The article reports on the plan of the U.S. Department of Labor to update the rules of the National Apprenticeship System. The agency issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in December 2007. One proposed change would expand the number of pathways to apprenticeship completion and certification. The rule change has developed a competency-based model in response to the needs of the precision manufacturing industry. This rule is welcomed by Stephen Mandes, executive director of the National Institute for Metalworking Skills, and said the competency-based approach offers greater certainty to employers and employees alike that employees possess the skills they need.