Does Palin once again think the rules don't apply to her?

Jan 2, 2009 at 12:05 PM
5 comments

Levi Johnston By Dan Fagan

How is it possible that the Governor’s soon to be son-in-law is working as an apprentice on the North Slope?

The Governor, in trying to dispel rumors the father of her grandchild is a high school drop out, released this statement this week, “Levi is continuing his online high school work in addition to working as an electrical apprentice on the North Slope."

But federal regulations require any members of apprentice programs, union or otherwise, first obtain a high school diploma, something the Governor’s soon to be son-in-law, Levi Johnston does not have. Some apprentice programs even require the completion of high school level Algebra or the post secondary equivalent.

So how is it that the Governor’s soon to be son-in-law is working in an apprentice program? Is this another case of the Governor believing the law doesn’t apply to her?

Bo Underwood, who heads up ASRC’s electrical apprentice program, confirmed Johnston is indeed enrolled as an apprentice. Underwood claimed not to know whether a high school diploma is needed to be an ASRC apprentice and said he would check on it. But federal regulations clearly state a high school diploma is needed before entering an apprentice program. How is it the man who runs the program does not know that?

Underwood also claimed not to know whether there is a waiting list for the ASRC apprentice program he runs. Imagine that.

Rebecca Logan, executive director of Associated Builders and Contractors, an organization that also has an electrical workers apprentice program, says waiting lists almost always accompany apprenticeship programs. Her organization’s apprentice program has a waiting list of at least 100 people.

Bo Underwood promised to get back with me on how the Governor’s soon to be son-in-law got into the apprentice program.

The Alaska Standard has a call into the Governor’s office as well. We’ll let you know when we hear back from them on this issue.

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After doing a little research, I discover that the ASRC is a privately owned Native corporation. Don't they have sovereignty in these matters? If so, why would federal regulations be relevant?

The educational requirement for an apprenticeship program can vary. In some cases, high school graduation is not required. In fact, some apprenticeship programs will allow a person still attending high school to work in an apprenticeship program while still attending high school.

A follow up. Being a personnel rep at one time in my career, I can tell you that waiting lists for employment are long for most jobs.

However, special consideration is given to applicants referred from community groups like NAACP, social services departments, friends of Human Resource personnel, and relatives of decision makers. Thus, the hiring system is not really objective.

Gosh, we have hired President Obama, who has absolutely no experience to lead any organization, except his days at ACORN teaching voter fraud techniques.

Levi Johnston quits oil field job

Published: January 5th, 2009 06:13 PM
Last Modified: January 5th, 2009 06:14 PM

Levi Johnston, the Wasilla teenager planning to marry Gov. Sarah Palin's daughter, Bristol, has quit his North Slope oil field job over questions about his eligibility to participate in an electrical apprenticeship program, Johnston's father said today.

Johnston this fall began working at the Milne Point oil field through the ASRC Energy Services apprenticeship program.

It has been questioned how Johnston could take part in the apprenticeship program without the required high school education.

Johnston's father, Keith Johnston, said in a telephone interview that his son decided to resign today and return home to work on his education.

"He felt it was the best thing to do to kind of calm the waters, so to speak," the elder Johnston said.

Federal rules actually don't require that, but ASRC rules do, the company said today. Levi does possess a diploma or the math required to be at this level. Many other young educated Alaskans spoke about how applying multi times to this coveted apprenticeship program and not being chosen.

Levi Johnston and Bristol Palin recently became the parents of Palin's first grandchild.