I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2933 
To promote effective registered apprenticeships, for skills, credentials, and 
employment, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 16, 2017 
Mr. POCAN (for himself, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Ms. DELAURO, Mr. ELLISON, 
Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts, Mr. VISCLOSKY, Mr. KIND, Mr. KILMER, 
Ms. KAPTUR, Ms. LEE, Mr. KHANNA, Mr. LOWENTHAL, Mr. TAKANO, 
Mr. JEFFRIES, Ms. NORTON, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. NADLER, Mr. NOR-
CROSS, Mr. KILDEE, Mrs. DAVIS of California, and Mr. DESAULNIER) in-
troduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Edu-
cation and the Workforce 
A BILL 
To promote effective registered apprenticeships, for skills, 
credentials, and employment, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Leveraging Effective Apprenticeships to Rebuild Na-
tional Skills Act’’ or the ‘‘LEARNS Act’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
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Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Findings and purposes. 
Sec. 3. Definitions. 
TITLE I—PROMOTING REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS 
Sec. 101. Promoting registered apprenticeship programs. 
Sec. 102. Promoting integration with postsecondary education. 
TITLE II—PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND ENHANCEMENT 
Sec. 201. Expanding registered apprenticeship programs. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) A highly skilled workforce is necessary to 
compete in the global economy, support economic 
growth, and maintain the standard of living of the 
United States. 
(2) The apprenticeship model is a longstanding, 
on-the-job training and education model that pre-
pares workers for the skill demands of particular oc-
cupations and employers while, at the same time, 
providing the workers with recognized, portable cre-
dentials, and wages while in training. 
(3) The registered apprenticeship program 
model has been successful in skilled trade industries, 
including construction and manufacturing, as well as 
service industries, such as health care, and holds 
great potential for expansion into other industries. 
(4) Registered apprenticeships are becoming in-
creasingly innovative and diverse in their designs, 
partnerships, timeframes, and use of emerging con-
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cepts such as competency-based learning, and will 
continue to evolve to meet emerging skill require-
ments, while maintaining high standards and qual-
ity. 
(5) Registered apprenticeship programs are an 
essential element of an effective workforce develop-
ment system and help individuals attain a recognized 
postsecondary credential, contributing to their per-
sonal economic sustainability. 
(6) According to a report from the Georgetown 
University Center on Education and the Workforce, 
by 2020 the United States will face a shortage of 
5,000,000 workers with recognized postsecondary 
credentials. 
(7) According to a 2012 report from the Annie 
E. Casey Foundation, youth employment in the 
United States has reached the lowest point since 
World War II. More than 6,000,000 young people 
ages 16 through 24 are disconnected from school 
and work. 
(8) A 2012 evaluation of registered apprentice-
ship programs in 10 States by Mathematica Policy 
Research found that— 
(A) individuals who completed registered 
apprenticeship programs earned over $240,000 
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more over their careers than individuals not 
participating in such apprenticeship programs; 
(B) the estimated social benefits of reg-
istered apprenticeship programs, including addi-
tional productivity of apprentices and the reduc-
tion in governmental expenditures as a result of 
reduced use of unemployment compensation and 
public assistance, exceeded the costs of the pro-
grams by more than $49,000 per program; and 
(C) the tax return on every Federal Gov-
ernment dollar invested in registered appren-
ticeship programs was $27. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this Act are— 
(1) to increase the number of highly skilled 
workers in the United States, particularly in in-de-
mand industry sectors and occupations; 
(2) to increase the attainment of recognized 
postsecondary credentials by participants; 
(3) to increase awareness about the value of the 
registered apprenticeship program model as an effec-
tive earn-and-learn model for students, workers, and 
employers; 
(4) to support the development and expansion 
of registered apprenticeship programs with employ-
ers, joint labor-management partnerships, trade and 
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professional associations, and other program spon-
sors, that offer jobs that lead to economic self-suffi-
ciency; 
(5) to support the development and expansion 
of effective pre-apprenticeship programs that lead to 
success in a registered apprenticeship program; 
(6) to support a closer alignment between reg-
istered apprenticeship programs, the workforce de-
velopment system, career and technical education, 
and postsecondary education, including institutions 
of higher education; and 
(7) to support innovative models of effective 
work-based learning. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the Office of Ap-
prenticeship appointed under section 101(a). 
(2) CAREER
PATHWAY.—The term ‘‘career 
pathway’’ has the meaning given the term in section 
3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
(29 U.S.C. 3102). 
(3) 
EDUCATIONAL
SERVICE
AGENCY.—The 
term ‘‘educational service agency’’— 
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(A) has the meaning given the term in sec-
tion 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801); and 
(B) includes a collaborative of those agen-
cies. 
(4) HIGH
SCHOOL.—The term ‘‘high school’’ 
means a nonprofit institutional day or residential 
school that— 
(A) provides secondary education, as deter-
mined under State law; 
(B) grants a diploma, as defined by the 
State; and 
(C) includes, at least, grade 12. 
(5) IN-DEMAND INDUSTRY SECTOR OR OCCUPA-
TION.—The term ‘‘in-demand industry sector or oc-
cupation’’ has the meaning given the term in section 
3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
(29 U.S.C. 3102). 
(6) LOCAL AND STATE WORKFORCE DEVELOP-
MENT BOARDS.—The terms ‘‘local workforce devel-
opment board’’ and ‘‘State workforce development 
board’’ have the meanings given the terms ‘‘local 
board’’ and ‘‘State board’’, respectively, in section 3 
of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
(29 U.S.C. 3102). 
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(7) NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP SYSTEM.—The 
term ‘‘national apprenticeship system’’ means the 
collective group of registered apprenticeship pro-
grams and pre-apprenticeship programs in the Na-
tion (including the rules and regulations governing 
the 2 types of programs). 
(8) POSTSECONDARY
EDUCATIONAL
INSTITU-
TION.—The term ‘‘postsecondary educational institu-
tion’’ means an institution of higher education, as 
defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002). 
(9) 
PRE-APPRENTICESHIP
PROGRAM.—The 
term ‘‘pre-apprenticeship program’’ means a pro-
gram or set of strategies that— 
(A) is designed to prepare individuals to 
enter and succeed in a registered apprenticeship 
program; 
(B) is carried out by an eligible entity 
(meaning 
an 
entity 
described 
in 
section 
101(b)(2)(C) that has an application approved 
under section 101(b)(3)) that has a documented 
partnership with at least 1 sponsor of a reg-
istered apprenticeship program; and 
(C) includes each of the following elements: 
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(i) Training (including a curriculum 
for the training), aligned with industry 
standards and reviewed and approved an-
nually by sponsors of the registered ap-
prenticeships within the documented part-
nership, that will prepare individuals by 
teaching the skills and competencies need-
ed to enter one or more registered appren-
ticeship programs. 
(ii) Provision of hands-on training and 
theoretical education to individuals that— 
(I) accurately simulates the in-
dustry and occupational conditions of 
the registered apprenticeship program 
described in subparagraph (B); 
(II) is carried out in a manner 
that includes proper observation of su-
pervision and safety protocols; and 
(III) is carried out in a manner 
that does not displace a paid em-
ployee. 
(iii) A formal agreement with a spon-
sor of a registered apprenticeship program 
that would enable participants who suc-
cessfully complete the pre-apprenticeship 
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program to enter directly into the reg-
istered apprenticeship program (if a place 
in the program is available), and includes 
agreements concerning earning credit rec-
ognized by a postsecondary educational in-
stitution for skills and competencies ac-
quired during the pre-apprenticeship pro-
gram. 
(10) RECOGNIZED
POSTSECONDARY
CREDEN-
TIAL.—The term ‘‘recognized postsecondary creden-
tial’’ has the meaning given the term in section 3 of 
the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
U.S.C. 3102). 
(11) 
REGISTERED
APPRENTICESHIP
PRO-
GRAM.—The term ‘‘registered apprenticeship pro-
gram’’ means a program registered under the Act of 
August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the ‘‘National 
Apprenticeship Act’’; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 
U.S.C. 50 et seq.). 
(12) SECRETARY.—Except as provided in sec-
tion 102 or as otherwise modified, the term ‘‘Sec-
retary’’ means the Secretary of Labor, acting 
through the Administrator. 
(13) SPONSOR.—The term ‘‘sponsor’’ means an 
employer, joint labor-management partnership, trade 
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association, professional association, labor organiza-
tion, or other entity that administers a registered 
apprenticeship program. 
TITLE I—PROMOTING 
REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS 
SEC. 101. PROMOTING REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PRO-
GRAMS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE OF APPREN-
TICESHIP.— 
(1) OFFICE.—There is established, in the Em-
ployment and Training Administration of the De-
partment of Labor, an Office of Apprenticeship. 
(2) ADMINISTRATOR.—The Office shall be 
headed by an Administrator of the Office of Appren-
ticeship appointed by the Assistant Secretary for 
Employment and Training. The Assistant Secretary 
shall appoint an individual who has the dem-
onstrated knowledge of registered apprenticeship 
programs necessary to serve as the Administrator. 
(3) 
RESPONSIBILITIES.—The 
Administrator, 
through the Office of Apprenticeship, shall carry out 
responsibilities including— 
(A) determining whether an apprenticeship 
program meets the requirements to become a 
registered apprenticeship program and main-
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tains the standards necessary to remain a reg-
istered apprenticeship program; 
(B) managing the national apprenticeship 
system; 
(C) carrying out activities under subsection 
(b) to promote effective pre-apprenticeship pro-
grams; 
(D) promoting awareness about registered 
apprenticeship programs, including carrying out 
activities under subsection (c); 
(E) engaging in regular updates of the reg-
istration process, ensuring that such process is 
easily accessible and efficient for use by spon-
sors of registered apprenticeship programs; 
(F) regularly engaging with the National 
Advisory Committee on Apprenticeships and en-
sure that the required reports of the Committee 
are submitted to the Secretary and transmitted 
to Congress; 
(G) promoting greater diversity in reg-
istered apprenticeship programs and pre-ap-
prenticeship programs, including by promoting 
outreach 
to 
underrepresented 
populations, 
youth, and veterans and supporting the develop-
ment of apprenticeship models; 
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(H) providing for evaluations and research, 
as described in subsection (e); 
(I) providing technical assistance to spon-
sors of registered apprenticeship programs, en-
tities who are interested in developing and be-
coming sponsors of registered apprenticeship 
programs, and eligible entities carrying out pre- 
apprenticeship programs; and 
(J) coordinating and aligning registered 
apprenticeship programs with other Federal 
education and training programs, including 
those authorized under the Workforce Innova-
tion and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et 
seq.) and the Carl D. Perkins Career and Tech-
nical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 
et seq.). 
(b) SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRE-AP-
PRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.— 
(1) SUPPORT.—The Secretary shall support the 
development of pre-apprenticeship programs. 
(2) GRANTS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Using funds available 
under subsection (f), the Secretary shall make 
grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities 
to provide the Federal share of the cost of car-
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rying out projects that support that develop-
ment. 
(B) PERIOD.—The Secretary shall make 
initial grants under this paragraph for periods 
of not more than 3 years, except that if an eli-
gible entity demonstrates satisfactory perform-
ance under paragraph (6) by the end of that 
third year, the Secretary may extend the grant 
period up to an additional 1 year for that enti-
ty. 
(C) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—To be eligible to 
receive a grant from the Secretary under this 
subsection, an entity shall be a public-private 
partnership consisting of— 
(i) a local educational agency, high 
school, area career and technical school (as 
defined in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins 
Career and Technical Education Act of 
2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302)), educational serv-
ice agency (as defined in section 8101 of 
the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)), 2- or 4- 
year postsecondary educational institution, 
or collaborative of such entities; 
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(ii) in a State with a State entity rec-
ognized by the Secretary of Labor to reg-
ister apprenticeship programs in that 
State, that entity; 
(iii) an industry or business, con-
sisting of an employer, a group of employ-
ers, a trade association, a professional as-
sociation, or an entity that sponsors a reg-
istered apprenticeship program; 
(iv) a State workforce development 
board or local workforce development 
board; and 
(v) to the maximum extent prac-
ticable— 
(I) a labor organization associ-
ated with the industry or occupation 
related to the pre-apprenticeship pro-
gram involved; and 
(II) a community-based organiza-
tion that provides pre-apprenticeship 
programs, as appropriate. 
(3) APPLICATIONS.—To be eligible to receive a 
grant from the Secretary under this subsection, an 
entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at 
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such time, in such manner, and containing such in-
formation as the Secretary may require, including— 
(A) a description of the training and cur-
riculum described in section 3(9)(C)(i), and how 
the proposed pre-apprenticeship program makes 
individuals who successfully complete the pre- 
apprenticeship program qualified to enter into 
an established registered apprenticeship pro-
gram; 
(B) evidence that there are or will be suffi-
cient openings available in the registered ap-
prenticeship program referenced in subpara-
graph (A) to enable the registered apprentice-
ship program sponsor to place into a cor-
responding registered apprenticeship those indi-
viduals who successfully complete the pre-ap-
prenticeship program; 
(C) information about the entity that dem-
onstrates the existence of an active, advisory 
partnership between the partners described in 
paragraph (2)(C) and the capacity, of a train-
ing and education provider in the entity, to pro-
vide the training and education services nec-
essary for a pre-apprenticeship program; and 
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(D) information about the proposed pre- 
apprenticeship program that demonstrates— 
(i) that the program is in an in-de-
mand industry or occupation in the region 
in which the project is located; 
(ii) the use of integrated work-based 
and academic learning that may include 
training in the workplace; 
(iii) the inclusion of career exploration 
focused activities, such as job shadowing, 
career information activities, and re´sume´ 
preparation, in the program; 
(iv) if the entity carrying out the 
project includes a high school, that the 
model to be used for the program leads to 
a high school diploma for participants 
without such a diploma; 
(v) how the pre-apprenticeship pro-
gram is aligned with and leverages re-
sources of career and technical education 
programs, programs and services author-
ized under the Workforce Innovation and 
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), 
or activities of entities that provide sup-
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portive services for participants in pre-ap-
prenticeship programs; and 
(vi) that the project aligns with an es-
tablished registered apprenticeship pro-
gram, including that the model used for 
the program leads to the attainment of 
skills and competencies necessary for en-
trance into the registered apprenticeship 
program for participants. 
(4) USE OF FUNDS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—An eligible entity that 
receives a grant under this subsection shall use 
the grant funds to carry out a project that im-
plements a pre-apprenticeship program. 
(B) REQUIRED
ACTIVITIES.—The eligible 
entity shall use the grant funds— 
(i) to pay for the cost of training or 
education associated with the pre-appren-
ticeship program; 
(ii) for curriculum development that 
align with the requirements of the appro-
priate registered apprenticeship programs 
and learning assessments; 
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(iii) to maintain a connection between 
the pre-apprenticeship program and reg-
istered apprenticeship program; 
(iv) for assessments of potential par-
ticipants for, and enrollment of the partici-
pants in, the pre-apprenticeship program; 
and 
(v) to conduct evaluations described in 
paragraph (6)(B). 
(C) ALLOWABLE ACTIVITIES.—The eligible 
entity may use the grant funds for— 
(i) teacher training, including pro-
viding externship opportunities for teachers 
to learn about the skill needs of the indus-
try or occupation that the pre-apprentice-
ship program focuses on; 
(ii) stipends for participants during 
work-based training in the program; or 
(iii) coordination of activities under 
this subsection with activities carried out 
under the Carl D. Perkins Career and 
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 
U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) or the Workforce In-
novation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
3101 et seq.). 
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(5) FEDERAL SHARE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Federal share of 
the cost described in paragraph (2)(A) shall be 
75 percent. 
(B) NON-FEDERAL
SHARE.—The eligible 
entity may contribute the non-Federal share of 
the cost in cash or in-kind, fairly evaluated, in-
cluding plant, equipment, or services. 
(6) PERFORMANCE.— 
(A) MEASURES.—The Secretary shall iden-
tify a set of common measures that, at a min-
imum, include measures of entry into a reg-
istered apprenticeship program and that are 
aligned with performance accountability meas-
ures described in section 116(c) of the Work-
force Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
U.S.C. 3141(c)) for the local workforce develop-
ment area (meaning a local area, as defined in 
section 3 of that Act) and with corresponding 
measures under the Carl D. Perkins Career and 
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 
2301 et seq.), as appropriate. 
(B) EVALUATIONS.—Each eligible entity 
that receives a grant to carry out a project 
under this subsection shall arrange for another 
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qualified entity to conduct an evaluation, or 
shall participate in a Department of Labor 
sponsored evaluation, of the project using the 
identified common measures, and shall, to the 
extent practicable, cooperate with the evaluator 
in any evaluations of activities carried out 
under this section. 
(C) EXTENSIONS.—The Secretary shall 
use the results of an evaluation for a project to 
determine whether to extend the grant period, 
or renew a grant, for the project under para-
graph (2)(B). 
(c) PROMOTING AWARENESS OF REGISTERED AP-
PRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—To promote awareness about 
registered apprenticeship programs, the Secretary, 
in cooperation with the Secretary of Education and 
the Secretary of Commerce, shall ensure that timely, 
current information about the value of registered ap-
prenticeship programs in the labor market is made 
available through a range of widely accessible for-
mats and venues. The information shall be made 
available to businesses, trade associations, profes-
sional associations, students, parents, workers, edu-
cational institutions, workforce and economic devel-
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opment organizations, and State and local elected of-
ficials. 
(2) INFORMATION
FOR
STATE
AND
LOCAL 
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARDS.—To promote 
awareness about registered apprenticeship programs 
within the workforce development system, the Sec-
retary shall disseminate information on the value of 
registered apprenticeship programs, to State and 
local workforce development boards described in sub-
section (b)(2)(C)(iv), which information shall in-
clude— 
(A) a list of registered apprenticeship pro-
grams in the State involved; 
(B) guidance for training staff of the 
workforce development system within the State 
on the value of registered apprenticeship pro-
grams, including relevant placement, retention 
and earnings information, as a training option 
for participants; 
(C) guidance on how individual training 
accounts under section 134(c)(3) of the Work-
force Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
U.S.C. 3174(c)(3)) could be used by partici-
pants for a registered apprenticeship program; 
and 
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(D) guidance on how performance account-
ability measures under section 116 of the 
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
U.S.C. 3141) apply to participants in registered 
apprenticeship programs, including relevant 
placement, retention and earnings information. 
(3) INFORMATION FOR EMPLOYERS, TRADE AS-
SOCIATIONS, PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS, INDUS-
TRY GROUPS AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS.—To pro-
mote awareness about registered apprenticeship pro-
grams to workers and employers, the Secretary, in 
cooperation with the Secretary of Commerce, shall 
provide information about the value of registered ap-
prenticeship programs, including relevant placement, 
retention and earnings information, through the one- 
stop delivery systems described in section 121 of the 
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
U.S.C. 3151), to employers, trade associations, pro-
fessional associations, industry groups, and labor or-
ganizations, which information shall include, at a 
minimum— 
(A) a list of registered apprenticeship pro-
grams in the State; 
(B) information on how to develop a reg-
istered apprenticeship program; and 
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(C) information on financial resources 
available to assist with the establishment and 
implementation of registered apprenticeship 
programs. 
(4) 
INFORMATION
FOR
STUDENTS
AND 
SCHOOLS.—To promote awareness about registered 
apprenticeship programs among students and school 
staff, the Secretary, in cooperation with the Sec-
retary of Education, shall disseminate information 
on the value of registered apprenticeship programs, 
including relevant placement, retention and earnings 
information, to high schools, area career and tech-
nical education schools (as defined in subsection 
(b)(2)(C)(i)), 2- and 4-year postsecondary edu-
cational institutions, and educational service agen-
cies, to enable, at a minimum— 
(A) parents to understand registered ap-
prenticeship programs and their value in post-
secondary education and career pathways; 
(B) students to understand registered ap-
prenticeship programs and their value in career 
pathways; 
(C) career and academic counselors to un-
derstand registered apprenticeship programs as 
a valuable postsecondary education option for 
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students leading to job placement in in-demand 
industries and occupations; and 
(D) school administrators, workforce and 
economic development coordinators, and teach-
ers and faculty to assist with the development, 
implementation, and continuation of registered 
apprenticeship programs. 
(d) SECRETARY’S NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
ON APPRENTICESHIPS.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—There is established in 
the Department of Labor a National Advisory 
Committee on Apprenticeships, referred to in 
this section as the ‘‘Advisory Committee’’. 
(B) COMPOSITION.—The Advisory Com-
mittee shall have— 
(i) 21 voting members appointed by 
the Secretary, composed of— 
(I) 7 representatives of employers 
who participate in a registered ap-
prenticeship program, including em-
ployers who participate in a registered 
apprenticeship program sponsored by 
a joint labor-management partnership; 
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(II) 7 representatives of labor or-
ganizations who have responsibility 
for the administration of a registered 
apprenticeship program sponsored by 
a joint labor-management partnership; 
(III) 7 representatives of State 
apprenticeship agencies, community 
organizations with significant experi-
ence with a registered apprenticeship 
program, and 2- or 4-year postsec-
ondary educational institutions with 
at least one articulation agreement 
with the entity administering a reg-
istered apprenticeship program; and 
(ii) members who are ex officio non-
voting representatives from the Depart-
ments of Labor, Commerce, Education, 
Energy, Housing and Urban Development, 
and Health and Human Services. 
(C) QUALIFICATIONS.—The members shall 
be selected upon the basis of their experience 
and competence concerning apprenticeships. 
(D) TERMS.—The Secretary shall appoint 
the members for terms of 4 years. 
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(2) CHAIRPERSON.—The Secretary shall des-
ignate one of the members of the Advisory Com-
mittee to serve as Chairperson of the Advisory Com-
mittee. 
(3) MEETINGS.—The Advisory Committee shall 
hold not fewer than 2 meetings during each calendar 
year. All meetings of the Advisory Committee shall 
be open to the public. A transcript shall be kept of 
each meeting and made available for public inspec-
tion. 
(4) DUTIES.—The Advisory Committee shall 
advise, consult with, and make recommendations to 
the Secretary on matters relating to the administra-
tion of this title and the Act of August 16, 1937 
(commonly known as the ‘‘National Apprenticeship 
Act’’; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et 
seq.). 
(5) PERSONNEL.— 
(A) PROCUREMENT.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—The Chairperson of 
the Advisory Committee may procure the 
temporary and intermittent services of vot-
ing members of the Advisory Committee 
under section 3109(b) of title 5, United 
States Code, at rates for individuals that 
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do not exceed the daily equivalent of the 
annual rate of basic pay prescribed for 
level V of the Executive Schedule under 
section 5316 of such title. 
(ii) OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES OF THE 
UNITED STATES.—All members of the Ad-
visory Committee who are officers or em-
ployees of the United States shall serve 
without compensation in addition to that 
received for their services as officers or 
employees of the United States. 
(B) STAFF.—The Secretary shall supply 
the Committee with an executive secretary and 
provide such secretarial, clerical, and other 
services as the Secretary determines to be nec-
essary to enable the Advisory Committee to 
conduct its business. 
(6) PERMANENT
COMMITTEE.—Section 14 of 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
App.) shall not apply to the advisory committee. 
(e) EVALUATIONS AND RESEARCH.— 
(1) EVALUATIONS OF PROGRAMS AND ACTIVI-
TIES CARRIED OUT UNDER THIS TITLE.—For the 
purpose of improving the management and effective-
ness of the programs and activities carried out 
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under this title, the Secretary shall provide for the 
continuing evaluation, by an independent entity, of 
the programs and activities, including activities car-
ried out under subsection (a)(3)(C). Such evalua-
tions shall address— 
(A) the general effectiveness of such pro-
grams and activities in relation to their cost, in-
cluding the extent to which the programs and 
activities— 
(i) improve the skill and employment 
competencies of participants in comparison 
to comparably situated individuals who did 
not participate in such programs and ac-
tivities; and 
(ii) to the extent feasible, increase the 
level of total employment and recognized 
postsecondary credential attainment over 
the level that would have existed in the ab-
sence of such programs and activities; 
(B) the impact of the programs and activi-
ties for the participants, sponsors, and employ-
ers; 
(C) the return on investment of Federal, 
State, local, sponsor, employer, and other fund-
ing for registered apprenticeships to capture the 
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full level of investment in, and impact of, reg-
istered apprenticeships; 
(D) the longitudinal outcomes for partici-
pants in the programs and activities; and 
(E) the impact of specific policies on the 
general effectiveness of such programs and ac-
tivities. 
(2) RESEARCH.—The Secretary may conduct, 
through an independent entity, research on best 
practices in registered apprenticeship programs and 
pre-apprenticeship programs and other issues relat-
ing to such programs. 
(3) TECHNIQUES.—Evaluations and research 
conducted under this subsection shall utilize appro-
priate methodology and research designs. 
(4) REPORTS.—The independent entity carrying 
out the evaluations described in paragraph (1) or re-
search described in paragraph (2) shall prepare and 
submit to the Secretary a final report containing the 
results of the evaluations or research, respectively, 
and including policy recommendations. The final re-
port shall be made available for public inspection. 
Not later than 36 months after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall produce a final 
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report related to the return on investment described 
in paragraph (1)(C). 
(5) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 
60 days after the completion of all the final reports 
described in paragraph (4), the Secretary shall 
transmit the final reports to the Committee on Edu-
cation and the Workforce of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Health, Edu-
cation, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate. 
(6) PUBLIC ACCESS.—The Secretary shall de-
velop a mechanism to make research developed 
under this title publically available in a timely man-
ner. 
(f) RESERVATION.—The Secretary shall reserve not 
less than 10 percent of the funds appropriated under sub-
section (g) for each fiscal year for grants to States. A 
State that receives such a grant shall use the grant funds 
for the purpose of assisting the Administrator in carrying 
out the activities under this section, and may use the grant 
funds to support the voluntary establishment of a State 
apprenticeship office, if no such office exists in the State. 
(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$75,000,000 for fiscal year 2018 and each subsequent 
year. 
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SEC. 
102. 
PROMOTING 
INTEGRATION 
WITH 
POSTSEC-
ONDARY EDUCATION. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) 
COLLABORATIVE.—The 
term 
‘‘Collabo-
rative’’ means the Registered Apprenticeship-College 
Collaborative established under subsection (b)(1). 
(2) SECRETARIES.—The term ‘‘Secretaries’’ 
means the Secretary of Labor, acting through the 
Administrator, working jointly with the Secretary of 
Education, acting through the Assistant Secretary 
for the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Edu-
cation. 
(b) COLLABORATIVE WITH 2- AND 4-YEAR POSTSEC-
ONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretaries shall 
establish and maintain a voluntary Registered Ap-
prenticeship-College Collaborative. The Collaborative 
shall consist of the sponsors carrying out registered 
apprenticeship programs, 2- or 4-year postsecondary 
educational institutions, and organizations that rep-
resent such programs or institutions, that agree to 
meet certain criteria in order to support the pur-
poses described in paragraph (2). 
(2) PURPOSES.—The Collaborative shall sup-
port the purposes of— 
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(A) promoting stronger connections be-
tween the registered apprenticeship programs 
involved and participating 2- and 4-year post-
secondary educational institutions; 
(B) promoting the translation of experi-
ence in a registered apprenticeship program to 
academic credit at participating 2- and 4-year 
postsecondary educational institutions; 
(C) facilitating the enrollment of an indi-
vidual who has completed a registered appren-
ticeship program (referred to in this section as 
an ‘‘apprentice’’) at a participating 2- or 4-year 
postsecondary educational institution for the 
purpose of attaining academic credit toward an 
associate’s or more advanced degree; 
(D) advancing the attainment of associ-
ate’s and more advanced degrees by appren-
tices; 
(E) promoting the attainment of recog-
nized postsecondary credentials with value in 
the labor market; and 
(F) expanding awareness about the value 
of registered apprenticeship programs as a 
postsecondary education option. 
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(3) PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS.—The Secre-
taries shall establish criteria that any interested 2- 
or 4-year postsecondary educational institution or 
sponsor shall meet in order to participate in the Col-
laborative, which criteria shall include, at a min-
imum— 
(A) for a 2- or 4-year postsecondary edu-
cational institution— 
(i) agreement to recognize and accept 
the academic credit (as assessed under 
subparagraph (B)(i)) earned by an appren-
tice for, and the assessment of the appren-
tice’s learning in, a registered apprentice-
ship program at another participating in-
stitution; 
(ii) agreement to have a formal ar-
ticulation agreement with a participating 
sponsor of a registered apprenticeship pro-
gram, other than a 2- or 4-year postsec-
ondary educational institution; and 
(iii) agreement to provide certain in-
formation, as determined by the Secre-
taries, to the Collaborative; and 
(B) for a sponsor— 
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(i) agreement to participate in third- 
party evaluations of the quality and rigor 
of the program offerings in order to deter-
mine the value of academic credit for 
learning during a registered apprenticeship 
program; 
(ii) agreement to have a formal ar-
ticulation agreement with a participating 
2- or 4-year postsecondary educational in-
stitution; and 
(iii) agreement to provide certain in-
formation, as determined by the Secre-
taries, to the Collaborative. 
(4) MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In order to participate 
in the Collaborative, interested 2- or 4-year 
postsecondary 
educational 
institutions 
and 
sponsors shall agree to meet certain conditions 
determined by the Secretaries. 
(B) CONDITIONS.—Such conditions shall 
address, at a minimum— 
(i) how learning during a registered 
apprenticeship program, including related 
instruction and on-the-job training, will be 
assessed for academic credit; 
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(ii) how programs and procedures, es-
pecially those related to admissions, credit 
transfer, and recognition of such learning 
will be structured to support accessibility 
for apprentices; 
(iii) how the structure and scheduling 
of courses will be developed in a way that 
supports the matriculation of apprentices; 
and 
(iv) how residency requirements will 
support the transferability of credit earned 
by apprentices. 
(5) PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION.—The 
Secretaries shall maintain a publicly accessible 
website identifying, at a minimum— 
(A) the participating members of the Col-
laborative in each State; 
(B) a model for articulation agreements, 
and copies of some exemplary articulation 
agreements for illustrative purposes; and 
(C) such other information as the Secre-
taries determine to be necessary to promote 
awareness of the Collaborative and its members. 
(6) USE OF FUNDS.— 
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(A) 
ADMINISTRATIVE.—The 
Secretaries 
shall use 30 percent of the funds appropriated 
under subsection (c) to establish and maintain 
the Collaborative and the website referred to in 
paragraph (5), to support the advisory com-
mittee referred to in paragraph (6), and for 
technical assistance, evaluation, and research 
activities. 
(B) FOR
PROGRAM
PARTICIPANTS.—The 
Secretaries shall use 70 percent of the appro-
priated funds to carry out, directly or by grant 
or contract with an eligible entity, activities 
consisting of— 
(i) providing funding to Collaborative 
participants to support the development of 
articulation agreements with other Collabo-
rative participants; 
(ii) providing funding to the Collabo-
rative to support the assessment of learn-
ing during a registered apprenticeship pro-
gram, for academic credit; 
(iii) providing funding to the Collabo-
rative to support third-party evaluations of 
the quality and rigor of program offerings, 
referred to in paragraph (3)(B)(i), which 
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evaluations shall be conducted by an entity 
that meets minimum criteria as established 
by the Secretaries; 
(iv) providing curriculum develop-
ment, for participating institutions and 
sponsors; and 
(v) carrying out other purposes that 
will help participating 2- and 4-year post-
secondary educational institutions and 
sponsors meet the requirements of para-
graphs (3) and (4). 
(C) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—To be eligible to 
receive a grant or contract under subparagraph 
(B), an entity shall be a partnership comprised 
of— 
(i) at least 1-, 2-, or 4-year postsec-
ondary educational institution participating 
in the Collaborative; and 
(ii) at least 1 sponsor of a registered 
apprenticeship program participating in 
the Collaborative. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$5,000,000 for fiscal year 2018 and each subsequent year. 
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TITLE II—PROGRAM DEVELOP-
MENT AND ENHANCEMENT 
SEC. 201. EXPANDING REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PRO-
GRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide pay-
ments of assistance for eligible sponsors of new (as of the 
date of submission of an application under subsection (b)) 
registered apprenticeship programs, or for eligible spon-
sors of existing registered apprenticeship programs that 
add employers as new (as of such date) partners, which 
may include joint labor-management registered appren-
ticeship programs. 
(b) APPLICATIONS.—To be eligible to receive pay-
ments under this section for a registered apprenticeship 
program, a sponsor shall submit an application to the Sec-
retary including information demonstrating that (as of the 
date of submission)— 
(1)(A) for a new registered apprenticeship pro-
gram, the program received recognition as a reg-
istered apprenticeship program within the 36 
months preceding that date; or 
(B) for an existing registered apprenticeship 
program (which may include joint labor-management 
registered apprenticeship programs), employers were 
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added as new partners within the 36 months pre-
ceding that date; 
(2) the sponsor offered jobs that lead to eco-
nomic self-sufficiency, as determined by a local 
workforce development board located in the same 
local workforce development area (meaning a local 
area, as defined in section 3 of the Workforce Inno-
vation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102)); 
(3) the sponsor has demonstrated success in en-
rolling, instructing, advancing, and graduating indi-
viduals in the relevant registered apprenticeship pro-
gram, and in the employment of such individuals 
after completion of the program; and 
(4) the sponsor had not received a payment 
under subsection (d) for that registered apprentice-
ship program. 
(c) USE OF FUNDS.—In providing assistance under 
this section, the Secretary shall arrange to provide pay-
ments as described in subsection (a) for eligible sponsors, 
as funds are available under this section. Funds made 
available through such a payment shall be used to reim-
burse an eligible sponsor for the allowable costs of estab-
lishing or expanding the registered apprenticeship pro-
gram involved. The maximum total payment to any one 
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sponsor may not exceed $25,000 or 50 percent of the al-
lowable costs. 
(d) DISBURSEMENT.—The Secretary shall enter into 
arrangements with State workforce development boards to 
make disbursements through the local workforce develop-
ment boards described in subsection (b)(2) to provide the 
payments to the eligible sponsors. 
(e) EVALUATIONS.—Sponsors receiving grants under 
this section shall, to the extent practicable, cooperate with 
the Secretary in the conduct of evaluations of the activities 
carried out under this section. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 
for fiscal year 2018 and each subsequent year. 
(2) RESERVATION.—The Secretary may reserve 
5 percent of the amount appropriated under para-
graph (1) for a fiscal year for distribution to the 
State workforce development boards and local work-
force development boards, to pay for the costs of the 
boards associated with making determinations under 
subsection (b)(2) and disbursements under sub-
section (d), and as funds remain available, other 
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costs of administration and management, technical 
assistance, research, and evaluation under this Act. 
Æ 
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