employer making application for a special certificate that the occupation(s) as performed in the plant do in fact require substantial skill, training and judgment, and that opportunities for employment will in fact be curtailed in the absence of a certificate specifically authorizing the employment of learners at special minimum wage rates in these occupations.

(c) No worker shall be employed as a learner at special minimum rates in more than two of the learner occupations authorized by this section.

(d) If, within the previous three years, a worker has been employed in any division of the apparel industry, or in the manufacturing of men's and boys’ underwear from any woven fabric in establishments in the knitted wear industry, in an authorized learner occupation for less than the maximum period authorized for that occupation, the number of hours of previous employment shall be deducted from the learning period applicable to that occupation.