27-4-403. Prevailing hourly wage on public works projects; transportation of materials; exception for trainees.

(a) Except as provided by subsection (c) of this section, not less than the prevailing hourly rate of wages for work of a similar character in the locality in which the work is performed, shall be paid to all workmen employed by or on behalf of any public body engaged in the construction of public works, exclusive of maintenance work. Only such workmen as are directly employed in actual construction work on the site of the building or construction job shall be deemed to be employed on public works.

(b) When the hauling of materials or equipment includes some phase of construction other than the mere transportation to the site of the construction, workmen engaged in the dual capacity shall be deemed employed directly on public works when such work shall be more than incidental to the regular duties of the hauling.

(c) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, an employee employed pursuant to and registered in a training or an apprenticeship program approved by the United States department of labor or a training program approved by the department of transportation and the federal highway administration, except where specified by registered or approved training or apprenticeship programs, shall be paid as follows:

(i) During the first half of the training period, at a rate not less than sixty percent (60%) of the appropriate minimum journeyman's wage rate specified within the employment contract;

(ii) During the period commencing upon completion of the first half of the training program and ending upon completion of seventy-five percent (75%) of the program, at a rate not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the appropriate minimum journeyman's wage rate specified within the employment contract;

(iii) During the remaining portion and until completion of the training program, at a rate not less than ninety percent (90%) of the appropriate minimum journeyman's wage rate specified within the employment contract.