Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2021

To authorize funding to expand and support enrollment at institutions of higher education that sponsor construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship programs, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2021 2. Community outreach grant program (a) In general From the amounts appropriated under subsection (f), the Secretary of Education shall provide grants to eligible entities for the purposes of expanding or supporting potential student and employer outreach carried out by such entities with respect to the construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship programs offered by such entities. (b) Amounts The total grant amount made to an eligible entity under this section may not exceed $500,000. (c) Use of grants An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use such grant for the outreach described in subsection (a), which shall include the following: (1) Outreach to high schools, for the purpose of educating students, parents, guardians, and faculty on the benefits of enrolling in the construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship program offered by the eligible entity. (2) Outreach to local businesses and other potential employers for the purpose of educating such employers on the benefits of hiring graduates of such program, which shall— (A) primarily target relationship building with potential employers in rural, exurban, and suburban areas; and (B) seek to maximize the number of students who work in such areas after completing such program. (3) Outreach to local workforce development boards for the purpose of reaching nontraditional student populations and prioritizing local needs. (d) Application requirements An eligible entity seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (e) Priority In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that demonstrate outreach efforts targeted at increasing program enrollment for rural, first generation, minority, and nontraditional students, or other students from underrepresented population. (f) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 to carry out this section for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025. 3. Student support grant program for expanded academic advising (a) In general From the amounts appropriated under subsection (g), the Secretary of Education shall provide grants to eligible entities for the activities described in subsection (d). (b) Amounts The total grant amount made to an eligible entity under this section may not exceed $500,000. (c) Multiple grants permitted An eligible entity may receive a grant under sections 2 and 3. (d) Use of grants (1) In general An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use such grant for advising and support services to enrollees of construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship programs offered by such entity to increase retention and persistence for students. (2) Requirements Such advising and support services shall include the following: (A) Expanding academic advising programs that provide services to students, including the following: (i) Career advising and professional development. (ii) Support for English as a second language students. (iii) Information and resource systems. (iv) Mentoring systems. (v) Other such programs. (B) Expanding student support programs that provide services to students, including the following: (i) Health and family-related services, including substance abuse disorder and mental health counseling. (ii) Support for first-generation students. (iii) Childcare support. (iv) Other such programs. (v) In the case of an eligible entity that is a construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship program, maintaining its accreditation by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association recognized by the Secretary of Education pursuant to part H of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1099a (e) Application requirements An eligible entity seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (f) Report (1) In general An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary a report on— (A) the activities supported by the grant; (B) the number of students participating in the activities supported by the grant; (C) any progress made in achieving the goals of the program supported by the grant, in general, and measuring in particular— (i) the effectiveness of the grant in expanding overall enrollment and program completion rates; and (ii) the effectiveness of the grant in expanding enrollment and program completion rates for underrepresented populations; and (D) such other information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. (2) Timeline for submission of report The report under paragraph (1) shall be submitted to the Secretary not later than 180 days after the date on which the eligible entity concludes the activities supported by the grant under this section. (g) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025. 4. Definitions In this Act: (1) Construction and manufacturing-oriented apprenticeship college The term construction and manufacturing-oriented apprenticeship college (A) an institution of higher education that is a sponsor of a construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship program; or (B) a construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship program. (2) Construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship program The term construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship program (A) provides coursework and training in preparation for employment in the construction or manufactory industry (such as employment as a painter, drywall finisher, glazier, or glassworker); (B) (i) leads to a recognized postsecondary credential other than a certificate of completion of an apprenticeship; or (ii) awards credits that can be applied toward a recognized postsecondary credential; and (C) is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association recognized by the Secretary of Education pursuant to part H of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1099a (3) Eligible entity The term eligible entity (4) First generation college student The term first generation college student 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11(h) (5) High school The term high school 20 U.S.C. 7801 (6) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education 20 U.S.C. 1001(a) (7) Outreach The term outreach (8) Recognized postsecondary credential The term recognized postsecondary credential 29 U.S.C. 3102 (9) Registered apprenticeship program The term registered apprenticeship program National Apprenticeship Act 29 U.S.C. 50 (10) Second language The term second language (11) Secretary The term Secretary (12) Underrepresented population The term underrepresented population

Summary: Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Education to award grants to institutions of higher education that sponsor construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship programs for (1) expanding or supporting outreach to high schools, local businesses, and local workforce development boards; and (2) providing advising and support services to students who are enrolled in these apprenticeship programs.