I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8317 
To encourage employer participation in the national apprenticeship system. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 
Mrs. TRAHAN (for herself and Mr. MORELLE) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor 
A BILL 
To encourage employer participation in the national 
apprenticeship system. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF GRANTS, CONTRACTS, AND 
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS. 
The Administrator of the Office of Apprenticeship of 
the Department of Labor shall award grants, contracts, 
or cooperative agreements to eligible entities on a competi-
tive basis for the following purposes: 
(1) 
ENCOURAGING
EMPLOYER
PARTICIPA-
TION.—To encourage employer participation in pro-
grams under the national apprenticeship system— 
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(A) that target individuals with barriers to 
employment in youth apprenticeship, pre-ap-
prenticeship, 
or 
apprenticeship 
programs, 
prioritizing nontraditional apprenticeship popu-
lations such as women, minorities, long-term 
unemployed, individuals with a disability, indi-
viduals with substance abuse issues, veterans, 
military spouses, individuals experiencing home-
lessness, individuals impacted by the criminal or 
juvenile justice system, and foster and former 
foster youth; 
(B) that are in high-need social service-re-
lated industries, sectors, or occupations, such as 
direct care workers and early childhood edu-
cators; 
(C) that target individuals currently or re-
cently incarcerated; or 
(D) among small- and medium-sized em-
ployers. 
(2) IN-DEMAND INDUSTRY SECTOR OR OCCUPA-
TION GRANTS FOR SMALL- AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSI-
NESSES.—An eligible entity that receives funds 
under this section shall use such funds to encourage 
participation of small- and medium-sized businesses 
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in programs under the national apprenticeship sys-
tem, which may include— 
(A) providing financial assistance to em-
ployers to support costs related to the program, 
such as training incumbent workers as mentors 
or employees supervising the on-the-job learn-
ing; 
(B) supporting the cost of related instruc-
tion or wages for program participants during 
related instruction; 
(C) providing technical assistance to small- 
and medium-sized businesses on the program 
registration process and leveraging other avail-
able funds to support carrying out programs 
supported by this grant; or 
(D) establishing or expanding partnerships 
to support program development or expansion, 
including establishing or expanding industry or 
sector partnerships to ensure inclusion of small- 
and medium-sized businesses. 
SEC. 2. ELIGIBLE ENTITY DEFINED. 
In this Act, the term ‘‘eligible entity’’ means— 
(1) a program sponsor; 
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(2) a State workforce development board or 
State workforce agency, or a local workforce develop-
ment board or local workforce development agency; 
(3) an education and training provider, or a 
consortium thereof; 
(4) if the applicant is in a State with a State 
apprenticeship agency, such State apprenticeship 
agency; 
(5) an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization; 
(6) an industry or sector partnership, a group 
of employers, a trade association, or a professional 
association that sponsors or participates in a pro-
gram under the national apprenticeship system; 
(7) a Governor; 
(8) a labor organization or joint labor manage-
ment organization; or 
(9) a qualified intermediary. 
Æ 
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