As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning: “Apprentice” means a person at least 16 years of age who is covered by a written agreement with an employer and approved by the Commissioner. The agreement shall provide for not less than 2,000 hours of reasonably continuous employment for such person, for his participation in an approved schedule of work experience through employment, and for the amount of related instruction required in the occupation. “Apprenticeable occupation” means a skilled occupation having the following characteristics:
1. It is customarily learned in a practical way through a structured systematic program of on-the-job supervised work experience;
2. It is clearly identifiable and recognized throughout an industry;
3. It involves manual, mechanical, or technical skills that require a minimum of 2,000 hours of on-the-job work experience of new apprenticeable trades not otherwise established; and
4. It requires related instruction to supplement the on-the-job work experience. “Employer” means any person or organization employing a registered apprentice, whether or not such person or organization is a party to an apprenticeship agreement with a sponsor. “Joint apprenticeship committee” means a group equally representative of management and labor representatives that works under a bargaining agreement and is established to carry out the administration of an apprenticeship training program. “Sponsor” means either an individual employer, a group of employers, or an association or organization operating an apprenticeship program and in whose name the program is registered.