I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 691 
To expand opportunities for pre-apprenticeship programs. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 2, 2021 
Mr. CA´RDENAS (for himself and Mr. DOGGETT) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor 
A BILL 
To expand opportunities for pre-apprenticeship programs. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Expanding Oppor-
tunity through Pre-Apprenticeships Act’’. 
SEC. 2. PRE-APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM STANDARDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In this Act, a ‘‘pre-apprenticeship 
program’’ means a program— 
(1) designed to— 
(A) assist individuals who do not meet 
minimum qualifications for an apprenticeship 
program; and 
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(B) prepare such individuals to enter and 
succeed in such an apprenticeship program, in-
cluding 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 ad-
visory partnership with an industry or sector part-
nership 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 opportuni-
ties for individuals with barriers to employment and 
create a diverse talent pipeline, such that, upon com-
pletion of a pre-apprenticeship program, they will 
meet the entry requirements for success in such pro-
grams; 
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(5) has plans in place, either directly or 
through partnerships, to provide supportive services 
to pre-apprentices, to support the recruitment, re-
tention, 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 apprentice-
ship program, with proper supervision and safety 
protocols; and 
(7) provides a certificate of completion by the 
State apprenticeship agency, awarded to each indi-
vidual 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 in-
struction provider collaborate to provide training 
that will introduce participants to the skills, com-
petencies, 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 
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occupations and the requirements of the related ap-
prenticeship program; 
(3) ensures all individuals have an equal oppor-
tunity 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 sub-
stantive interactions between pre-apprentice and 
classroom instructor; 
(5) provides training and professional develop-
ment for instructors and staff to use technology and 
services, including for remote instruction; 
(6) to the extent appropriate and practicable in-
cludes 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 expo-
sure, career planning, and career awareness. 
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SEC. 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 per-
formance in section 116(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Work-
force Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
3141(b)(2)(A)(i)), including participants who are 
people of color, women, 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; 
(2) how each such program spends resources; 
and 
(3) the diversity and equal opportunity in ap-
prenticeships programs. 
(b) RESEARCH AND PLAN FOR EXPANSION OF PAR-
TICIPATION OF CERTAIN POPULATIONS.—Not later than 
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary 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 reg-
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