I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8339 
To expand opportunities for pre-apprenticeships programs. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 
Ms. FUDGE (for herself and Mr. CA´RDENAS) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor 
A BILL 
To expand opportunities for pre-apprenticeships 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) prepares 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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istered pre-apprenticeship programs by nontraditional 
populations or individuals with barriers to employment 
such as youth, women, people of color, long-term unem-
ployed, individuals with disabilities, individuals with sub-
stance abuse issues, individuals impacted by the criminal 
justice system, and veterans. 
SEC. 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 sec-
tion, 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 sec-
tion, 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 nec-
essary. 
(d) LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS.—No less than 
5 percent of the funds awarded under this section shall 
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be used to provide direct financial assistance to pre-ap-
prentices to support financial needs to enter, remain en-
rolled in, and complete the apprenticeship program includ-
ing, related costs of training, supplies, food and nutrition, 
housing, transportation, child care, mental health and sub-
stance abuse services, or other targeted costs deemed al-
lowable by the Secretary. 
(e) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES DEFINED.—In this section, 
an ‘‘eligible entity’’ includes— 
(1) a community-based organization; 
(2) a pre-apprenticeship sponsor; 
(3) an employer for an in-demand industry sec-
tor or occupation; 
(4) a joint labor-management training program; 
or 
(5) a partnership among community-based or-
ganizations, public education entities, and appren-
ticeships. 
(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-ap-
prentices to help navigate supportive services and 
other Federal assistance programs (such as the sup-
plemental nutrition assistance program under the 
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Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et 
seq.) to enter and remain enrolled in apprenticeship 
programs. 
(2) To conduct and improve outreach to non-
traditional apprenticeship population. 
(3) To participate in pre-apprenticeship pro-
grams. 
(4) To facilitate a successful transition between 
pre-apprenticeship programs and apprenticeship pro-
grams. 
SEC. 5. ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) APPRENTICESHIP
PROGRAM.—The term 
‘‘apprenticeship program’’ means an apprenticeship 
program registered under the Act of August 16, 
1937 (commonly known as the ‘‘National Appren-
ticeship Act’’; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 
50 et seq.), including any requirement, standard, or 
rule promulgated under such Act, as such require-
ment, standard, or rule was in effect on December 
30, 2019. 
(2) NONTRADITIONAL APPRENTICESHIP POPU-
LATION.—The term ‘‘nontraditional apprenticeship 
population’’ means a group of individuals (such as 
a group of individuals from the same gender or race) 
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the members of which comprise fewer than 25 per-
cent of the individuals participating in a program 
under the national apprenticeship system. 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Labor. 
(4) WIOA TERMS.—The terms ‘‘community- 
based organization’’, ‘‘in-demand industry sectors or 
occupations’’, ‘‘individual with a barrier to employ-
ment’’, ‘‘recognized postsecondary credential’’, and 
‘‘supportive services’’ have the meanings given the 
terms in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and 
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102). 
Æ 
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