National Youth Apprenticeship Opportunity Act of 1993

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Youth Apprenticeship 
Opportunity Act of 1993''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress finds that--
            (1) a significant proportion of youth in the United States 
        lack the necessary skills to meet employer requirements for 
        entry level positions;
            (2) significant numbers of our youth are doing poorly in 
        school and will eventually drop out because school seems 
        irrelevant to them;
            (3) the American workplace is changing in response to new 
        technology and heightened international competition, and the 
        jobs of the future will demand different and higher level 
        skills for which too many of our youth are not currently 
        trained;
            (4) in contrast to many competitor nations, the United 
        States has virtually no programs to provide support for youth 
        in making the transition from school to gainful employment;
            (5) the vast majority of American workers who do not attend 
        or complete college lack the skills necessary to secure 
        satisfying and gainful employment;
            (6) work-based learning models are effective approaches to 
        preparing youth, beginning at the secondary school level, for 
        high-wage, high-skilled employment;
            (7) three-fourths of American youth do not earn college 
        degrees, and many of those who do not could benefit from a more 
        structured method of attaining job skills, knowledge and 
        abilities;
            (8) the United States lacks a comprehensive approach 
        towards helping youth make the transition from school to the 
        workplace;
            (9) as a consequence of these policies, real wages have 
        declined and there is rising inequality in wages between those 
        who are well-trained and those who are not;
            (10) since global economic competition is making it 
        impossible for the United States to maintain a high standard of 
        living for the majority of its people without changes in human 
        capital policy, the choice facing the United States is either 
        to become a Nation of high skills or one of declining living 
        standards;
            (11) if the United States is to become a Nation of high 
        skills and high performance work organization, there must be a 
        fundamental change in the approach of the United States to 
        work, education, and training; and
            (12) to accomplish that change, American business, labor, 
        Federal, State, and local governments, and the education 
        community must join together and invest the time, talent, and 
        resources necessary to provide American youth the opportunity 
        to participate in high quality youth apprenticeships that will 
        lead to satisfying and gainful employment opportunities.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are to--
            (1) establish a nationally recognized system for the youth 
        apprenticeship approach to learning, while allowing States to 
        customize the model to economic, demographic, and other local 
        conditions;
            (2) establish a process that engages the business community 
        in partnerships with education to develop the capacity of 
        workplaces to serve as learning sites in order to ensure that 
        youth apprentices acquire academic and work-based competencies 
        and become skilled, flexible entry-level workers;
            (3) encourage businesses and labor organizations to 
        participate in youth apprenticeship programs;
            (4) encourage the public sector to participate in youth 
        apprenticeship programs;
            (5) motivate the nation's young people to remain in school, 
        improve their basic skills, and become productive citizens by 
        providing the opportunity to gain marketable skills while 
        establishing a relationship with a prospective employer;
            (6) prepare the youth of the United States for employment 
        in high-wage, high-skilled occupations;
            (7) provide for high achievement standards in order to 
        instill pride, self-esteem, and purpose in youth apprentices;
            (8) establish a systematic transition for youth apprentice 
        students from school to work by linking the academic curriculum 
        with a curriculum of work-site experience and learning; and
            (9) enhance the youth apprentice's prospects for immediate 
        employment after leaving school in positions that provide 
        significant opportunity for continued education and career 
        development.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    For the purpose of this Act, the following definitions apply--
            (1) the term ``youth apprenticeship program'' means a 
        program that--
                    (A) integrates academic instruction and work-based 
                learning;
                    (B) provides for work-site learning and paid work 
                experience;
                    (C) is offered to students beginning in the 11th 
                grade;
                    (D) is intended to----
                            (i) result in receipt of a high school 
                        diploma and an approved certificate of 
                        competency; and
                            (ii) lead, as appropriate, to entry into a 
                        postsecondary program, a program registered 
                        under the National Apprenticeship Act, or 
                        permanent employment; and
                    (E) otherwise meets the requirements of this Act.
            (2) The term ``youth apprenticeship agreement'' means the 
        written agreement between the employer, local educational 
        agency, student, and parent which defines the parties' 
        respective roles and responsibilities under the program.
            (3) The term ``youth apprentice'' means a student who is at 
        least 16 years of age, who is currently enrolled in a public 
        secondary school as defined in paragraph (21) of section 1471 
        of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 2891(21), and who is participating in a youth 
        apprenticeship program which meets the requirements of this 
        Act.
            (4) The term ``employer'' means any person or organization 
        employing a youth apprentice under youth apprenticeship program 
        which meets the requirements of this Act.
            (5) The term ``State'' means any of the several States, the 
        District of Columbia, American Samoa, the Federated States of 
        Micronesia, Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the 
        Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, the 
        Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
            (6) The term ``State Board'' has the meaning provided in 
        section 521 of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied 
        Technology Act (Carl D. Perkins Act) (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.).
            (7) The term ``local educational agency'' has the meaning 
        provided in section 521(22) of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational 
        and Applied Technology Act (Carl D. Perkins Act) (20 U.S.C. 
        2471).
            (8) The term ``skilled mentor'' means the individual at the 
        work site who instructs the apprentice, critiques performance, 
        challenges the apprentice to perform well, and works in 
        cooperation with classroom teachers.
            (9) The term ``institution of higher education'' has the 
        meaning provided in section 1201(a) of the Higher Education Act 
        of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1141(a)).
            (10) The term ``work-site training'' means hands-on work 
        that is performed for an employer under the supervision of a 
        skilled mentor which, when integrated with appropriate 
        occupational and academic instruction, will lead to proficiency 
        in an occupational area and for which financial compensation is 
        provided.

SEC. 4. STATE PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES AND ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) No later than fiscal year 1995 and in each year thereafter, 
each State Board that receives funds pursuant to this Act shall make 
grants to local educational agencies in a manner that ensures--
            (1) the widest possible participation among interested 11th 
        and 12th grade students; and
            (2) that grants to local educational agencies will be of 
        sufficient size, scope, and quality to assure the development 
        of high quality youth apprenticeship programs;
    (b) State Boards are also encouraged to consider designating an 
institution(s) of higher education to serve as a youth apprenticeship 
research and curriculum center to work with the State Board, local 
schools, community colleges, employers, and any other organizations or 
individuals that the State Board may deem appropriate, to develop 
appropriate curricula, occupational standards and assessments, and to 
provide technical assistance as necessary in the development and 
implementation of youth apprenticeship programs; and
    (c) Not more than 5 percent of the funds authorized to be 
appropriated in fiscal year 1995 and for any year thereafter may be 
used for administrative expenses in carrying out the purposes of this 
Act.

SEC. 5. LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES.

    (a) Each local educational agency that receives a grant under this 
Act must implement a youth apprenticeship program that--
            (1) Integrates occupational, technical, and academic 
        instruction;
            (2) Integrates work-site training and classroom instruction 
        throughout the initial 2 years (grades 11 and 12) of the 
        apprenticeship program;
            (3) Provides career counseling and any other career 
        exploration opportunities that may be appropriate to ensure 
        that students and parents are made aware of apprenticeship 
        options before such students complete the 10th grade;
            (4) Offers apprenticeships to students beginning in the 
        11th grade with the option to pursue an additional 1 or 2 years 
        of instruction and training in a community or technical 
        college;
            (5) Ensures that a sufficient number of credits obtained 
        during the postsecondary portion of youth apprenticeship 
        programs are transferable so that students may pursue a 4-year 
        college degree;
            (6) Ensures that each participating student enters into a 
        written youth apprenticeship agreement that is signed by a 
        school official, the employer, the student, and parent or 
        guardian;
            (7) Ensures that employers will devote the staff, 
        facilities, and equipment necessary to provide youth 
        apprentices with adequate work-site supervision, quality 
        instruction, and hands-on training on an ongoing basis;
            (8) Ensures that youth apprentices are provided with 
        adequate and safe equipment and a safe and healthful workplace 
        in conformity with all applicable Federal and State health and 
        safety standards;
            (9) Provides instruction sufficient to enable youth 
        apprentices to satisfy State requirements for a high school 
        diploma together with an appropriate skills certificate, upon 
        completion of the 12th grade;
            (10) Provides youth apprentice who successfully completes 
        the requisite 1 or 2 years of postsecondary instruction and 
        training the opportunity to obtain an associate degree or a 
        mastery of skills certificate;
            (11) Ensures that students receive financial compensation 
        from employers for work performed; and
            (12) Establishes an entity at the local level, such as a 
        steering committee comprised of representatives of education, 
        industry, labor, and the community, to assist in the planning 
        and oversight of youth apprenticeship programs.
    (b) In designing and implementing their youth apprenticeship 
programs, local educational agencies are encouraged to consider--
            (1) Forming school advisory committees whose members 
        include both vocational and academic teachers to provide 
        appropriate assistance and counseling to students who are 
        either engaged in or considering participation in a youth 
        apprenticeship program;
            (2) Using the tech-prep education program model, as 
        authorized by part E, title III of the Carl D. Perkins 
        Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act (20 U.S.C. 2394 
        et seq.), for the academic instruction component and for any 
        classroom instruction for the occupational/technical training 
        components of a youth apprenticeship program, in order to 
        enhance opportunities for youth apprentices to enter into 
        programs leading to an associate degree or certificate in an 
        occupational field or program; and
            (3) Using State and local vocational educational and job 
        training funds in support of youth apprenticeship programs.

SEC. 6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION.

    The Secretary of Education shall--
            (a) make grants to States in a manner consistent with Part 
        A of title I of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied 
        Technology Act (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) for the design and 
        implementation of youth apprenticeship programs provided for 
        under this Act;
            (b) establish, no later than January 1, 1994, an 
        Information Clearinghouse on Youth Apprenticeships as set forth 
        in section 8 of this Act;
            (c) identify, no later than January 1, 1994, no less than 3 
        successful youth apprenticeship programs that might serve as 
        model programs;
            (d) conduct studies and, no later than January 1, 1996, 
        submit a report to the House Committee on Education and Labor 
        and the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources on--
                    (1) the extent to which states are implementing 
                youth apprenticeship programs that meet the 
                requirements of this Act;
                    (2) the numbers of students participating in youth 
                apprenticeship programs, on a state-by-state basis;
                    (3) the extent to which youth apprenticeship 
                programs are impacting drop-out rates; and
                    (4) any other issues the Secretary deems 
                appropriate;
            (e) after consultation with the Secretary of Labor, make 
        recommendations, no later than January 1, 1996, to the House 
        Committee on Education and Labor and the Senate Committee on 
        Labor and Human Resources on further statutory changes that may 
        be necessary to--
                    (1) facilitate the successful implementation of 
                youth apprenticeship programs;
                    (2) ensure the availability of youth apprenticeship 
                programs to all students who may benefit from such 
                programs;
                    (3) facilitate coordination with other Federal 
                educational and occupational training programs, 
                including, but not limited to programs specified in 
                section 9 of this Act;
                    (4) ensure that students engaged in youth 
                apprenticeships are receiving the academic instruction 
                necessary to enable them to go on to obtain a 4-year 
                college degree; and
                    (5) promulgate regulations, as appropriate;
            (f) Not more than 3 percent of the funds authorized to be 
        appropriated for any fiscal year may be used for administrative 
        expenses in carrying out this Act.

SEC. 7. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SECRETARY OF LABOR.

    The Secretary of Labor shall--
            (a) provide technical assistance to the Secretary of 
        Education upon request;
            (b) assist in the development of recommendations to be made 
        to the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Senate 
        Committee on Labor and Human Resources as set forth under 
        section 6, paragraph (e) of this Act; and
            (c) conduct a study, in consultation with the Secretary of 
        Education, on the feasibility of establishing national 
        occupational standards to measure the achievement levels and/or 
        mastery of skills demonstrated by students who complete youth 
        apprenticeships--such study shall consider the feasibility of 
        establishing such standards for youth apprentices who 
        successfully complete the initial 2 years of the program as 
        well as for youth apprentices who successfully complete an 
        additional 1 or 2 years of postsecondary instruction and 
        training. The results of this study shall be provided to the 
        House Committee on Education and Labor and the Senate Committee 
        on Labor and Human Resources no later than January 1, 1995.

SEC. 8. INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE ON YOUTH APPRENTICESHIPS.

    There shall be established within the Department of Education an 
Information Clearinghouse on Youth Apprenticeships. The functions of 
the clearinghouse are to--
            (a) house information on youth apprenticeship programs, 
        including the model youth apprenticeship programs identified by 
        the Secretary pursuant to section 6, paragraph (c) of this Act; 
        and
            (b) disseminate information, upon request from State Boards 
        or local educational agencies, including information necessary 
        for the replication of the model youth apprenticeship programs.

SEC. 9. COORDINATION WITH OTHER FEDERAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING 
              PROGRAMS.

    (a) Vocational Education.--
            (1) Section 235(c) of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and 
        Applied Technology Act (Carl D. Perkins Act) (20 U.S.C. 2301 et 
        seq.) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating respectively subparagraphs (G) 
                through (N), as (H) through (O); and
                    (B) by inserting the following new subparagraph 
                (G)--
                    ``(G) youth apprenticeship programs;''.
            (2) A tech-prep education program, authorized by part E, 
        title III of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied 
        Technology Education Act (20 U.S.C. 2394 et seq.), may serve as 
        the classroom portion of the academic and work-based learning 
        components for the job training component of a youth 
        apprenticeship program.
    (b) Job Training.--
            (1) Youth apprenticeship programs are education and 
        training programs for purposes of state education coordination 
        and grants under section 123 of the Job Training Partnership 
        Act (29 U.S.C. 1533).
            (2) To the extent consistent with law, and otherwise 
        appropriate, youth programs carried out under Part A and Part B 
        of title II of the Job Training Partnership Act should be 
        merged with programs carried out under this Act.

SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) There are authorized to be appropriated $100,000,000 for fiscal 
year 1994 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 1995 
through 1998 to carry out the purposes of this Act.

Summary: National Youth Apprenticeship Opportunity Act of 1993 - Establishes a national system of support for State youth apprenticeship programs that:  (1) integrate academic and work-based learning; (2) provide for work-site learning and paid work experience; (3) are offered to students (16 years old or older) beginning in the 11th grade; and (4) are intended to result in receipt of a high school diploma and an approved certificate of competency, and, as appropriate, entry into a postsecondary program, a program registered under the National Apprenticeship Act, or permanent employment. 
Requires State boards of vocational education that receive funds under this Act to make grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) for such programs. 
Sets forth program responsibilities of LEA grantees. 
Directs the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) to:  (1) make such program grants to States; (2) establish, in the Department of Education, an Information Clearinghouse on Youth Apprenticeships; and (3) identify at least three successful youth apprenticeship programs to serve as models.  Directs the Secretary of Labor to:  (1) provide technical assistance to the Secretary upon request; and (2) study and report to specified congressional committees on the feasibility of establishing national occupational standards to measure achievement and skills mastery demonstrated by students who complete youth apprenticeships. 
Authorizes appropriations.