Expanding Opportunity through Pre-Apprenticeships Act

To expand opportunities for pre-apprenticeship programs. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Expanding Opportunity through Pre-Apprenticeships Act 2. Pre-apprenticeship program standards (a) In general In this Act, a pre-apprenticeship program (1) designed to— (A) assist individuals who do not meet minimum qualifications for an apprenticeship program; and (B) prepare such individuals to enter and succeed in such an apprenticeship program, including by providing the skills and competency attainment needed to enter the apprenticeship program; and (2) that meets the requirements described in subsections (b) and (c). (b) Requirements The program— (1) is carried out in partnership with at least one sponsor of an apprenticeship program; (2) demonstrates the existence of an active advisory partnership with an industry or sector partnership to inform the training and education services necessary for a pre-apprenticeship program; (3) demonstrates evidence of sufficient openings in an apprenticeship program at the completion of a pre-apprenticeship program to support a transition from a pre-apprenticeship to an apprenticeship; (4) has strategies in place with apprenticeship programs that will increase employment opportunities for individuals with barriers to employment and create a diverse talent pipeline, such that, upon completion of a pre-apprenticeship program, they will meet the entry requirements for success in such programs; (5) has plans in place, either directly or through partnerships, to provide supportive services to pre-apprentices, to support the recruitment, retention, and completion of the program; (6) provides hands-on training to participants, when possible, that does not supplant the work of a full-time, paid employee but accurately simulates the occupational conditions of a partnering apprenticeship program, with proper supervision and safety protocols; and (7) provides a certificate of completion by the State apprenticeship agency, awarded to each individual who completes the program requirements set forth by the plan sponsor. (c) Written plan requirements The program includes a written plan developed by the sponsor that— (1) provides for work-based learning in which an industry or sector partnership and a related instruction provider collaborate to provide training that will introduce participants to the skills, competencies, and materials used in one or more apprenticeable occupations; (2) is based on and aligned with national, State, regional, or local industry standards for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations and the requirements of the related apprenticeship program; (3) ensures all individuals have an equal opportunity to participate in the program, as required by section 30 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act), and that the program will provide adequate and safe equipment, environments, and facilities for training and supervision, free from discrimination (including harassment and retaliation); (4) ensures the program has remote instruction contingency plans, if feasible, including providing educational technology that aids in regular and substantive interactions between pre-apprentice and classroom instructor; (5) provides training and professional development for instructors and staff to use technology and services, including for remote instruction; (6) to the extent appropriate and practicable includes enabling an individual to attain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and at least 1 recognized postsecondary credential; and (7) includes activities designed for career exposure, career planning, and career awareness. 3. Evaluation (a) Performance data collection Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Labor shall collect data on— (1) the performance of each pre-apprenticeship program using the disaggregated indicators of performance in section 116(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3141(b)(2)(A)(i) (2) how each such program spends resources; and (3) the diversity and equal opportunity in apprenticeships programs. (b) Research and plan for expansion of participation of certain populations Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor, acting through the Administrator of the Office of Apprenticeship, shall use the collected data to conduct research in State labor markets, in partnership with State apprenticeship agencies, to create a plan, on the basis of such research, to expand participation in registered pre-apprenticeship programs by nontraditional populations or individuals with barriers to employment such as youth, women, people of color, long-term unemployed, individuals with disabilities, individuals with substance abuse issues, individuals impacted by the criminal justice system, and veterans. 4. Grants (a) In general From the amounts appropriated to carry out this section, the Secretary of Labor shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities. (b) Priority In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that serve a high number or high percentage of individuals who are from nontraditional apprenticeship populations (with priority given to women, people of color, veterans, those who have been impacted by the juvenile or adult criminal justice system, and individuals with barriers to employment between the ages of 16 and 24). (c) Application To receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary determines may be necessary. (d) Limitation on use of funds No less than 5 percent of the funds awarded under this section shall be used to provide direct financial assistance to pre-apprentices to support financial needs to enter, remain enrolled in, and complete the apprenticeship program including, related costs of training, supplies, food and nutrition, housing, transportation, child care, mental health and substance abuse services, or other targeted costs deemed allowable by the Secretary. (e) Eligible entities defined In this section, an eligible entity (1) a community-based organization; (2) a pre-apprenticeship sponsor; (3) an employer for an in-demand industry sector or occupation; (4) a joint labor-management training program; or (5) a partnership among community-based organizations, public education entities, and apprenticeships. (f) Uses of funds A grant awarded under this section to an eligible entity may be used to carry out one or more of the following: (1) To provide technical assistance to pre-apprentices to help navigate supportive services and other Federal assistance programs (such as the supplemental nutrition assistance program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2011 (2) To conduct and improve outreach to nontraditional apprenticeship population. (3) To participate in pre-apprenticeship programs. (4) To facilitate a successful transition between pre-apprenticeship programs and apprenticeship programs. 5. Additional definitions In this Act: (1) Apprenticeship program The term apprenticeship program National Apprenticeship Act 29 U.S.C. 50 (2) Nontraditional Apprenticeship Population The term nontraditional apprenticeship population (3) Secretary The term Secretary (4) WIOA terms The terms community-based organization in-demand industry sectors or occupations individual with a barrier to employment recognized postsecondary credential supportive services 29 U.S.C. 3102

Summary: Expanding Opportunity through Pre-Apprenticeships Act This bill requires the Office of Apprenticeship (OA) within the Department of Labor to create a plan to expand participation in pre-apprenticeship programs for underrepresented populations and individuals with barriers to employment, and requires Labor to award related grants to certain eligible entities (e.g., community-based organizations, pre-apprenticeship sponsors, and employers for an in-demand industry or occupation). Specifically, the bill establishes pre-apprenticeship program standards and requirements; directs Labor to collect data on pre-apprenticeship programs, using workforce innovation and opportunity indicators of performance, on how programs resources are spent, and on the diversity and equal opportunity in apprenticeship programs; directs the OA in partnership with state apprenticeship agencies to conduct research in state labor markets and create a plan to expand participation in registered pre-apprenticeship programs for nontraditional populations or individuals with barriers to employment such as youth, women, people of color, long-term unemployed, individuals with disabilities, individuals with substance abuse issues, individuals impacted by the criminal justice system, and veterans; and provides grants to serve participants from nontraditional apprenticeship populations with preference to women, people of color, veterans, those who have been impacted by the youth or adult criminal justice system, and individuals with barriers to employment between the ages of 16 and 24.