Expanding Opportunity through Pre-Apprenticeships Act
Bill: H.R.691 | Sponsor: Rep. Cárdenas, Tony (D-CA)
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
Expanding Opportunity through Pre-Apprenticeships Act
This bill requires the Office of Apprenticeship (OA) within the Department of Labor to create a plan to expand participation in pre-apprenticeship programs for underrepresented populations and individuals with barriers to employment, and requires Labor to award related grants to certain eligible entities (e.g., community-based organizations, pre-apprenticeship sponsors, and employers for an in-demand industry or occupation).
Specifically, the bill

To expand opportunities for pre-apprenticeship programs.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Expanding Opportunity 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
                    (B) prepare such individuals to enter and succeed 
                in such an apprenticeship program, including 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 advisory 
        partnership with an industry or sector partnership 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 opportunities for individuals 
        with barriers to employment and create a diverse talent 
        pipeline, such that, upon completion of a pre-apprenticeship 
        program, they will meet the entry requirements for success in 
        such programs;
            (5) has plans in place, either directly or through 
        partnerships, to provide supportive services to pre-
        apprentices, to support the recruitment, retention, 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 apprenticeship program, with proper supervision 
        and safety protocols; and
            (7) provides a certificate of completion by the State 
        apprenticeship agency, awarded to each individual 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 instruction provider 
        collaborate to provide training that will introduce 
        participants to the skills, competencies, 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 occupations and the requirements of 
        the related apprenticeship program;
            (3) ensures all individuals have an equal opportunity 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 substantive interactions between pre-
        apprentice and classroom instructor;
            (5) provides training and professional development for 
        instructors and staff to use technology and services, including 
        for remote instruction;
            (6) to the extent appropriate and practicable includes 
        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 exposure, 
        career planning, and career awareness.

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 performance in section 
        116(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Workforce 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 apprenticeships 
        programs.
    (b) Research and Plan for Expansion of Participation of Certain 
Populations.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary 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 registered pre-apprenticeship 
programs by nontraditional populations or individuals with barriers to 
employment such as youth, women, people of color, long-term unemployed, 
individuals with disabilities, individuals with substance 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 section, 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 section, 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 necessary.
    (d) Limitation on Use of Funds.--No less than 5 percent of the 
funds awarded under this section shall be used to provide direct 
financial assistance to pre-apprentices to support financial needs to 
enter, remain enrolled in, and complete the apprenticeship program 
including, related costs of training, supplies, food and nutrition, 
housing, transportation, child care, mental health and substance abuse 
services, or other targeted costs deemed allowable 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 sector or 
        occupation;
            (4) a joint labor-management training program; or
            (5) a partnership among community-based organizations, 
        public education entities, and apprenticeships.
    (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-apprentices to 
        help navigate supportive services and other Federal assistance 
        programs (such as the supplemental nutrition assistance program 
        under the 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 nontraditional 
        apprenticeship population.
            (3) To participate in pre-apprenticeship programs.
            (4) To facilitate a successful transition between pre-
        apprenticeship programs and apprenticeship programs.

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 
        Apprenticeship 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 requirement, standard, or 
        rule was in effect on December 30, 2019.
            (2) Nontraditional apprenticeship population.--The term 
        ``nontraditional apprenticeship population'' means a group of 
        individuals (such as a group of individuals from the same 
        gender or race) the members of which comprise fewer than 25 
        percent 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 employment'', ``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).
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