Section 231.52. Special certificate

If the Secretary finds that the requested employment of learners in a given occupation at less than the minimum wage is necessary in order to prevent curtailment of opportunities for employment, the Secretary may issue a certificate to the employer authorizing employment at less than the prescribed minimum wage; provided however, that the wage may not be less than 85% of the otherwise applicable minimum wage established in section 4 of the act (43 P. S. § 333.104). The certificate may limit the number of learners and proportion of learners to nonlearners. The wage specified on the certificate shall constitute the minimum wage for learners in the particular occupation at the establishment named therein.