TITLE: Relating to a report by the Texas Workforce Commission regarding apprenticeship opportunities in this state for emerging and high-demand industries.

SUMMARY: Relating to a report by the Texas Workforce Commission regarding apprenticeship opportunities in this state for emerging and high-demand industries.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to a report by the Texas Workforce Commission regarding apprenticeship opportunities in this state for emerging and high-demand industries. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is amended by adding Section 302.0191 to read as follows: Sec. 302.0191. REPORT ON AVAILABLE APPRENTICESHIPS. (a) In this section: (1) "Apprenticeship program" includes: (A) an industry-recognized training program, as defined by Section 302.252; and (B) an apprenticeship training program, as defined by Section 133.001, Education Code. (2) "Emerging and high-demand industry" means an industry or occupation described by the report required under Section 302.019. (b) Not later than September 1 of each year, the commission shall, in consultation with each local workforce development board, prepare and submit to the legislature a report on available apprenticeship programs in this state and make recommendations to expand the availability of apprenticeship programs in emerging and high-demand industries. The report must: (1) include data on: (A) the total number of active apprenticeship programs, categorized by the industries included in the North American Industry Classification System; (B) the total number of active apprentices, categorized by the industries included in the North American Industry Classification System; and (C) the total occupational demand for each industry, categorized by each occupation in the industry for which an apprenticeship program may be established; and (2) make recommendations to expand available apprenticeship programs for emerging and high-demand industries with higher employment demand relative to the total number of active apprentices and apprenticeship programs. (c) The commission may collaborate and consult with the council or the Apprenticeship and Training Advisory Committee, as designated by the council, to develop recommendations for the report under Subsection (b). (d) The commission shall provide a copy of the report to the council or the Apprenticeship and Training Advisory Committee, as designated by the council, at the same time as the report required under Section 133.006(b), Education Code. SECTION 2. Not later than September 1, 2024, the Texas Workforce Commission shall prepare and submit the initial report required by Section 302.0191, Labor Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.