I 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 8302 

To promote the furtherance of standards necessary to safeguard the welfare 

of apprentices. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 

Mr. LEVIN of Michigan (for himself and Ms. BONAMICI) introduced the 

following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor 

A BILL 

To promote the furtherance of standards necessary to 

safeguard the welfare of apprentices. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Strengthening Train5 ing and Accessibility for New and Diverse Apprenticeships 

6 through Relevant and Dependable Standards Act’’ or the 

7 ‘‘STANDARDS Act’’. 


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1 SEC. 2. QUALITY STANDARDS OF APPRENTICESHIP PRO2 GRAMS UNDER THE NATIONAL APPRENTICE3 SHIP SYSTEM. 

4 (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 

5 date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor (act6 ing through the Administrator of the Office of Apprentice7 ship) shall formulate and promote the furtherance of qual8 ity standards necessary to safeguard the welfare of ap9 prentices. 

10 (b) APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM STANDARDS.—An 

11 apprenticeship program shall meet the following stand12 ards: 

13 (1) The program has an organized and clearly 

14 written plan, developed by the sponsor, that in15 cludes, at a minimum, the following information: 

16 (A) The employment and training to be re17 ceived by each apprentice participating in the 

18 program, including— 

19 (i) an outline of the work processes or 

20 the plan in which the apprentice will re21 ceive supervised work experience and on22 the-job learning; 

23 (ii) the allocation of the approximate 

24 amount of time to be spent in each major 

25 work process by the apprentice; 


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1 (iii) a description of the mentoring 

2 that will be provided to the apprentice; and 

3 (iv) a description or timeline explain4 ing the periodic reviews and evaluations of 

5 the apprentice’s performance on the job 

6 and in related instruction. 

7 (B) A process for maintaining appropriate 

8 progress records, including the reviews and 

9 evaluations described in subparagraph (A)(iv). 

10 (C) A description of the organized, related 

11 instruction the apprentice will receive in tech12 nical subjects related to the occupation, 

13 which— 

14 (i) for time-based or hybrid appren15 ticeship programs as described in subpara16 graph (E), shall include not less than 144 

17 hours for each year of apprenticeship, un18 less an alternative requirement is put forth 

19 by the employer and sponsor that reflects 

20 industry standards and is accepted by the 

21 Administrator; 

22 (ii) may be accomplished through 

23 classroom instruction, occupational or in24 dustry courses, instruction provided 


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1 through electronic media, or other instruc2 tion approved by the registration agency; 

3 (iii) shall be provided by one or more 

4 qualified instructors that— 

5 (I)(aa) meet technical instructor 

6 requirements of the applicable edu7 cation agency in the State of registra8 tion; or 

9 (bb) are subject matter experts, 

10 defined for purposes of this subpara11 graph as individuals recognized within 

12 an industry as having expertise in a 

13 specific occupation; and 

14 (II) have training in teaching 

15 techniques and learning styles, or will 

16 obtain such training before providing 

17 the related technical instruction; and 

18 (iv) where appropriate and to the ex19 tent practicable, shall be aligned to a ca20 reer pathway. 

21 (D) A progressively increasing, clearly de22 fined schedule of wages to be paid to the ap23 prentice that is— 

24 (i) consistent with measurable skill 

25 gains; and 


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1 (ii) ensures the entry wage is not less 

2 than the greater of— 

3 (I) the minimum wage required 

4 under section 6(a) of the Fair Labor 

5 Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 

6 206(a)); or 

7 (II) the applicable wage required 

8 by other applicable Federal or State 

9 laws (including regulations) or collec10 tive bargaining agreements. 

11 (E) The term of the apprenticeship pro12 gram, which may be measured through— 

13 (i) a time-based model, which requires 

14 the completion of the industry standard for 

15 on-the-job learning hours ,which in no case 

16 shall be less than 2,000 hours, unless an 

17 alternative requirement is put forth by the 

18 employer and sponsor that reflects indus19 try standards and is accepted by the Sec20 retary and registration agency; 

21 (ii) a competency-based model, which 

22 requires the attainment of competency in 

23 the occupation; or 


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1 (iii) a hybrid model, which blends the 

2 time-based and competency-based ap3 proaches. 

4 (F) The methods used to measure an ap5 prentice’s skills and competencies, may include 

6 an initial diagnostic assessment of credentials 

7 that verify an individual’s foundational knowl8 edge and skills that would be needed to succeed 

9 in an apprenticeship program, and which shall 

10 include— 

11 (i) in the case of a time-based appren12 ticeship described in subparagraph (E)(i), 

13 the individual apprentice’s completion of 

14 the required hours of on-the-job learning 

15 as described in a work process schedule; 

16 (ii) in the case of a competency-based 

17 model, the individual apprentice’s success18 ful demonstration of acquired skills and 

19 knowledge through appropriate means of 

20 testing and evaluation for such com21 petencies, and by requiring apprentices to 

22 complete a paid on-the-job learning compo23 nent of the apprenticeship; or 

24 (iii) in the case of a hybrid appren25 ticeship described in subparagraph (E)(iii), 


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1 a combination of specified minimum num2 ber of hours of on-the-job learning and the 

3 successful demonstration of competency, as 

4 described in a work process schedule. 

5 (2) The program equally grants advanced 

6 standing or credit to all individuals applying for the 

7 apprenticeship with demonstrated competency or ac8 quired experience, training, or skills, and provides 

9 commensurate wages for any progression in standing 

10 or credit so granted, including for veterans’ service 

11 acquired skills and experiences. 

12 (3) The program has minimum qualifications 

13 for individuals desiring to enter the apprenticeship 

14 program, with an eligible starting age for an appren15 tice of not less than 16 years. 

16 (4) In the case of a program that chooses to 

17 issue an interim credential, the program— 

18 (A) clearly identifies each interim creden19 tial; 

20 (B) only issues an interim credential for 

21 recognized components of an apprenticeable oc22 cupation and demonstrates how each interim 

23 credential specifically links to the knowledge, 

24 skills, and abilities associated with such compo25 nents; and 


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1 (C) establishes the process for assessing an 

2 individual apprentice’s demonstration of com3 petency and measurable skill gains associated 

4 with the particular interim credential. 

5 (5) The program— 

6 (A) has adequate and safe equipment, en7 vironments, and facilities for training and su8 pervision; 

9 (B) provides safety training on-the-job and 

10 in related instruction as applicable by 

11 apprenticeable occupation; and 

12 (C) provides adequate training for mentors 

13 and qualified instructors on providing a safe 

14 work and training environment. 

15 (6) The program records and maintains all 

16 records concerning the program as may be required 

17 by the Secretary, the registration agency of the pro18 gram, or any other applicable law, including records 

19 required under title 38, United States Code, in order 

20 for veterans and other individuals eligible for edu21 cational assistance under such title to use such as22 sistance for enrollment in the program. 

23 (7) The Administrator shall promote diversity 

24 and ensure equal opportunity to participate in proVerDate Sep 11 2014 00:07 Oct 04, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H8302.IH H8302

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1 grams for apprentices, youth apprentices, and pre2 apprentices, including— 

3 (A) taking steps necessary to promote di4 versity in apprenticeable occupations under the 

5 national apprenticeship system, especially in 

6 high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry 

7 sectors and occupations in areas with high per8 centages of low-income individuals; 

9 (B) ensuring programs under the national 

10 apprenticeship system— 

11 (i) adopt and implement policies to 

12 provide for equal opportunity in such pro13 grams, as described in section 30.3 of title 

14 29, Code of Federal Regulations (as in ef15 fect on January 31, 2020); 

16 (ii) do not engage in intimidation or 

17 retaliation as prohibited under section 

18 30.17 of title 29, Code of Federal Regula19 tions (as in effect on January 31, 2020); 

20 and 

21 (iii) are subject, for any violation of 

22 clause (i) or (ii), to enforcement action 

23 under this Act; and 

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1 ticeship populations in programs under the na2 tional apprenticeship system in high-skill, high3 wage, and in-demand industry sectors and occu4 pations, including women, people of color, indi5 viduals with disabilities, individuals impacted by 

6 the criminal and juvenile justice system, and in7 dividuals with barriers to employment, as appli8 cable. 

9 (8) The program awards a certificate of comple10 tion in recognition of successful completion of the 

11 program, evidenced by an appropriate certificate 

12 issued by the registration agency, and culminates in 

13 a recognized postsecondary credential (as defined in 

14 section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Oppor15 tunity Act). 

16 (9) The program provides that an individual 

17 who is to become a program participant under the 

18 program enters into a written apprenticeship agree19 ment with the sponsor of the program. 

20 (10) The ratio of program participants to su21 pervisors (such as journeyworkers, mentors, or on22 the-job learning instructors, as applicable) for the 

23 apprenticeable occupation, that are based on evi24 dence-based and evidence-informed best practices for 

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1 ployment, throughout the work processes of the pro2 gram, job site, department, or plant, appropriate for 

3 the degree of hazard in different occupations, and 

4 provisions in collective bargaining agreements, as ap5 plicable, except if such ratios are expressly prohib6 ited by the collective bargaining agreements. 

7 (c) APPRENTICESHIP AGREEMENTS.— 

8 (1) IN GENERAL.—To ensure the standards de9 scribed in subsection (b) are applied to programs 

10 under the national apprenticeship system, the Ad11 ministrator shall require a sponsor to develop an ap12 prenticeship agreement that shall— 

13 (A) be the same for each program partici14 pant; 

15 (B) contain the names and signatures of 

16 the program participant and the sponsor; 

17 (C) meet the requirements of paragraph 

18 (2); and 

19 (D) be submitted to the registration agen20 cy in accordance with the registration require21 ments of the program sponsor. 

22 (2) STANDARDS.—Each agreement under para23 graph (1) shall contain, explicitly or by reference, 

24 program standards under subsection (b), including— 


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1 (A) in the case of an apprenticeship pro2 gram— 

3 (i) that is time-based, a statement of 

4 the number of hours to be spent by the 

5 program participant in on-the-job learning 

6 and on-the-job training in order to com7 plete the program; 

8 (ii) that is competency-based, a de9 scription of the skill sets to be attained by 

10 completion of the program, including the 

11 on-the-job learning and work components; 

12 or 

13 (iii) that is a hybrid model, the min14 imum number of hours to be spent by the 

15 program participant in on-the-job learning 

16 and work components and in related in17 struction, and a description of the skill sets 

18 and competencies to be attained by comple19 tion of the program; 

20 (B) the number of hours and form of re21 lated instruction, including how related instruc22 tion will be compensated (whether through aca23 demic credit, wages, or both), the costs the pro24 gram participant will incur costs for partici25 pating in the program (such as for equipment 


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1 or related instruction), and the recognized post2 secondary credentials the program participants 

3 will be eligible to receive upon program comple4 tion; 

5 (C) a schedule of the work processes in the 

6 occupation or industry divisions in which the 

7 program participant is to be trained and the 

8 approximate time to be spent at each process; 

9 (D) for apprenticeships or youth appren10 ticeships, the graduated wage scale to be paid 

11 to the apprentices, benefits offered to the ap12 prentices, and how the wages and benefits com13 pare to State, local, or regional wages in the re14 lated occupation; and 

15 (E) demonstration of commitment to and 

16 compliance with subsection (b)(7). 

17 (d) APPRENTICEABLE OCCUPATION.—For an occu18 pation to be an apprenticeable occupation under this Act, 

19 a person seeking approval for such occupation to be an 

20 apprenticeable occupation shall submit an application to 

21 the Secretary of Labor (acting through the Administrator 

22 of the Office of Apprenticeship) that demonstrates that 

23 such apprenticeable occupation will prepare individuals for 

24 the full range of skills and competencies needed for such 


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1 occupation by describing how such apprenticeable occupa2 tion shall— 

3 (1) meet the industry recognized occupational 

4 standards required by the Administrator; or 

5 (2) involve the progressive attainment of skills 

6 competencies and knowledge that are— 

7 (A) clearly identified and commonly recog8 nized throughout an industry or occupation; 

9 (B) customarily learned or enhanced in a 

10 practical way through a structured, systematic 

11 program of on-the-job supervised learning and 

12 related instruction to supplement such learning; 

13 and 

14 (C) offered through a time-based, com15 petency-based, or a hybrid model measured 

16 using— 

17 (i) a time-based model, which requires 

18 the completion of the industry standard for 

19 on-the-job learning hours ,which in no case 

20 shall be less than 2,000 hours, unless an 

21 alternative requirement is put forth by the 

22 employer and sponsor that reflects indus23 try standards and is accepted by the Sec24 retary; 


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1 (ii) a competency-based model, which 

2 requires the attainment of competency in 

3 the occupation; or 

4 (iii) a hybrid model, which blends the 

5 time-based and competency-based ap6 proaches. 

7 (e) REGISTRATION AGENCY DEFINED.—The term 

8 ‘‘registration agency’’ means the State Office of Appren9 ticeship or State apprenticeship agency in a State that is 

10 responsible for— 

11 (1) approving or denying applications from 

12 sponsors for registration of programs under the na13 tional apprenticeship system in the State or area 

14 covered by the registration agency; and 

15 (2) carrying out the responsibilities of sup16 porting the apprenticeship programs registered by 

17 the registration agency, including— 

18 (A) determining whether to approve a pro19 posal submitted by a sponsor and notifying the 

20 sponsor of the determination by not later than 

21 60 days after receipt of the proposal; and 

22 (B) If the proposal is approved, the 

23 amending the record of the program to reflect 

24 the modification or change, and providing the 

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1 knowledgment of the amended program, by not 

2 later than 30 days after the date of approval. 

Æ 


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