Title: EARNS Act
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
Effective Apprenticeships to Rebuild National Skills Act or the EARNS Act
This bill (1) establishes in the Department of Labor an Office of Apprenticeship and a National Advisory Committee on Apprenticeships, (2) provides for federal recognition of state apprenticeship agencies, (3) establishes a process and standards for the national apprenticeship system, (4) directs Labor to provide for evaluations of programs and activities and research on best practices in covered apprenticeship programs, and (5) sets up a grant program to modernize and expand apprenticeship programs.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3802 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 3802

     To promote effective registered apprenticeships, for skills, 
          credentials, and employment, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           December 20, 2018

  Mrs. Murray (for herself, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Scott, and Ms. 
   Baldwin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
  referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 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 Representatives 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 ``Effective 
Apprenticeships to Rebuild National Skills Act'' or the ``EARNS Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings and purposes.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
               TITLE I--PROMOTING COVERED APPRENTICESHIPS

Subtitle A--The Office of Apprenticeship and State Registration Agency 
                            Approval Process

Sec. 111. The Office of Apprenticeship.
Sec. 112. Promoting awareness of covered apprenticeship programs.
Sec. 113. National Advisory Committee on Apprenticeships.
Sec. 114. Recognition of State apprenticeship agencies.
   Subtitle B--Process and Standards for the National Apprenticeship 
                                 System

                           Chapter 1--Process

Sec. 121. Registration of programs as apprenticeship programs.
Sec. 122. Apprentice process.
Sec. 123. Modifications or changes to apprenticeship programs.
          Chapter 2--Required Apprenticeship Program Standards

Sec. 125. Required standards.
Sec. 126. Apprenticeable occupations standards.
Sec. 127. Quality standards of an apprenticeship program.
Sec. 128. Apprenticeship agreement standards.
                  Subtitle C--Evaluations and Research

Sec. 131. Evaluations.
Sec. 132. Research.
                     Subtitle D--General Provisions

Sec. 141. Authorization of appropriations.
      TITLE II--APPRENTICESHIP MODERNIZATION AND EXPANSION GRANTS

Sec. 201. Grants.
                     TITLE III--GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 301. Rule of construction.
Sec. 302. Effective date.

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 registered apprenticeship model is a longstanding, 
        on-the-job training and education model that prepares workers 
        for the skill demands of particular occupations and employers 
        while, at the same time, providing the workers with recognized, 
        portable credentials, 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 increasingly 
        innovative and diverse in their designs, partnerships, 
        timeframes, and use of emerging concepts such as competency-
        based learning, and will continue to evolve to meet emerging 
        skill requirements, while maintaining high standards and 
        quality.
            (5) Registered apprenticeship programs are an essential 
        element of an effective workforce development system and help 
        individuals attain a recognized postsecondary credential, 
        contributing to their personal 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 apprenticeship programs 
        in 10 States by Mathematica Policy Research found that--
                    (A) individuals who completed registered 
                apprenticeship programs earned over $240,000 more over 
                their careers than individuals not participating in 
                such apprenticeship programs;
                    (B) the estimated social benefits of registered 
                apprenticeship programs, including additional 
                productivity of apprentices and the reduction in 
                governmental expenditures as a result of reduced use of 
                unemployment compensation and public assistance, 
                exceeded the costs of the programs by more than $49,000 
                per program; and
                    (C) the tax return on every Federal Government 
                dollar invested in registered apprenticeship 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-demand 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 effective earn-and-learn 
        model for students, workers, and employers;
            (4) to support the development and expansion of registered 
        apprenticeship programs with employers, joint labor-management 
        organizations, trade and professional associations, and other 
        sponsors, that offer jobs that lead to economic self-
        sufficiency;
            (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 registered 
        apprenticeship programs, the workforce development systems, 
        career and technical education providers, and postsecondary 
        educational institutions, including institutions of higher 
        education;
            (7) to support innovative models of effective work-based 
        learning; and
            (8) to increase opportunities for individuals from all 
        backgrounds and regions of the United States to participate in 
        registered apprenticeships as part of a career pathway.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the Office of Apprenticeship referred to in 
        section 111(b), or any person specifically designated by the 
        Administrator to carry out the provision involved.
            (2) Apprentice.--The term ``apprentice'' means a worker 
        who--
                    (A) is not younger than age 16, or (where a higher 
                minimum age standard is specified by law) not younger 
                than that age; and
                    (B) is employed through an apprenticeship program 
                that meets the required standards for an apprenticeship 
                program as described in section 125.
            (3) Apprenticeship agreement.--The term ``apprenticeship 
        agreement'' means a written agreement--
                    (A) that is between--
                            (i) an apprentice; and
                            (ii) the apprentice's apprenticeship 
                        program sponsor; and
                    (B) meets the requirements of section 128.
            (4) Apprenticeship laws.--The term ``apprenticeship laws'' 
        means--
                    (A) this Act; and
                    (B) 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) Apprenticeship program.--The term ``apprenticeship 
        program'' means a training program that--
                    (A) is 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.), and 
                this Act; and
                    (B) meets the standards of title I, including 
                culminating in a certificate of completion from the 
                registration agency and a recognized postsecondary 
                credential.
            (6) Area career and technical education school.--The term 
        ``area career and technical education school'' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and 
        Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
            (7) 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).
            (8) Competency.--The term ``competency'' means the 
        attainment of skills and knowledge in a manual, mechanical, or 
        technical area, as specified by an occupational standard and 
        demonstrated by an appropriate written and hands-on proficiency 
        measurement.
            (9) Covered apprentice.--The term ``covered apprentice'' 
        means a participant in a covered apprenticeship program.
            (10) Covered apprenticeship program.--The term ``covered 
        apprenticeship program'' means an apprenticeship program, a 
        pre-apprenticeship program, or a youth apprenticeship program.
            (11) Credit transfer agreement.--The term ``credit transfer 
        agreement'' means such an agreement within the meaning of 
        section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education 
        Act of 2006.
            (12) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
        Department of Labor.
            (13) Dual or concurrent enrollment program.--The term 
        ``dual or concurrent enrollment program'' has the meaning given 
        the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
            (14) Education provider.--The term ``education provider'' 
        means--
                    (A) an area career and technical education school;
                    (B) an early college high school, which has the 
                meaning given the term in section 8101 of the 
                Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 7801);
                    (C) an educational service agency (including a 
                collaborative of those agencies);
                    (D) a high school;
                    (E) a local educational agency or State educational 
                agency;
                    (F) an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal 
                educational agency;
                    (G) a postsecondary educational institution;
                    (H) a minority-serving institution (as described in 
                any of paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 371(a) of 
                the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a))); 
                or
                    (I) a consortium of entities described in any of 
                subparagraphs (A) through (H).
            (15) Educational service agency.--The term ``educational 
        service agency''--
                    (A) means such an agency, as defined in section 
                8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
                1965; and
                    (B) includes a collaborative of those agencies.
            (16) High school.--The term ``high school'' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965.
            (17) In-demand industry sector or occupation.--The term 
        ``in-demand industry sector or occupation'' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and 
        Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
            (18) Indian tribe; tribal organization.--The terms ``Indian 
        tribe'' and ``tribal organization'' have the meaning given the 
        terms in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
        Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
            (19) Individual with a barrier to employment.--The term 
        ``individual with a barrier to employment'' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and 
        Opportunity Act.
            (20) Industry or sector partnership.--The term ``industry 
        or sector partnership'' has the meaning given the term in 
        section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
            (21) Local area.--The term ``local area'' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and 
        Opportunity Act.
            (22) Local and state educational agencies.--The terms 
        ``local educational agency'' and ``State educational agency'' 
        have the meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
            (23) Local and state workforce development boards.--The 
        terms ``local workforce development 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.
            (24) National apprenticeship system.--The term ``national 
        apprenticeship system'' means the collective group of 
        apprenticeship programs, youth apprenticeship programs and pre-
        apprenticeship programs in the Nation (including the rules and 
        regulations governing the 3 types of programs).
            (25) Postsecondary educational institution.--The term 
        ``postsecondary educational institution'' means--
                    (A) an institution of higher education, as defined 
                in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 1001); and
                    (B) a postsecondary vocational institution, as 
                defined in section 102(c) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 
                1002(c)).
            (26) Pre-apprentice.--The term ``pre-apprentice'' means a 
        participant in a pre-apprenticeship program.
            (27) Pre-apprenticeship program.--The term ``pre-
        apprenticeship program'' means a training model or program, or 
        training according to a set of strategies, that--
                    (A) is designed to assist individuals who do not 
                meet the minimum qualifications for selection into an 
                apprenticeship program, established in a sponsor's 
                apprenticeship standards in accordance with section 
                127(6), to meet the qualifications;
                    (B) is carried out by an entity that maintains a 
                documented partnership with at least one sponsor of an 
                apprenticeship program;
                    (C) is a form of structured workplace education and 
                training in which an employer, industry or sector 
                partnership, industry association, labor organization, 
                community-based organization, and education provider 
                collaborate to provide formal instruction that will 
                introduce participants to the skills, competencies, and 
                materials used in one or more apprenticeable 
                occupations;
                    (D) is designed to prepare individuals to enter and 
                succeed in an apprenticeship program;
                    (E) is carried out in a manner that includes proper 
                observation of supervision and safety protocols, 
                including paid, on-the-job learning under the 
                supervision of skilled employee mentors;
                    (F) is carried out in a manner that does not 
                displace a paid employee; and
                    (G) includes each of the following elements:
                            (i) Training and a curriculum that--
                                    (I) are based on and aligned with 
                                national, State, or local industry 
                                standards, with the quality of the 
                                training leading to such a standard 
                                reviewed by a recipient of Federal 
                                funds;
                                    (II) are reviewed and approved 
                                annually by the sponsors of 
                                apprenticeships within the documented 
                                partnership;
                                    (III) will prepare individuals, 
                                with the skills and competencies needed 
                                to enter one or more apprenticeship 
                                programs;
                                    (IV) are aligned with career 
                                pathways;
                                    (V) include employability skills 
                                training, such as training through 
                                career and industry awareness 
                                workshops, training through job 
                                readiness courses, training for English 
                                Language Learners, adult basic 
                                education, or financial literacy, or 
                                math tutoring, as appropriate;
                                    (VI) culminate in a recognized 
                                postsecondary credential, with the 
                                quality of the training leading to that 
                                credential reviewed by a recipient of 
                                Federal funds; and
                                    (VII) accurately simulates the 
                                industry and occupational conditions of 
                                the apprenticeship program described in 
                                subparagraph (D).
                            (ii) Strong recruitment strategies focused 
                        on outreach to populations underrepresented at 
                        the State and local levels in apprenticeship 
                        programs, including individuals with barriers 
                        to employment.
                            (iii) Exposure of participants in such 
                        underrepresented populations to apprenticeship 
                        programs and provision of direct assistance to 
                        participants in such populations in applying to 
                        those programs.
                            (iv) Access to appropriate supportive 
                        services, as defined in section 3 of the 
                        Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, 
                        financial planning, and mentoring, and 
                        provision of first-day-of-work necessities.
                            (v) Efforts to collaboratively promote the 
                        use of apprenticeship programs as a preferred 
                        means for employers to develop a skilled 
                        workforce and to create career opportunities 
                        for individuals.
                            (vi) Facilitated entry or articulation 
                        agreements that enable individuals who 
                        successfully complete the program described in 
                        this paragraph--
                                    (I) to enter directly into an 
                                apprenticeship program; or
                                    (II) to earn advanced placement or 
                                credit at a postsecondary educational 
                                institution for skills and competencies 
                                acquired during the program described 
                                in this paragraph.
                            (vii) A formal agreement with a sponsor of 
                        the apprenticeship program described in 
                        subparagraph (D) that would enable participants 
                        who successfully complete the program described 
                        in this paragraph to enter directly into the 
                        apprenticeship program (if a place in the 
                        program is available and other necessary 
                        requirements for acceptance are satisfied), and 
                        an agreement enabling participants to earn 
                        advanced placement or credit at a postsecondary 
                        educational institution for skills and 
                        competencies acquired during the program 
                        described in this paragraph, including basic 
                        academic and technical skills and competencies 
                        aligned with the apprenticeable occupation.
            (28) Program administrator.--The term ``program 
        administrator'' means the administrator of a pre-apprenticeship 
        program or youth apprenticeship program, as the case may be.
            (29) Qualified intermediary.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``qualified 
                intermediary'' means an entity, which may be part of an 
                industry or sector partnership, that demonstrates 
                expertise in building, connecting, sustaining, and 
                measuring the performance of partnerships described in 
                subparagraph (B) in order for the entity to broker 
                services, resources, and supports for development, 
                delivery, expansion, or improvement of covered 
                apprenticeship programs, and of the organizations and 
                systems that are designed to serve covered apprentices 
                and employer partners, including--
                            (i) connecting employers to apprenticeship 
                        opportunities;
                            (ii) assisting in the design and 
                        implementation of covered apprenticeship 
                        programs, including curriculum development and 
                        delivery for related instruction;
                            (iii) supporting entities, and sponsors or 
                        program administrators, in meeting the 
                        registration and reporting requirements;
                            (iv) providing professional development 
                        activities such as training to mentors;
                            (v) connecting students or workers to 
                        apprenticeship opportunities; and
                            (vi) developing and providing personalized 
                        covered apprentice supports, including 
                        supportive services and financial advising.
                    (B) Partnerships.--The partnerships described in 
                this subparagraph are comprised of entities such as 
                employers, community-based organizations, education 
                providers, social service organizations, economic 
                development organizations, Indian tribes or tribal 
                organizations, and one-stop operators and one-stop 
                partners in the State workforce development systems 
                involved.
            (30) Recognized postsecondary credential.--The term 
        ``recognized postsecondary credential'' means a credential 
        consisting of an industry-recognized certificate or 
        certification, a license recognized by the State involved or 
        Federal Government, or an associate or baccalaureate degree.
            (31) Registration agency.--The term ``registration agency'' 
        means--
                    (A) the Office of Apprenticeship; or
                    (B) a State apprenticeship agency.
            (32) Related instruction.--The term ``related instruction'' 
        means an organized and systematic form of instruction that--
                    (A) is designed to provide a covered apprentice 
                with the knowledge of the theoretical and technical 
                subjects related to the apprentice's occupation; and
                    (B) may be given--
                            (i) in a classroom, through occupational or 
                        industrial courses, through correspondence 
                        courses of equivalent value, or through 
                        electronic media; or
                            (ii) through other forms of self-study 
                        approved by the registration agency involved.
            (33) Secretary.--Except as otherwise modified, the term 
        ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Labor, acting through the 
        Administrator.
            (34) Sponsor.--The term ``sponsor'' means an employer, 
        joint labor-management organization, trade association, 
        professional association, labor organization, education 
        provider, qualified intermediary, or other entity that 
        administers and operates, or is applying to administer and 
        operate, an apprenticeship program.
            (35) State.--The term ``State'' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity 
        Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
            (36) State apprenticeship agency.--The term ``State 
        apprenticeship agency'' means a State apprenticeship agency 
        recognized by the Secretary under section 114.
            (37) Workforce development system.--The term ``workforce 
        development system'' has the meaning given the term in section 
        3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
            (38) Youth apprentice.--The term ``youth apprentice'' means 
        a participant in a youth apprenticeship program.
            (39)  Youth apprenticeship program.--The term ``youth 
        apprenticeship program'' means a structured program that--
                    (A) is designed for youth apprentices who at the 
                start of the program are eligible to be enrolled in 
                high school; and
                    (B) incorporates each of the following core 
                elements:
                            (i) Paid, on-the-job learning under the 
                        supervision of skilled employee mentors.
                            (ii) Related classroom-based instruction 
                        aligned with career pathways.
                            (iii) Ongoing assessment against 
                        established skill and competency standards.
                            (iv) Culmination in a recognized 
                        postsecondary credential, with the quality of 
                        the training leading to that credential 
                        reviewed by a recipient of Federal funds.
                            (v) Leads to placement in further 
                        education, employment, or an apprenticeship 
                        program.

               TITLE I--PROMOTING COVERED APPRENTICESHIPS

Subtitle A--The Office of Apprenticeship and State Registration Agency 
                            Approval Process

SEC. 111. THE OFFICE OF APPRENTICESHIP.

    (a) Establishment of the Office of Apprenticeship.--There is 
established, in the Employment and Training Administration of the 
Department of Labor, an Office of Apprenticeship (referred to in this 
section as the ``Office'').
    (b) Administrator.--The Office shall be headed by an Administrator 
who has the demonstrated knowledge of apprenticeship programs necessary 
to serve as the Administrator.
    (c) Responsibilities.--The Administrator and the Office shall be 
responsible for all of the following:
            (1) Determining whether a program meets the requirements to 
        be approved and registered as an apprenticeship program, in 
        accordance with the apprenticeship laws.
            (2) Ensuring that each registration agency maintains the 
        standards necessary to be an apprenticeship program through the 
        agency's registration process and, for each apprenticeship 
        program--
                    (A) has provided the program with a certificate of 
                registration under section 121(c)(2)(B);
                    (B) reviews the program for quality and compliance 
                with the requirements of the applicable apprenticeship 
                laws, as required under sections 121 and 131; and
                    (C) reviews proposed modifications or changes to 
                the apprenticeship program in accordance with the 
                requirements of section 123.
            (3) Recognizing State entities as State apprenticeship 
        agencies under section 114.
            (4) Managing the national apprenticeship system, in 
        cooperation with and through support to State apprenticeship 
        agencies, including by curating and sharing, through an 
        apprenticeship clearinghouse, high-quality apprenticeship 
        program materials, such as related instruction or training 
        materials.
            (5) Carrying out activities to promote effective pre-
        apprenticeship programs and youth apprenticeship programs.
            (6) Promoting awareness about apprenticeship programs, 
        including carrying out activities under section 112.
            (7) Engaging in regular updates of the apprenticeship 
        program registration process and ensuring that such process is 
        easily accessible and efficient for use by sponsors and 
        administrators of apprenticeship programs and proposed 
        apprenticeship programs.
            (8) Regularly engaging with the National Advisory Committee 
        on Apprenticeships established under section 113 and ensure 
        that the required recommendations and other reports of the 
        Committee are submitted to the Secretary and transmitted to 
        Congress.
            (9) Promoting greater diversity in covered apprenticeship 
        programs, including pre-apprenticeship programs and youth 
        apprenticeship programs, including by--
                    (A) promoting outreach to nontraditional 
                apprenticeship populations, including women, 
                minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, 
                and individuals with barriers to employment; and
                    (B) supporting the development or scaling of 
                apprenticeship models.
            (10) Providing for evaluations and research, as described 
        in subtitle C.
            (11) Providing support for apprenticeship data collection 
        and dissemination, including--
                    (A) establishing and supporting the information 
                technology infrastructure needed to make non-personally 
                identifiable apprenticeship data open and searchable so 
                that interested parties can become aware of 
                apprenticeship opportunities and of program outcomes, 
                including--
                            (i) information on high schools and 2-year 
                        and 4-year postsecondary educational 
                        institutions providing apprenticeship program 
                        opportunities; and
                            (ii) information on dual or concurrent 
                        enrollment programs and articulation agreements 
                        (as such terms are defined in section 3 of the 
                        Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education 
                        Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302)) that are part of 
                        covered apprenticeship programs; and
                    (B) improving data collection and data sharing by 
                and among covered apprenticeship programs.
            (12) Providing technical assistance to--
                    (A) sponsors;
                    (B) qualified intermediaries;
                    (C) entities who are interested in developing and 
                becoming sponsors; and
                    (D) eligible entities carrying out youth 
                apprenticeship programs and pre-apprenticeship 
                programs.
            (13) Coordinating and aligning apprenticeship programs with 
        other Federal education and training programs, including such 
        programs authorized under the Workforce Innovation and 
        Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), the Carl D. Perkins 
        Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et 
        seq.), the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), and the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001 et seq.).
            (14) Awarding grants to carry out the activities described 
        in title II.
            (15) In coordination with the Secretary of Education, the 
        Assistant Secretaries of the Office of Career, Technical, and 
        Adult Education, the Office of Postsecondary Education, and the 
        Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, promoting and 
        supporting integration and alignment among secondary, 
        postsecondary, and adult education and apprenticeship programs, 
        by--
                    (A) curating best practices and strategies 
                regarding how to--
                            (i) embed apprenticeship skills and 
                        competencies into curriculum and credential 
                        requirements;
                            (ii) align related instruction with 
                        academic credit-granting curricula or 
                        translating skills and competencies to pathways 
                        to secondary and postsecondary credit through 
                        prior learning assessments and competency-based 
                        education;
                            (iii) facilitate enrollment of individuals 
                        who have completed apprenticeships, including 
                        pre-apprenticeships and youth apprenticeships, 
                        into further education, including an associate, 
                        baccalaureate, or advanced degree;
                            (iv) provide technical assistance for 
                        aligning financial aid with apprenticeship 
                        programs;
                            (v) support data collection systems that 
                        align education and apprenticeship program 
                        records, including information on apprentices 
                        who enrolled in, or completed, for-credit 
                        postsecondary coursework;
                            (vi) provide related instruction that leads 
                        to educational certificates or degrees; and
                            (vii) align apprenticeship programs with 
                        the Federal work study program under part C of 
                        title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
                        (20 U.S.C. 1087-51 et seq.); and
                    (B) disseminating the best practices and strategies 
                described in subparagraph (A).
            (16) Other responsibilities relating to apprenticeship, as 
        determined appropriate by the Secretary of Labor.
    (d) Functions.--The functions of the Office on and after the 
effective date of this Act shall include the functions of the Office on 
the day before the effective date of this Act, including all of its 
personnel, assets, authorities, and liabilities, except as otherwise 
specified in this section.

SEC. 112. PROMOTING AWARENESS OF COVERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--In order to promote awareness about covered 
apprenticeship programs, the Secretary, in coordination with the 
Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Commerce, and State 
apprenticeship agencies, shall ensure that timely, current information 
about the value of covered apprenticeship programs in the labor market 
is made available, through a range of widely accessible formats and 
venues and in accordance with subsections (b) through (e).
    (b) Information for State and Local Workforce Development Boards.--
            (1) In general.--In order to promote awareness about 
        covered apprenticeship programs within workforce development 
        systems, the Secretary shall disseminate information on the 
        value of covered apprenticeship programs to State workforce 
        development boards and local workforce development boards.
            (2) Content.--The information disseminated under paragraph 
        (1) shall include--
                    (A) a list of apprenticeship programs in the 
                State's in-demand industry sectors or occupations that 
                are offered in the State or by the Office of 
                Apprenticeship;
                    (B) guidance for training staff of the workforce 
                development system within the State on the value of 
                apprenticeship programs as a training option for 
                participants, including relevant placement, retention, 
                and earnings information;
                    (C) guidance on how individual training accounts 
                under section 134(c)(3) of the Workforce Innovation and 
                Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(3)) could be used to 
                pay for the costs of enrolling in an apprenticeship 
                program;
                    (D) guidance on how performance accountability 
                measures under section 116 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 3141) 
                apply to participants in apprenticeship programs, 
                including relevant placement, retention, and earnings 
                information;
                    (E) guidance on how to provide youth 
                apprenticeships to individuals under the age of 18;
                    (F) guidance on how to provide pre-apprenticeship 
                opportunities to individuals who are employed and 
                looking to change careers, underemployed, out of work, 
                or underskilled; and
                    (G) guidance on how to align eligible funding from, 
                and the requirements of, the Workforce Innovation and 
                Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), the Carl D. 
                Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 
                U.S.C. 2301 et seq.), the Elementary and Secondary 
                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), and the 
                Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) 
                with the apprenticeship laws.
    (c) Information for Employers, Trade Associations, Professional 
Associations, Industry Groups, and Labor Organizations.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, in coordination with the 
        Secretary of Commerce, shall provide information about the 
        value of covered apprenticeship 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, professional associations, 
        industry groups, and labor organizations.
            (2) Content.--The information provided under paragraph (1) 
        shall include, at a minimum--
                    (A) a list of apprenticeship programs in related 
                occupations offered in the State or by the Office of 
                Apprenticeship;
                    (B) information on how to develop an apprenticeship 
                program;
                    (C) information on financial resources available to 
                assist with the establishment and implementation of 
                apprenticeship programs; and
                    (D) information on related qualified intermediaries 
                or industry or sector partnerships supporting 
                apprenticeships, as applicable.
    (d) Information for Education Providers.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, in coordination with the 
        Secretary of Education, shall disseminate information on the 
        value of covered apprenticeship programs, including relevant 
        placement, retention, and earnings information, local labor 
        market data, and sector forecasts to determine in-demand 
        careers, to local educational agencies and postsecondary 
        education providers.
            (2) Content.--The information provided under paragraph (1) 
        shall, at a minimum--
                    (A) provide parents and students with a better 
                understanding of covered apprenticeship programs and 
                their value in secondary or postsecondary education and 
                career pathways;
                    (B) provide school administrators (working with 
                academic counselors, teachers, and faculty) and 
                workforce and economic development coordinators 
                information about the value of apprenticeship programs 
                and information to assist in the development, 
                implementation, and continuation of registered 
                apprenticeship programs; and
                    (C) enable potential program participants looking 
                to change careers to obtain information about pre-
                apprenticeship programs and apprenticeship programs.
    (e) Information for Qualified Intermediaries.--
            (1) In general.--To promote awareness about covered 
        apprenticeship programs among qualified intermediaries, the 
        Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Education, 
        shall disseminate information on the value of covered 
        apprenticeship programs, including relevant placement, 
        retention, and earnings information, local labor market data, 
        and sector forecasts to determine in-demand careers, to 
        qualified intermediaries serving as sponsors or apprenticeship 
        partners.
            (2) Contents.--The information provided under paragraph (1) 
        shall be information that enables qualified intermediaries to 
        support, at a minimum--
                    (A) potential apprentices to understand 
                apprenticeship programs and their value in 
                postsecondary education and career pathways;
                    (B) employers to understand apprenticeship programs 
                and their value in workforce training;
                    (C) career and academic counselors to understand 
                apprenticeship programs as a valuable postsecondary 
                education option for students leading to job placement 
                in in-demand industries and occupations; and
                    (D) school administrators, workforce and economic 
                development coordinators, and teachers and faculty to 
                assist with the development, implementation, and 
                continuation of apprenticeship programs.

SEC. 113. NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON APPRENTICESHIPS.

    (a) Establishment.--
            (1) 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'').
            (2) Composition.--The Advisory Committee shall consist of--
                    (A) 20 voting members appointed by the Secretary, 
                comprised of--
                            (i) 10 representatives of employers who 
                        participate in an apprenticeship program, 
                        including representatives of employers 
                        representing nontraditional apprenticeship 
                        sectors such as information technology, 
                        finance, insurance, healthcare, or other in-
                        demand industry sectors or occupations;
                            (ii) 6 representatives of labor 
                        organizations who have responsibility for the 
                        administration of an apprenticeship program 
                        sponsored by a joint labor-management 
                        organization; and
                            (iii) 4 representatives from State 
                        apprenticeship agencies or Governors, community 
                        organizations with significant experience with 
                        an apprenticeship program, area career and 
                        technical schools, local educational agencies, 
                        or postsecondary education providers with at 
                        least 1 articulation agreement with an entity 
                        administering a covered apprenticeship program; 
                        and
                    (B) ex officio nonvoting members, selected by the 
                applicable Secretary, from each of--
                            (i) the Department of Labor;
                            (ii) the Department of Commerce;
                            (iii) the Department of Education;
                            (iv) the Department of Energy;
                            (v) the Department of Housing and Urban 
                        Development;
                            (vi) the Department of Transportation;
                            (vii) the Department of Veterans Affairs; 
                        and
                            (viii) the Department of Health and Human 
                        Services.
            (3) Qualifications.--The members described in paragraph (2) 
        shall be selected upon the basis of their experience, 
        competence, innovation, and demonstrated performance regarding 
        apprenticeship programs.
            (4) Terms.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary shall appoint each 
                voting member of the Advisory Committee for a 4-year 
                term.
                    (B) Date.--The appointments of the initial members 
                of the Commission shall be made not later than 90 days 
                after the effective date of this Act.
                    (C) Multiple terms.--A voting member of the 
                Advisory Committee may serve 2 full terms on the 
                Advisory Committee.
                    (D) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Commission--
                            (i) shall not affect the powers of the 
                        Commission; and
                            (ii) shall be filled in the same manner as 
                        the original appointment by not later than 90 
                        days after the date of the vacancy.
    (b) Chairperson.--The Secretary shall designate one of the voting 
members described in subsection (a)(2)(A) of the Advisory Committee to 
serve as Chairperson of the Advisory Committee.
    (c) Meetings.--
            (1) In general.--The Advisory Committee shall meet at the 
        call of the chairperson and hold not fewer than 2 meetings 
        during each calendar year.
            (2) Open access.--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 inspection.
    (d) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall, at a minimum--
            (1) advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the 
        Secretary on matters relating to the administration of the 
        apprenticeship laws;
            (2) annually prepare a set of recommendations to the 
        Secretary to streamline the registration process, in order to 
        make the process easily accessible and efficient for use by 
        sponsors while maintaining the standards under chapter 2 of 
        subtitle B; and
            (3) every 2 years, provide to the Secretary and disseminate 
        to the public a collection of best practices for engaging youth 
        and underemployed individuals in covered apprenticeship 
        programs.
    (e) Personnel.--
            (1) Compensation of members.--
                    (A) In general.--A member of the Commission who is 
                not an officer or employee of the Federal Government 
                shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily 
                equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed 
                for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 
                5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day 
                (including travel time) during which the member is 
                engaged in the performance of the duties of the 
                Commission.
                    (B) Officers or employees of the united states.--
                All members of the Advisory Committee who are officers 
                or employees of the United States shall serve without 
                compensation in addition to that received for their 
                services as officers or employees of the United States.
            (2) 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 necessary 
        to enable the Advisory Committee to conduct its business.
    (f) Permanent Committee.--Section 14 of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Advisory 
Committee.

SEC. 114. RECOGNITION OF STATE APPRENTICESHIP AGENCIES.

    (a) Recognition of State Apprenticeship Agencies.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall exercise the authority 
        provided under the apprenticeship laws to recognize 
        apprenticeship programs by authorizing State agencies that meet 
        the requirements of this section as State apprenticeship 
        agencies.
            (2) Duration.--The Secretary shall recognize a State agency 
        that complies with the requirements of this section as a State 
        apprenticeship agency for a 5-year period, subject to 
        subsections (e) and (g).
    (b) Authority of a State Apprenticeship Agency.--
            (1) In general.--Each State apprenticeship agency 
        authorized under subsection (a) shall have full authority, for 
        the period of such authorization--
                    (A) to determine whether a program in the State 
                complies with the standards of an apprenticeship 
                program, as established under the apprenticeship laws 
                and published by the Secretary; and
                    (B) to recognize a program that does comply to such 
                standards as an apprenticeship program, for purposes of 
                the apprenticeship laws.
            (2) Office of apprenticeship role.--In the event that a 
        State does not apply for recognition under this section, the 
        Secretary does not recognize a State agency as provided in this 
        section, or the Secretary withdraws recognition of a State 
        apprenticeship agency under subsection (g), the Office of 
        Apprenticeship shall be the registration agency for all 
        programs in the State and shall have the authority under 
        paragraph (1) with respect to programs in such State.
            (3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall 
        be construed to prevent the Office of Apprenticeship from 
        serving as a registration agency for a program in a State that 
        has a State apprenticeship agency in other circumstances, as 
        determined appropriate by the Secretary.
    (c) Agency Components.--
            (1) Requirements.--In order for an agency of a State to be 
        recognized as a State apprenticeship agency under this section, 
        the agency shall--
                    (A) represent a State that has a State 
                apprenticeship law, which may be established through 
                statute, Executive order, regulation, or other means, 
                and implement the State law in accordance with the 
                requirements of the apprenticeship laws;
                    (B) submit a State plan for equal employment 
                opportunity in apprenticeship;
                    (C) have sufficient resources and capacity to carry 
                out the functions of a State apprenticeship agency 
                under the apprenticeship laws and to maintain the 
                quality standards of an apprenticeship program under 
                section 127, including providing technical assistance 
                and outreach activities to apprenticeship programs 
                registered by the agency;
                    (D) prescribe the contents of apprenticeship 
                agreements for sponsors in the State in accordance with 
                section 128;
                    (E) ensure that the registration of apprenticeship 
                programs occurs only--
                            (i) in apprenticeable occupations, as 
                        described in section 126, including occupations 
                        in high-growth and high-demand industries;
                            (ii) for programs that meet the quality 
                        standards as described in section 127; and
                            (iii) in the case of a program by a sponsor 
                        that employs employees who are represented by a 
                        labor organization, when such sponsor has 
                        obtained the consent of such labor organization 
                        for the proposed program;
                    (F) accord reciprocal registration or recognition 
                for purposes of the apprenticeship laws to apprentices, 
                and apprenticeship programs, that are registered or 
                recognized in other States by a registration agency and 
                meet the standards of the apprenticeship laws, if--
                            (i) such reciprocity is requested by the 
                        sponsor; and
                            (ii) the apprenticeship program meets the 
                        wage and hour provisions and apprentice ratio 
                        standards of the State awarding reciprocal 
                        registration or recognition;
                    (G) provide for the deregistration of 
                apprenticeship programs, and for temporary suspension 
                or deregistration of apprenticeship agreements;
                    (H) submit apprenticeship performance reports as 
                required under section 131(b)(2); and
                    (I) comply with--
                            (i) any review conducted by the Office of 
                        Apprenticeship, including any review conducted 
                        under section 131; and
                            (ii) any determination by the Secretary 
                        regarding whether, based on reviews described 
                        in clause (i), the State apprenticeship agency 
                        is compliance with the requirements of the 
                        apprenticeship laws.
            (2) Optional council.--
                    (A) In general.--A State apprenticeship agency may 
                elect to establish or continue the establishment of, 
                and use, a State apprenticeship council if the State 
                apprenticeship council operates, or will operate, under 
                the direction of the State apprenticeship agency.
                    (B) Special rule.--A State apprenticeship council 
                shall not be eligible for recognition as a State 
                apprenticeship agency.
    (d) Application.--A State desiring to have an agency recognized as 
a State apprenticeship agency under this section shall submit an 
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
information as the Secretary may require, including--
            (1) a description of how the State meets the requirements 
        of subsection (c);
            (2) a description of the basic standards, criteria, and 
        requirements for apprenticeship program registration or 
        approval;
            (3) a description of the linkages and coordination of the 
        State's proposed standards, criteria, and requirements with the 
        State's economic development strategies and workforce 
        development system;
            (4) a description of any laws (including regulations), 
        policies and operating procedures relating to the process of 
        recognizing apprenticeship programs that depart from, or impose 
        requirements in addition to, the policies and procedures 
        required under the apprenticeship laws; and
            (5) an assurance that the State, or the State agency, will 
        notify the Secretary if there are any changes to State laws 
        (including regulations), policies, or procedures as described 
        in paragraph (4) regarding apprenticeships that occur after the 
        date of application.
    (e) Review and Recognition.--
            (1) In general.--By not later than 90 days after the date 
        on which an application under subsection (d) is submitted, the 
        Secretary shall notify the State regarding whether the agency 
        of the State is approved and recognized as a State 
        apprenticeship agency.
            (2) Transition.--
                    (A) In general.--A State agency that, as of the day 
                before the effective date of this Act, was recognized 
                by the Secretary for purposes of registering 
                apprenticeship programs in accordance with the Act of 
                August 16, 1937 (50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 
                50 et seq.), shall submit an application and all 
                supporting documentation, as required under subsection 
                (d), by not later than 2 years after the effective 
                date.
                    (B) Transition period.--A State agency described in 
                subparagraph (A) shall be considered to be a State 
                apprenticeship agency, for purposes of the 
                apprenticeship laws, until the earlier of--
                            (i) the end of the period that begins on 
                        the effective date of this Act and ends 2 years 
                        after such date, or on the date of any 
                        extension provided under subparagraph (C); or
                            (ii) the date on which the Secretary 
                        approves or denies the State's application 
                        under subparagraph (A).
                    (C) Extension.--Upon written request by a State, 
                the Secretary may grant a State agency described in 
                subparagraph (A) an extension of time to comply with 
                the requirements of this section for good cause, except 
                that in no case may the Secretary extend the time for 
                submission of the application and supporting 
                documentation as required under such subparagraph.
    (f) Review and Technical Assistance Regarding State Laws.--The 
Secretary shall--
            (1) review any State law (including any regulation), 
        policy, or operational procedure regarding apprenticeships that 
        is identified by a State apprenticeship agency under paragraph 
        (4) or (5) of subsection (d); and
            (2) provide technical assistance, as necessary, to enable 
        the State apprenticeship agency to maintain compliance with the 
        apprenticeship laws.
    (g) Secretary Revocation of Designation.--The Secretary may revoke 
a designation as a State apprenticeship agency before the end of the 5-
year period under subsection (a)(2) if the Secretary determines, after 
notice and an opportunity for a hearing, that the State agency is not 
complying with a requirement of the apprenticeship laws.

   Subtitle B--Process and Standards for the National Apprenticeship 
                                 System

                           CHAPTER 1--PROCESS

SEC. 121. REGISTRATION OF PROGRAMS AS APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

    (a) Registration Agency Duties.--Each registration agency shall--
            (1) approve or deny applications from sponsors for 
        registration of apprenticeship programs in the State or area 
        covered by the registration agency; and
            (2) carry out the responsibilities of supporting the 
        apprenticeship programs registered by the registration agency, 
        as described in section 114(c)(1).
    (b) Apprenticeship Registration Request.--A sponsor of a program 
applying to be registered as an apprenticeship program shall request 
approval from an appropriate registration agency by submitting all 
information required by the registration agency, including--
            (1) a copy of the apprenticeship agreement to be used by 
        the sponsor and individual apprentices; and
            (2) a written assurance that, if the program is approved 
        and registered as an apprenticeship program, the sponsor will 
        administer and operate the apprenticeship program in accordance 
        with the apprenticeship laws and comply with the requirements 
        of the apprenticeship agreement for each apprentice.
    (c) Registration Process.--
            (1) Initial review.--Upon receiving a request under 
        subsection (b), the registration agency shall--
                    (A) determine if the program is in compliance with 
                the apprenticeship standards under chapter 2 and all 
                other applicable requirements under the apprenticeship 
                laws for an apprenticeship program; and
                    (B) if the program complies with such standards and 
                requirements, approve and register the program by--
                            (i) providing the sponsor of the 
                        apprenticeship program with a certificate of 
                        registration or other written evidence of 
                        registration; and
                            (ii) providing a copy of the certificate of 
                        registration, and any other information 
                        required by the Secretary, to the Secretary.
            (2) Transition process for previously approved programs.--
                    (A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
                            (i) Previously approved program.--The term 
                        ``previously approved program'' means an 
                        apprenticeship program that was registered 
                        under the Act of August 16, 1937 (50 Stat. 664, 
                        chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.), as of the 
                        day before the effective date of this Act.
                            (ii) Transition period.--The term 
                        ``transition period'' means the 3-year period 
                        beginning on the effective date of this Act.
                    (B) In general.--Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and 
                (2), a previously approved program that complies with 
                all applicable requirements under the terms of such 
                approval shall be treated as an apprenticeship program 
                for purposes of the apprenticeship laws until the end 
                of the transition period.
                    (C) Request for recognition.--
                            (i) In general.--By not later than the last 
                        day of the transition period, the sponsor of a 
                        previously approved program that wishes to 
                        continue to be an apprenticeship program shall 
                        submit a request to the applicable registration 
                        agency--
                                    (I) demonstrating that the 
                                previously approved program meets all 
                                requirements and standards of the 
                                apprenticeship laws; and
                                    (II) requesting to be recognized as 
                                an apprenticeship program in accordance 
                                with the apprenticeship laws.
                            (ii) 1-year extension.--Upon request by a 
                        previously approved program, the registration 
                        agency may extend a transition period for an 
                        apprenticeship program by 1 additional year, if 
                        the registration agency determines necessary 
                        given the applicable circumstances.
                    (D) Registration process.--A registration agency 
                receiving a request from the sponsor of a previously 
                approved program shall review the request and--
                            (i) if the previously approved program is 
                        of sufficient quality and meets the 
                        requirements and standards of the 
                        apprenticeship laws, shall approve and register 
                        the program under subsection (c)(1)(B); or
                            (ii) if the apprenticeship program does not 
                        comply to the requirements or standards of the 
                        apprenticeship laws, shall recommend the 
                        apprenticeship program for deregistration in 
                        accordance with procedures established by the 
                        Secretary.

SEC. 122. APPRENTICE PROCESS.

    (a) In General.--An individual seeking to be an apprentice shall 
apply through the sponsor of the applicable apprenticeship program.
    (b) Apprentice Registration.--A sponsor shall--
            (1) select individuals who meet the apprentice requirements 
        for an apprenticeship program to be apprentices, and enter into 
        a written individual apprenticeship agreement with each such 
        individual before the commencement of the apprenticeship; and
            (2) individually register each apprentice of an 
        apprenticeship program with the registration agency, by filing 
        a copy of the individual apprenticeship agreement with the 
        registration agency or as otherwise required by the 
        registration agency.
    (c) Acceptance and Recording by Registration Agency.--The 
registration agency receiving an individual apprenticeship agreement 
under subsection (b)(2) shall review the agreement and, if the 
agreement meets all applicable requirements, shall accept and record 
the agreement as evidence of the individual's participation as an 
apprentice in the apprenticeship program.

SEC. 123. MODIFICATIONS OR CHANGES TO APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--Any sponsor that wishes to modify or change an 
apprenticeship program or the program's method of meeting the 
apprenticeship standards required under chapter 2 shall submit the 
proposal for such change or modification to the registration agency for 
the apprenticeship program.
    (b) Determination.--A registration agency receiving a proposal 
under subsection (a) shall determine whether to approve the proposal 
and--
            (1) by not later than 90 days after receiving the proposal, 
        notify the sponsor of the decision; and
            (2)(A) if the proposal is approved, amend the record of the 
        apprenticeship program to reflect the modification or change, 
        and provide the sponsor with an acknowledgment of the amended 
        program, by not later than 90 days after the date of approval; 
        or
            (B) if the approval is not approved, notify the sponsor of 
        the reasons for the disapproval and provide the sponsor with 
        appropriate technical assistance.

          CHAPTER 2--REQUIRED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM STANDARDS

SEC. 125. REQUIRED STANDARDS.

    The required standards for a program to be an apprenticeship 
program and registered under the apprenticeship laws shall include the 
following:
            (1) The program shall prepare students for an 
        apprenticeable occupation, as described in section 126.
            (2) The program shall meet the quality standards for an 
        apprenticeship program required under section 127.
            (3) The sponsor of the program requesting approval and 
        registration shall use an apprenticeship agreement that meets 
        the requirements of section 128.

SEC. 126. APPRENTICEABLE OCCUPATIONS STANDARDS.

    An apprenticeable occupation under this section shall, at a 
minimum--
            (1) involve skills and competencies that are--
                    (A) required by and determined by a wide range of 
                applicable industries;
                    (B) customarily learned, or are enhanced, in a 
                practical way through a structured, systematic program 
                of on-the-job supervised learning; and
                    (C) clearly identified and commonly recognized 
                throughout an industry;
            (2) involve the progressive attainment of manual, 
        mechanical, or technical and technology skills, competencies 
        and knowledge, which--
                    (A) are in accordance with the industry standard 
                for the occupation; and
                    (B) in the case of a time-based apprenticeship 
                program or hybrid apprenticeship program described in 
                clause (i) or (iii) of section 127(2)(E), require the 
                completion of not less than 2,000 hours of on-the-job 
                learning to attain, unless an alternative requirement 
                is put forth by the employer and sponsor that reflects 
                industry standards and is accepted by the Secretary; 
                and
            (3) require related instruction to supplement the on-the-
        job learning of the occupation.

SEC. 127. QUALITY STANDARDS OF AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.

    An apprenticeship program shall meet the following standards:
            (1) The program prepares individuals for an apprenticeable 
        occupation through paid, structured on-the-job training in all 
        phases of the occupation, combined with related instruction.
            (2) The program has an organized and clearly written plan, 
        developed by the sponsor, that includes, at a minimum, the 
        following information:
                    (A) The employment and training to be received by 
                each apprentice participating in the program, 
                including--
                            (i) an outline of the work processes or the 
                        plan in which the apprentice will receive 
                        supervised work experience and training on the 
                        job;
                            (ii) the allocation of the approximate 
                        amount of time to be spent in each major work 
                        process;
                            (iii) mentoring; and
                            (iv) periodic reviews and evaluations of 
                        the apprentice's performance on the job and in 
                        related instruction.
                    (B) A process for maintaining appropriate progress 
                records, including the reviews and evaluations 
                described in subparagraph (A)(iv).
                    (C) A description of the organized, related 
                instruction the apprentice will receive in technical 
                subjects related to the occupation, which--
                            (i) shall include not less than 144 hours 
                        for each year of apprenticeship, unless an 
                        alternative requirement is put forth by the 
                        employer and sponsor that reflects industry 
                        standards and is accepted by the Secretary;
                            (ii) may be accomplished through classroom 
                        instruction, occupational or industry courses, 
                        instruction provided through electronic media, 
                        or other instruction approved by the 
                        registration agency; and
                            (iii) shall be provided by one or more 
                        qualified instructors.
                    (D) A progressively increasing, clearly defined 
                schedule of wages to be paid to the apprentice that 
                is--
                            (i) consistent with skill gains or 
                        attainment of a recognized postsecondary 
                        credential; and
                            (ii) ensures the entry wage is not less 
                        than the greater of--
                                    (I) the minimum wage required under 
                                section 6(a) of the Fair Labor 
                                Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 
                                206(a)); or
                                    (II) the applicable wage required 
                                by other applicable Federal or State 
                                law (including regulations) or 
                                collective bargaining agreement.
                    (E) The term of apprenticeship for the program, 
                which may be measured using--
                            (i) a time-based approach which requires 
                        the completion of the industry standard for on-
                        the-job learning hours (which in no case shall 
                        be less than 2,000 hours, unless an alternative 
                        requirement is put forth by the employer and 
                        sponsor that reflects industry standards and is 
                        accepted by the Secretary);
                            (ii) a competency-based approach, which 
                        requires the attainment of competency in the 
                        occupation; or
                            (iii) a hybrid approach that blends the 
                        time-based and competency-based approaches.
                    (F) The methods used to measure skill acquisition 
                for an apprentice, which--
                            (i) for each apprenticeship, shall include 
                        the individual apprentice's successful 
                        demonstration of acquired skills and knowledge, 
                        by--
                                    (I) requiring apprentices to 
                                complete an on-the-job learning 
                                component of the apprenticeship that is 
                                integrated into the program and the 
                                competencies of the program; and
                                    (II) identifying the appropriate 
                                means of testing and evaluation for 
                                such competencies;
                            (ii) in the case of a time-based 
                        apprenticeship described in subparagraph 
                        (E)(i), shall also include the individual 
                        apprentice's completion of the required hours 
                        of on-the-job learning as described in a work 
                        process schedule; and
                            (iii) in the case of a hybrid 
                        apprenticeship described in subparagraph 
                        (E)(iii), a combination of specified minimum 
                        number of hours of on-the-job learning and the 
                        successful demonstration of competency, as 
                        described in a work process schedule.
                    (G) Other terms and conditions of employment, 
                training, and supervision of apprentices in the 
                program, as required by the Secretary or the 
                registration agency.
            (3) The program equally grants advanced standing or credit 
        for all individuals applying for the apprenticeship with 
        demonstrated competency or acquired experience, training, or 
        skills and provides commensurate wages for any progression in 
        standing or credit so granted.
            (4) In the case of a program that chooses to issue an 
        interim credential, the program--
                    (A) clearly identifies each interim credential;
                    (B) only issues an interim credential for 
                recognized components of an apprenticeable occupation, 
                and demonstrates how each interim credential 
                specifically links to the knowledge, skills, and 
                abilities associated with such components; and
                    (C) establishes the process for assessing an 
                individual apprentice's demonstration of competency and 
                measurable skill gains associated with the particular 
                interim credential.
            (5) The program has adequate and safe equipment and 
        facilities for training and supervision, and provides safety 
        training for apprentices on the job and in related instruction.
            (6) The program has minimum qualifications for individuals 
        desiring to enter the apprenticeship program, with an eligible 
        starting age for an apprentice of not less than 16 years.
            (7) The program provides that an individual who is to 
        become an apprentice under the program enters into a written 
        apprenticeship agreement described in section 128 with the 
        sponsor.
            (8) The program records and maintains all records 
        concerning the program as may be required by the Secretary, the 
        registration agency of the program, or any other applicable 
        law.
            (9) The program awards a certificate of completion in 
        recognition of successful completion of apprenticeship, 
        evidenced by an appropriate certificate issued by the 
        registration agency, and culminates in a recognized 
        postsecondary credential.
            (10) The program provides all individuals with an equal 
        opportunity to participate in apprenticeships under the 
        program, including through the method for the selection of 
        apprentices, as described in section 122(b).

SEC. 128. APPRENTICESHIP AGREEMENT STANDARDS.

    An apprenticeship agreement shall contain, explicitly or by 
reference--
            (1)(A) in the case of a time-based apprenticeship program, 
        a statement of the number of hours to be spent by the 
        apprentice in on-the-job work in order to complete the program;
            (B) in the case of a competency-based program, a 
        description of the skill sets to be attained by completion of 
        the program, including the on-the-job learning component; or
            (C) in the case of a hybrid program, the minimum number of 
        hours to be spent by the apprentice and a description of the 
        skill sets and competencies to be attained by completion of the 
        program;
            (2) the number of hours to be spent in and form of related 
        instruction in technical subjects related to the apprenticeable 
        occupation;
            (3) a schedule of the work processes in the occupation or 
        industry divisions in which the apprentice is to be trained and 
        the approximate time to be spent at each process;
            (4) the graduated scale of wages to be paid to the 
        apprentice and a statement regarding whether the required 
        related instruction described in paragraph (2) is compensated;
            (5) a statement that the apprentice will be accorded equal 
        opportunity in all phases of apprenticeship employment and 
        training, in accordance with the State plan for equal 
        employment opportunity in apprenticeship described in section 
        114(c)(1)(B) and in compliance with the requirements of the 
        Secretary;
            (6) methods for providing quarterly data describing the 
        outcomes associated with the apprenticeship program; and
            (7) additional requirements determined necessary by the 
        Secretary or the registration agency.

                  Subtitle C--Evaluations and Research

SEC. 131. EVALUATIONS.

    (a) Evaluations of Programs and Activities by the Secretary.--
            (1) In general.--For the purpose of improving the 
        management and effectiveness of the programs (including 
        projects) and activities carried out under this Act, the 
        Secretary shall provide for the evaluation, by an independent 
        evaluator, of the programs and activities.
            (2) Contents.--Such evaluations shall address--
                    (A) the general effectiveness of such programs and 
                activities in relation to their cost, including 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 activities;
                            (ii) to the extent feasible, increase the 
                        level of total employment and, for covered 
                        apprenticeship programs, recognized 
                        postsecondary credential attainment and 
                        measurable skills over the level that would 
                        have existed in the absence of such programs 
                        and activities; and
                            (iii) respond to local labor market data 
                        and align with in-demand industries or 
                        occupations;
                    (B) the impact of the programs and activities for 
                the participants, sponsors or program administrators, 
                and employers;
                    (C) the return on investment of Federal, State, 
                local, sponsor, employer, and other funding for covered 
                apprenticeships, capturing the full level of investment 
                in, and impact of, covered apprenticeships;
                    (D) the longitudinal outcomes for participants in 
                the programs and activities;
                    (E) the impact of specific apprenticeship policies 
                on the general effectiveness of such programs and 
                activities, as applicable; and
                    (F) opportunities to scale up effective covered 
                apprenticeship models.
            (3) Techniques.--Evaluations conducted under this 
        subsection shall utilize appropriate methodology and research 
        designs.
            (4) Reports.--
                    (A) Independent evaluator.--The independent 
                evaluator carrying out the evaluations shall prepare 
                and submit to the Secretary a final report containing 
                the results of the evaluations, and including policy 
                recommendations if applicable. The final report shall 
                be made available for public inspection.
                    (B) Secretary.--Not later than 36 months after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
                produce a final report, which shall include information 
                related to the return on investment described in 
                paragraph (2)(C).
            (5) Reports to congress.--Not later than 60 days after the 
        completion of the final report described in paragraph (4)(B), 
        the Secretary shall transmit the final report to the Committee 
        on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives 
        and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of 
        the Senate.
    (b) Reviews by Registration Agencies.--
            (1) Comprehensive reviews.--
                    (A) In general.--A registration agency shall 
                periodically review each program that the registration 
                agency has registered as a covered apprenticeship 
                program, for quality assurance and for compliance with 
                the requirements of the apprenticeship laws.
                    (B) Timing of reviews.--A review described in 
                subparagraph (A) shall occur--
                            (i) at the end of the first full training 
                        cycle of covered apprentices under the covered 
                        apprenticeship program; and
                            (ii) beginning after the review described 
                        in clause (ii), not less frequently than once 
                        every 5 years.
                    (C) Comprehensive review.--The review shall be a 
                comprehensive review regarding all aspects of the 
                covered apprenticeship program's performance, including 
                determining--
                            (i) whether the registration agency is 
                        receiving notification from the sponsor of an 
                        apprenticeship program regarding individuals 
                        who are registered as new apprentices under the 
                        apprenticeship program, or who successfully 
                        complete the apprenticeship program, as 
                        required under the apprenticeship laws;
                            (ii) whether the sponsor or program 
                        administrator of the covered apprenticeship 
                        program is complying with the requirements of 
                        the apprenticeship laws; and
                            (iii) the performance of the sponsor or 
                        program administrator with respect to, at a 
                        minimum, the indicators described in paragraph 
                        (2)(A)(i), with the performance data 
                        disaggregated as described in that paragraph.
                    (D) Reports.--On completion of a review under this 
                paragraph, the registration agency shall prepare and, 
                as applicable, submit to the Secretary a report 
                containing the results of the review.
            (2) Performance reviews.--
                    (A) In general.--A registration agency shall 
                annually conduct a performance review of each program 
                that the registration agency has registered as a 
                covered apprenticeship program, to determine--
                            (i) the performance of the sponsor or 
                        program administrator with respect to the 
                        indicators of performance under section 
                        116(b)(2)(A)(i) (or, with respect to a youth 
                        apprenticeship program, section 
                        116(b)(2)(A)(ii)) of the Workforce Innovation 
                        and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
                        3141(b)(2)(A)(i), (ii)), with the performance 
                        data disaggregated by--
                                    (I) the program type 
                                (apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, 
                                or pre-apprenticeship program) 
                                involved; and
                                    (II) race, ethnicity, sex, age, and 
                                membership in a population specified in 
                                section 3(24) of that Act (29 U.S.C. 
                                3102(24)); and
                            (ii) any additional information determined 
                        to be necessary by the Secretary or 
                        registration agency.
                    (B) Reports.--The registration agency for a State 
                shall annually prepare and, as applicable, submit to 
                the Secretary a State performance report containing the 
                results of the performance reviews conducted in the 
                State.
            (3) Techniques.--Evaluations conducted under this 
        subsection shall utilize appropriate methodology and research 
        designs.
    (c) Subsequent Action.--
            (1) Technical assistance and corrective action.--The 
        registration agency shall provide technical assistance to the 
        sponsor or program administrator of a covered apprenticeship 
        program and identify areas that require corrective action if 
        the registration agency determines, pursuant to any review 
        under subsection (b), that the covered apprenticeship program--
                    (A) is not in operation;
                    (B) is not in compliance with the requirements of 
                the apprenticeship laws; or
                    (C) is achieving levels of performance on the 
                indicators described in subsection (b)(2)(A)(i) that 
                are lower than the national or State average.
            (2) Deregistration of a program.--The registration agency 
        may deregister a covered apprenticeship program after making a 
        determination stating that the program demonstrates persistent 
        and significant failure to perform successfully, which occurs 
        when--
                    (A) the sponsor or program administrator of the 
                program consistently fails to register at least 1 
                covered apprentice;
                    (B) the program shows a pattern of poor results on 
                the indicators described in subsection (b)(2)(A)(i) 
                over a period of 3 years;
                    (C) the program demonstrates an ongoing pattern of 
                levels of performance on those indicators that are 
                lower than the national or State average;
                    (D) the program shows no indication of improvement 
                in the areas identified by the registration agency as 
                requiring corrective action under paragraph (1); or
                    (E) the sponsor or program administrator has not 
                administered the covered apprenticeship program in 
                accordance with the program's registration under 
                section 121, as applicable, or with the requirements of 
                the apprenticeship laws.
            (3) Notification and hearing.--If the registration agency 
        makes a determination described in paragraph (2), the 
        registration agency shall notify the sponsor or program 
        administrator of the determination in writing, and permit the 
        sponsor or program administrator to request a hearing by the 
        Secretary. The registration agency shall transmit to the 
        Secretary a report containing all pertinent facts and 
        circumstances concerning the determination, including findings 
        and a recommendation for deregistration, and copies of all 
        relevant documents and records. If the sponsor or program 
        administrator does not request the hearing, the registration 
        agency shall deregister the program after the period for 
        requesting such a hearing has expired. If the sponsor or 
        program administrator requests the hearing, the Secretary shall 
        make a decision on the record after the hearing with respect to 
        deregistration.
            (4) Notification and treatment of apprentices.--Not later 
        than 15 days after the Secretary deregisters a covered 
        apprenticeship program, or (if the registration agency 
        deregisters such a program and the sponsor or program 
        administrator does not request a hearing) not later than 15 
        days after the period for requesting such a hearing has 
        expired, the sponsor or program administrator shall notify all 
        covered apprentices in the program--
                    (A) of such deregistration and the effective date;
                    (B) that such deregistration automatically deprives 
                the covered apprentice of individual registration as 
                part of a covered apprenticeship program, including the 
                ability to receive a certificate of completion from the 
                registration agency;
                    (C) that the deregistration of the program removes 
                the covered apprentice from eligibility for any Federal 
                arrangement, Federal financial or other assistance, or 
                right, privilege or exemption under Federal law, that--
                            (i) relates to a covered apprentice; and
                            (ii) requires the Secretary's approval of a 
                        covered apprenticeship program; and
                    (D) that all covered apprentices are referred to 
                the registration agency for information about potential 
                transfers to other covered apprenticeship programs.
    (d) Definition.--In this section:
            (1) Deregister.--The term ``deregister'' means--
                    (A) with respect to an apprenticeship program, to 
                cancel the registration of the program and payments 
                under any grant made under title II for the program 
                involved; and
                    (B) with respect to a youth apprenticeship or a 
                pre-apprenticeship program, to cancel payments under 
                the grant awarded under title II for the program 
                involved.
            (2) Registration.--The term ``registration''--
                    (A) with respect to an apprenticeship program, 
                registration under section 122(c)(1)(B); and
                    (B) with respect to a youth apprenticeship or a 
                pre-apprenticeship program, the award of a grant under 
                title II for the program involved.
            (3) Registration agency.--The term ``registration agency'' 
        means--
                    (A) with respect to an apprenticeship program, a 
                registration agency as defined in section 3; and
                    (B) with respect to a youth apprenticeship or a 
                pre-apprenticeship program, the agency that awarded the 
                grant for the program.

SEC. 132. RESEARCH.

    (a) Research.--The Secretary may conduct, through an independent 
entity, evidence-based research on best practices in covered 
apprenticeship programs and other issues relating to such programs.
    (b) Techniques.--The research conducted under this section shall be 
evidence-based and shall utilize appropriate methodology and research 
designs.
    (c) Reports.--
            (1) Independent entity.--The independent entity carrying 
        out the research shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a 
        final report containing the results of the research, including 
        policy recommendations. The final report shall be made publicly 
        available.
            (2) Secretary.--Not later than 48 months after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall produce a final 
        report containing the results of the research, including policy 
        recommendations.
    (d) Reports to Congress.--Not later than 60 days after the 
completion of the final report described in subsection (c)(2), the 
Secretary shall transmit the final reports to the committees described 
in section 131(a)(5).
    (e) Public Access.--The Secretary shall develop a mechanism to make 
research conducted under this section publically available in a timely 
manner.

                     Subtitle D--General Provisions

SEC. 141. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title 
such sums as may be necessary.

      TITLE II--APPRENTICESHIP MODERNIZATION AND EXPANSION GRANTS

SEC. 201. GRANTS.

    (a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
            (1) to support and rigorously evaluate evidence-based and 
        innovative strategies and activities;
            (2) to expand existing apprenticeship programs;
            (3) to develop new apprenticeship programs in industry 
        sectors or occupations not traditionally represented in 
        apprenticeship programs;
            (4) to support qualified intermediaries; and
            (5) to support youth apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship 
        programs.
    (b) Definition.--In this section:
            (1) Eligible applicant.--The term ``eligible applicant'' 
        means a consortium of entities that shall include 1 or more 
        representatives from each of the following:
                    (A) A local educational agency, area career and 
                technical education school, educational service agency, 
                or postsecondary educational institution.
                    (B) In a State with a State registration agency, 
                that registration agency.
                    (C) An industry or business, consisting of an 
                employer, a group of employers, a trade association, a 
                professional association, or an entity that sponsors an 
                apprenticeship program.
                    (D) A State workforce development board or local 
                workforce development board.
                    (E) To the maximum extent practicable, as 
                determined by the consortium--
                            (i) a labor organization associated with 
                        the industry sector or occupation related to 
                        the covered apprenticeship program involved; 
                        and
                            (ii) a qualified intermediary.
            (2) New or existing.--The term ``new'' or ``existing'', 
        used with respect to a program, means a program that was new or 
        existing, respectively, as of the day the eligible applicant 
        involved submitted the application for the grant involved.
            (3) State apprenticeship agency.--The term ``State 
        apprenticeship agency'' means the State apprenticeship agency 
        (as defined in section 3), acting in coordination with the 
        State agency with responsibility for workforce investment 
        activities under chapters 2 and 3 of subtitle B of title I (29 
        U.S.C. 3121 et seq., 3131 et seq.).
    (c) Authority.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall use the amounts 
        appropriated under subsection (i) to award grants to eligible 
        applicants to carry out the activities described in subsection 
        (f).
            (2) Duration.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants 
                awarded under this subsection for a period of not more 
                than 3 years.
                    (B) Extension.--The Secretary may extend the grant 
                period for such a grant for not more than 1 additional 
                2-year period, if the grant recipient demonstrates to 
                the Secretary that the recipient--
                            (i) has effectively implemented a project 
                        described in subsection (f)(4); and
                            (ii) has improved outcomes for, as 
                        applicable, apprentices, youth apprentices, and 
                        pre-apprentices, as demonstrated through levels 
                        on indicators referred to in subsection 
                        (h)(2)(B)(i).
    (d) Applications.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this 
section for a project involving a covered apprenticeship program, an 
eligible applicant shall submit an application to the Secretary, 
containing such information as the Secretary may require, including, at 
a minimum--
            (1) a designation of the member of the consortium referred 
        to in subsection (b)(1) that will be the lead applicant, and 
        the member of such consortium that will be the fiscal agent, 
        for the eligible applicant;
            (2) a description of each member of the consortium referred 
        to in subsection (b)(1) and the role of each member in carrying 
        out the project described in subsection (f)(4), which shall, at 
        a minimum, demonstrate the eligible applicant's--
                    (A) success in enrolling, instructing, advancing, 
                and graduating individuals in covered apprenticeship 
                programs, and enabling the individuals to succeed in 
                employment that leads to self-sufficiency after program 
                completion;
                    (B) ability to support, including by providing 
                technical assistance, small- and medium-sized 
                businesses in the creation of, recruitment for, and 
                execution of covered apprenticeship programs;
                    (C) ability to access and provide opportunities to 
                rural communities as appropriate, and populations 
                typically underrepresented in the industry sector or 
                occupation of focus, such as women, minorities, 
                individuals with disabilities, veterans, and 
                individuals with barriers to employment; and
                    (D) ability to provide access to financial 
                planning, mentoring, and alignment of supportive 
                services, such as transportation, child care, dependent 
                care, housing, and needs-related payments, that are 
                necessary to enable an individual to participate in and 
                complete a covered apprenticeship program;
            (3) a description of the budget for the project, the 
        source, amount, and use of the matching funds required under 
        subsection (g), and how the eligible applicant will continue 
        the project after the grant period ends, if applicable;
            (4) a description of--
                    (A) how the eligible applicant will use the grant 
                funds as specified in subsection (f)(4), including a 
                description of the activities described in 
                subparagraphs (A) through (E) of that section that the 
                eligible applicant will carry out;
                    (B) how the project or the program involved in the 
                project will be aligned with the labor market needs of 
                in-demand industry sectors or occupations; and
                    (C) how such funds will directly benefit 
                apprentices, youth apprentices, or pre-apprentices, as 
                applicable, served by the eligible applicant;
            (5) a description of how the project carried out under the 
        grant will be coordinated with the activities carried out as 
        required for the covered apprenticeship program involved;
            (6) a description of how the eligible applicant for the 
        project will comply with requirements for an evaluation and 
        report under subsection (h);
            (7) a description of how the activities assisted under the 
        grant will be coordinated with activities carried out under the 
        Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 
        U.S.C. 2301 et seq.), the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), or the Workforce Innovation and 
        Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), as applicable;
            (8) a description of how the eligible applicant will 
        recruit and retain participants from nontraditional 
        apprenticeship populations, meaning populations that include 
        women, minorities, and individuals with barriers to employment, 
        for covered apprenticeship programs; and
            (9) an assurance that the eligible applicant will--
                    (A) provide information to the Secretary, as 
                requested, for such evaluations as the Secretary may 
                carry out; and
                    (B) make program performance outcome data available 
                (in accordance with applicable data privacy laws, 
                including section 444 of the General Education 
                Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g)) to independent 
                evaluators for validation and to enable the evaluators 
                to prepare the evaluations and reports described in 
                subsection (h).
    (e) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary 
shall give priority to eligible applicants proposing to serve a high 
number or high percentage of participants who are from nontraditional 
apprenticeship populations described in subsection (d)(8).
    (f) Uses of Funds.--A recipient of a grant under this section shall 
use the grant funds to--
            (1) coordinate 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.), the 
        Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), or the 
        Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et 
        seq.), as applicable;
            (2) recruit, assess, and enroll participants in covered 
        apprenticeship programs, especially in regard to--
                    (A) providing support for employers, sponsors, or 
                program administrators, as relevant, for the 
                establishment or expansion of covered apprenticeship 
                programs; and
                    (B) recruiting and retaining nontraditional 
                apprenticeship populations described in subsection 
                (d)(8);
            (3) ensure that the sponsor or program administrator for 
        the covered apprenticeship program involved uses 5 percent of 
        the grant funds to provide financial assistance to support the 
        financial needs of covered apprentices to enter, remain 
        enrolled in, and complete the program, such as support for the 
        related costs of training, supplies, courses, transportation, 
        child care, and housing; and
            (4) carry out a project that, at a minimum--
                    (A) expands existing apprenticeship programs, to 
                pay for the costs associated with--
                            (i) providing training or related 
                        instruction associated with the apprenticeship 
                        program or for curriculum improvements that 
                        align with the requirements of the 
                        apprenticeship program and learning 
                        assessments;
                            (ii) maintaining a connection between--
                                    (I) the apprenticeship program; and
                                    (II) a pre-apprenticeship or youth 
                                apprenticeship program;
                            (iii) conducting assessments of potential 
                        participants for, and enrollment of the 
                        participants in, the apprenticeship program;
                            (iv) conducting outreach to and engagement 
                        with employers;
                            (v) carrying out data collection and 
                        reporting activities; and
                            (vi) providing training for instructors or 
                        mentors;
                    (B) develops new apprenticeship programs in in-
                demand industry sectors or occupations not 
                traditionally represented in apprenticeship programs, 
                including, at a minimum--
                            (i) documenting growth over the previous 10 
                        years at the Federal, State, or local level in 
                        in-demand industry sectors or occupations that 
                        have not traditionally been industry sectors 
                        with apprenticeable occupations, or 
                        apprenticeable occupations, respectively;
                            (ii) recruiting and supporting employers, 
                        especially small- and medium-sized businesses, 
                        for and in the creation and execution of new 
                        apprenticeship programs;
                            (iii) promoting outreach to communities and 
                        to potential sponsors for those communities, 
                        about apprenticeship programs, including 
                        outreach to rural communities and communities 
                        with populations typically underrepresented in 
                        the industry sector or occupation of focus, 
                        such as women, minorities, individuals with 
                        disabilities, veterans, and individuals with 
                        barriers to employment;
                            (iv) creating, or establishing partnerships 
                        with entities to provide, access to financial 
                        planning, mentoring, and alignment of 
                        supportive services, such as transportation, 
                        child care, dependent care, housing, and needs-
                        related payments, that are necessary to enable 
                        an individual to participate in and complete an 
                        apprenticeship program;
                            (v)(I) creating, developing, or adopting 
                        related instruction associated with an 
                        apprenticeship program, or developing a 
                        curriculum that aligns with the requirements of 
                        the program and a corresponding learning 
                        assessment; and
                            (II) obtaining or providing related 
                        training; and
                            (vi) creating a connection between--
                                    (I) the apprenticeship program; and
                                    (II) a pre-apprenticeship or youth 
                                apprenticeship program;
                    (C) expands support for qualified intermediaries 
                that are supporting covered apprenticeship programs, or 
                are seeking to expand their capacity to serve covered 
                apprenticeship programs, to enable the qualified 
                intermediaries to carry out, at a minimum, activities 
                that consist of--
                            (i) engaging employers, especially small- 
                        and medium-sized businesses, in the formation 
                        or ongoing development of industry or sector 
                        partnerships;
                            (ii) identifying in-demand industry sectors 
                        or occupations to serve, in alignment and 
                        coordination with State, regional, and local 
                        plans, as required under the Workforce 
                        Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 
                        et seq.);
                            (iii) supporting alignment between covered 
                        apprenticeship programs and local labor market 
                        needs, to ensure all programs are in alignment 
                        with those needs;
                            (iv) engaging with local education and 
                        training providers to support related 
                        instruction aligned with the needs of in-demand 
                        industry sectors and occupations, and where 
                        applicable, support provision of academic 
                        credit for related instruction; or
                            (v) providing services, including business 
                        engagement, classroom instruction, and 
                        supportive services (including at least 6 
                        months of supportive services after the 
                        conclusion of the covered apprenticeship 
                        program involved);
                    (D) creates or expands pre-apprenticeship programs, 
                which shall include, at a minimum--
                            (i) coordination of activities with 
                        apprenticeship programs in in-demand industry 
                        sectors or occupations in the region;
                            (ii) the use of integrated work-based and 
                        academic learning, which may include training 
                        in the workplace;
                            (iii) provision of career and education 
                        exploration activities, including exploration 
                        of apprenticeship programs and postsecondary 
                        opportunities; and
                            (iv) for participants without a high school 
                        diploma or its generally recognized equivalent, 
                        payment of costs affiliated with acquiring that 
                        equivalent; and
                    (E) creates or expands youth apprenticeship 
                programs, which shall include, at a minimum--
                            (i) paying for the costs associated with 
                        curriculum development and alignment of that 
                        curriculum with industry-recognized credentials 
                        (with the quality of the training leading to 
                        that credential reviewed by a recipient of 
                        Federal funds), high school graduation 
                        requirements, and apprenticeship programs, 
                        including curriculum development for and 
                        alignment through dual or concurrent 
                        enrollment;
                            (ii) providing employer support for youth 
                        apprentices under the age of 18;
                            (iii) the use of integrated work-based and 
                        academic learning, which may include training 
                        in the workplace; and
                            (iv) provision of career exploration 
                        activities, including exploration of 
                        apprenticeship programs and postsecondary 
                        opportunities.
    (g) Non-Federal Match.--
            (1) Matching funds required.--Except as provided under 
        paragraph (2), the Secretary may not make a grant for an entity 
        under this section unless the entity agrees that, with respect 
        to the costs to be incurred by the entity in carrying out the 
        project for which the grant was awarded, the entity will make 
        available matching funds from non-Federal sources in an amount 
        not less than $3 for every $4 of Federal funds provided under 
        the grant. The entity may make the matching funds available 
        directly or through donations from public or private 
        organizations, in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated.
            (2) Exception.--The Secretary may waive the matching funds 
        requirement under paragraph (1) if the entity demonstrates that 
        exceptional circumstances prevent the entity from meeting the 
        requirement.
    (h) Evaluation.--Each recipient of a grant under this section 
shall--
            (1) annually provide for an independent evaluation of the 
        project carried out under such grant;
            (2) provide for the independent evaluator to prepare an 
        annual report, based on the evaluation, that includes--
                    (A) a description of how the funds received through 
                the grant were used and how the uses of funds aligned 
                with the description in the application specified in 
                subsection (d)(4); and
                    (B) information on--
                            (i) for a project involving an existing 
                        covered apprenticeship program, the performance 
                        of the grant recipient with respect to, at a 
                        minimum, the indicators of performance under 
                        section 116(b)(2)(A)(i) (or, with respect to a 
                        youth apprenticeship program, section 
                        116(b)(2)(A)(ii)) of the Workforce Innovation 
                        and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
                        3141(b)(2)(A)(i)), with the performance data 
                        disaggregated by--
                                    (I) the program type 
                                (apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, 
                                or pre-apprenticeship program) assisted 
                                under the grant; and
                                    (II) race, ethnicity, sex, age, and 
                                membership in a population specified in 
                                section 3(24) of that Act (29 U.S.C. 
                                3102(24)); and
                            (ii) for a project involving a new covered 
                        apprenticeship program, the performance of the 
                        grant recipient--
                                    (I) for reports submitted during 
                                the first 36 months after the project 
                                involved begins--
                                            (aa) that consists of a 
                                        quantitative and qualitative 
                                        analysis of program 
                                        development, including 
                                        participant engagement and 
                                        recruitment of partners, 
                                        employers, and potential 
                                        covered apprentices; and
                                            (bb) on the indicators of 
                                        performance described in clause 
                                        (i), as such performance 
                                        information becomes available; 
                                        and
                                    (II) for reports submitted later 
                                than that first 36 months, the 
                                performance of the grant recipient with 
                                respect to, at a minimum, the 
                                indicators described in clause (i), 
                                with the performance data disaggregated 
                                as described in clause (i); and
            (3) submit the report--
                    (A) for a project that relates to an apprenticeship 
                program, to the registration agency through which the 
                program is registered; and
                    (B) for a project that relates to a youth 
                apprenticeship program or pre-apprenticeship program, 
                to the State apprenticeship agency.
    (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary.

                     TITLE III--GENERAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 301. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

    Nothing in this Act shall be construed to supersede the 
requirements or standards of 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.), or any rule implementing such Act, except to the 
extent that this Act conflicts with any such requirement, standard, or 
rule.

SEC. 302. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    Except as otherwise provided, this Act shall take effect on July 1, 
2019.
                                 <all>