Veterans’ Entry to Apprenticeship Act

To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that veterans may attend pre-apprenticeship programs using certain educational assistance provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans’ Entry to Apprenticeship Act 2. Programs of pre-apprenticeship (a) In general Chapter 36 section 3687 3687A. Programs of pre-apprenticeship (a) In general Subject to subsection (b), and except as provided by subsection (c), the Secretary shall treat a pre-apprenticeship program as a program of apprenticeship for purposes of providing educational assistance. (b) Approval of pre-Apprenticeship program A pre-apprenticeship program may be covered under subsection (a)— (1) if the program is recognized under or compliant with any standards for a postsecondary pre-apprenticeship program required by the State in which the program is located; or (2) in the case of a program for which a State does not require any such standards, if— (A) the curriculum of the program is approved by a sponsor and the sponsor certifies to the Secretary that the program will prepare an individual with skills and competencies needed to enroll in a registered apprenticeship program; and (B) the program maintains conduct and attendance policies in accordance with a sponsor. (c) Benefits The educational assistance received by a covered individual enrolled in a pre-apprenticeship program under subsection (a) shall be equal to the amount and kind of such assistance received by the individual if the individual were enrolled in a program of apprenticeship, except that if the individual is not paid as part of such program, each monthly allowance for housing payable to the individual under such assistance shall be an amount equal to the monthly amount of the basic allowance for housing payable under section 403 of title 37 for a member with dependents in pay grade E–5 residing in the military housing area that encompasses all or the majority portion of the ZIP code area in which is located the pre-apprenticeship program. (d) Charge to entitlement The entitlement of a covered individual pursuing a pre-apprenticeship program under subsection (a) shall be charged at a rate equal to the rate charged if the program were a program of apprenticeship. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) The term covered individual (A) entitled to educational assistance; and (B) seeking to use such assistance for a program of apprenticeship. (2) The term educational assistance chapter 1606 (3) The term pre-apprenticeship program (A) designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in a registered apprenticeship program; and (B) that has a documented partnership with at least one sponsor. (4) The term registered apprenticeship program National Apprenticeship Act 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq. (5) The term sponsor (A) a registered apprenticeship program; (B) a department or agency of a State or local government; (C) an institution of higher learning; or (D) any other public, private, or nonprofit entity that the Secretary determines to be a sponsor for purposes of this section. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3687 the following new item: 3687A. Programs of pre-apprenticeship. . (c) Effective date Section 3687A of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply with respect to an individual who enrolls in a program of pre-apprenticeship described in such section beginning on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Veterans' Entry to Apprenticeship Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide the same amount and type of educational assistance to pre-apprenticeship programs as apprenticeship programs in certain circumstances. A pre-apprenticeship program is designed to prepare individuals to enter an apprenticeship program via education and training. Under the bill, a pre-apprenticeship program may be treated like an apprenticeship program for purposes of educational assistance if the program complies with state standards or meets other accepted criteria if state standards do not apply. If individuals are not paid as part of a pre-apprenticeship program, they are eligible for a specified amount of housing assistance.