Youth Apprenticeship Advancement Act

Bill: 118-s-2363
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2023-07-18
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Latest action: action_date: 2023-07-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Summaries:

tv_txt: II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2363 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 18, 2023 Mr. Hickenlooper (for himself and Mr. Braun ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To promote and expand high-quality youth apprenticeship programs and provide support and incentives to help employees establish such programs.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Youth Apprenticeship Advancement Act . 2. Purposes The purposes of this Act are— (1) to promote and expand high-quality youth apprenticeship programs that— (A) strengthen the transition from high school to employment and postsecondary education in high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand industry sectors and occupations; (B) serve all youth, including youth with barriers to access to, participation in, and completion of youth apprenticeship programs; and (C) lead to rewarding, longer-term careers and success in the labor market; and (2) to provide support and incentives to help employers establish high-quality youth apprenticeships to meet their needs for skilled workers and diversify their workforces. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Award The term award means a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement. (2) Competency The term competency means the attainment of knowledge, skills, and abilities in a subject area, as specified by an occupational skill standard and demonstrated by an appropriate written and hands-on proficiency measurement. (3) CTE terms The terms area career and technical education school , Tribally controlled college or university , Tribally controlled postsecondary career and technical institution , and work-based learning have the meanings given the terms in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302). (4) Education and training provider The term education and training provider means— (A) an area career and technical education school; (B) an early college high school; (C) a dual or concurrent enrollment program; (D) an educational service agency; (E) a high school; (F) a local educational agency or State educational agency; (G) a Tribal educational agency, Tribally controlled college or university, or Tribally controlled postsecondary career and technical institution; (H) an institution of higher education; (I) a Historically Black College or University, meaning a part B institution as defined in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061)); (J) a minority-serving institution; (K) a local agency administering plans under title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 720 et seq.), other than section 112 or part C of that title (29 U.S.C. 732, 741); (L) a related integrated instruction provider, including a qualified intermediary acting as a related integrated instruction provider as approved by the Office of Apprenticeship or a State apprenticeship agency recognized by the Secretary; and (M) a consortium of entities described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (L). (5) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means a partnership that shall include— (A) 1 or more State educational agencies or local educational agencies; (B) 1 or more youth apprenticeship program sponsors, which may be employers; and (C) entities or officials from not fewer than 2 categories consisting of the following: (i) A Governor of a State, including a Governor acting through 1 or more State agencies. (ii) A State workforce development board or State workforce agency, or a local workforce development board or local workforce agency. (iii) An education and training provider, or a consortium thereof. (iv) A State vocational rehabilitation agency. (v) A qualified intermediary. (vi) An industry or sector partnership, a group of employers, a trade association, or a professional association. (vii) A labor organization or joint-labor management organization. (viii) An Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Urban Indian organization. (ix) A nonprofit entity, such as a community-based organization, human or youth services provider, or economic development organization. (6) ESEA terms (A) In general The terms dual or concurrent enrollment program , early college high school , educational service agency , high school , local educational agency , regular high school diploma , and State educational agency have the meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). (B) Challenging State academic standards The term challenging State academic standards has the meaning given the term in section 1111(b)(1)(A) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)(A)). (C) Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities The term students with the most significant cognitive disabilities means such students, within the meaning of section 1111(b)(1)(E)(i) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)(E)(i)). (7) Evidence-based The term evidence-based , used with respect to a practice or approach, means a youth apprenticeship, postsecondary education, or career-related strategy or intervention that meets subparagraph (A)(i) or subclause (I) or (II) of subparagraph (A)(ii) of section 8101(21) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(21)). (8) Indian Tribe; Tribal organization The terms Indian Tribe and Tribal organization have the meanings given the terms (without regard to capitalization) in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). (9) Interim credential The term interim credential means a credential issued by a local educational agency, secondary school, institution of higher education, sponsor of a youth apprenticeship program, or industry-recognized third party, or the Office of Apprenticeship or a State apprenticeship agency recognized by the Secretary, upon request of the sponsor, as certification of a regular high school diploma, competency, or a recognized postsecondary credential by a youth apprentice during participation in a youth apprenticeship program. (10) Minority-serving institution The term minority-serving institution means an institution defined in any of paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)). (11) National apprenticeship system The term national apprenticeship system means the apprenticeship programs, youth apprenticeship programs, and pre-apprenticeship programs that are approved by the Office of Apprenticeship and State apprenticeship agencies. (12) Nontraditional apprenticeship population The term nontraditional apprenticeship population means a group of individuals with a common demographic trait (such as individuals from the same gender, race, or ethnicity), the members of which— (A) with respect to an established youth apprenticeship program, comprise less than 25 percent of the program participants in that youth apprenticeship program; or (B) based on the most recent satisfactory data from the Bureau of the Census, comprise a percentage of individuals employed in an occupation that is lower than the percentage of the total population of the United States comprised by such members. (13) Outlying area The term outlying area means American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands. (14) Postsecondary education and career guidance and counseling The term postsecondary education and career guidance and counseling means guidance and counseling that provides students, and as appropriate, parents or legal guardians— (A) access to information about career awareness, exploration opportunities, and planning with respect to a student’s academic and occupational future along career pathways; (B) information about career options, financial aid, apprenticeship and other work-based learning opportunities, postsecondary education options, dual or concurrent enrollment programs and early college programs, and financial literacy, as appropriate; and (C) information about supportive services that increase enrollment, retention, and completion in youth apprenticeship programs. (15) Qualified intermediary The term qualified intermediary means a nonprofit entity that demonstrates expertise and experience in serving participants, employers, and schools by— (A) building, sustaining, measuring, and improving the quality and performance of youth apprenticeship programs; (B) assisting in the design, approval, registration, and implementation of youth apprenticeship programs, including program development, and meeting program requirements, including registration and reporting requirements; (C) in collaboration with 1 or more State educational agencies, local educational agencies, or institutions of higher education included in the eligible entity, providing collaborative professional development activities such as training for workplace supervisors, mentors, counselors, and teachers, instructors, and other educators; (D) supporting the recruitment for, retention in, and completion of youth apprenticeship programs by potential or enrolled youth apprentices, including youth apprentices who are from low-income backgrounds or members of nontraditional apprenticeship populations; (E) developing and providing personalized youth apprentice supports, including by partnering with organizations to provide access to or referrals for supportive services, financial literacy, and other support based upon needs of potential or enrolled youth apprentices; (F) supporting collaboration or partnerships among the partners of the eligible entity; or (G) serving as a program sponsor. (16) Related integrated instruction The term related integrated instruction means instruction in technical subjects, related to the occupation in which a youth apprentice engages in work-based learning during a youth apprenticeship program, that— (A) concerns essential employability skills; (B) supports successful participation in and completion of the youth apprenticeship program accomplished through integrated and aligned classroom instruction; and (C) may include occupational courses, or other instruction approved by the involved State educational agency or local educational agency. (17) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Labor. (18) Sponsor The term sponsor means any employer, joint labor-management organization, trade association, committee, professional association, labor organization, education and training provider, or qualified intermediary— (A) in whose name a youth apprenticeship program is registered or is to be registered under the National Apprenticeship System; and (B) that assumes responsibility for the implementation of such a program. (19) State The term State — (A) has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102); and (B) includes each of the outlying areas. (20) State or local workforce development board The terms State workforce development and local workforce development , used with respect to a board, have the meanings given the terms State board and local board , respectively, in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102). (21) State vocational rehabilitation agency The term State vocational rehabilitation agency means a designated State agency or designated State unit, as the case may be, as such terms are defined in section 7 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 705). (22) State workforce agency The term State used with respect to a workforce agency, means the State agency with responsibility for workforce investment activities under chapters 2 and 3 of subtitle B of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3121 et seq., 3131 et seq.). (23) Tribal educational agency The term Tribal educational agency has the meaning given the term (without regard to capitalization) in section 6132 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7452). (24) Urban Indian organization The term Urban Indian organization has the meaning given the term in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603). (25) WIOA terms The terms career pathway , in-demand industry sector or occupation , individual with a disability , industry or sector partnership , institution of higher education , recognized postsecondary credential , and supportive services have the meanings given in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102). (26) Youth The term youth means an individual who is not younger than age 16 or older than age 22. (27) Youth apprentice The term youth apprentice means a youth who is— (A) not younger than age 16 or older than age 22; (B) participating in a youth apprenticeship program; and (C) enrolled in or returning to high school at the start of the program. (28) Youth apprenticeship agreement The term youth apprenticeship agreement means a written agreement under section 101 that is agreed to by each of the following: (A) A youth. (B) The youth’s parent or legal guardian, as applicable. (C) One or more local educational agencies. (D) The youth apprenticeship sponsor, which may be an employer for a youth apprenticeship. (E) As appropriate, a qualified intermediary for a youth apprenticeship. (F) As appropriate, one or more institutions of higher education. (G) As appropriate, one or more employers. (29) Youth apprenticeship program The term youth apprenticeship program means an apprenticeship program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the National Apprenticeship Act ; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.) that— (A) is designed for youth not younger than age 16 or older than age 22 who at the start of the program are enrolled in or returning to high school; and (B) meets the standards described in section 102. I Youth apprenticeship programs 101. Youth apprenticeship agreements (a) In general The Administrator shall require a sponsor to develop a youth apprenticeship agreement, for each youth apprenticeship program, that shall— (1) be the same for each youth apprentice; (2) contain— (A) the names and signatures of the parties, as appropriate, as described in section 3(28); (B) the term of the youth apprenticeship program; (C) a statement of the number of hours to be spent by the youth apprentice in on-the-job learning and on-the-job training, in order to complete the program, if the term of the youth apprenticeship is measured through a time-based or hybrid approach (as described in section 29.5(b)(2)(i) and (ii) of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)); (D) a description of the skill sets to be attained by completion of the program, including the on-the-job learning and on-the-job training components; (E) a description of the number of hours and form of related integrated instruction provided, and how such instruction will relate to graduation requirements for the entities referred to in subparagraphs (C) or (F) of section 3(28), as applicable; (F) a description of the regular high school diploma or (for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities) the State-defined alternate diploma aligned to the alternate academic achievement standards described under section 1111(b)(1)(E) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)(E)), or a recognized postsecondary credential, that the youth apprentice will be eligible to receive upon program completion; (G) a description of the use, in the program, of universal design for learning and other evidence-based practices known to support youth with disabilities; (H) a statement of the costs the youth apprentice will incur for participating in the program (such as costs for equipment, related integrated instruction, or assessment or licensure fees); (I) a description of the methods used in the program to measure skill acquisition for a youth apprentice; (J) a description of the mentoring that will be provided to the youth apprentice; (K) a description or timeline explaining the periodic reviews and evaluations of the youth apprentice’s performance on the job and in related integrated instruction; (L) a description of the graduated wage scale for wages to be paid to the youth apprentice, benefits offered to youth apprentices, and how the wages and benefits compare to State, local, or regional wages and benefits in the related occupation; (M) a description of the safe work and training environment that will be provided for youth apprentices, including an environment in compliance with all applicable Federal and State workplace safety and labor laws; (N) a statement of the credit or credential, which may be an interim credential, that the youth apprentice will earn during or on completion of the program, issued by an entity that may be an institution of higher education; (O) a statement of the numeric ratio of youth apprentices to supervisors (such as journeyworkers, mentors, or on-the-job learning instructors, as applicable) for the occupation for the youth apprenticeship involved, which ratio is— (i) based on evidence-based and evidence-informed best practices for supervision, training, safety, and continuity of employment in the occupation, throughout the work processes of the program, and of the job site, department, or plant involved; and (ii) appropriate for the degree of hazard in different occupation; and (P) a description of how the program sponsor will promote diversity and equal opportunity for youth apprentices in the program, and for the industry, including by supporting the recruitment of, employment of, retention of, and program completion by nontraditional youth apprenticeship populations, such as women, people of color, individuals with disabilities, individuals from low-income backgrounds, individuals impacted by the criminal and juvenile justice system, and disconnected youth, as applicable. (b) Collective bargaining Nothing in a youth apprenticeship agreement or this Act shall operate to invalidate an applicable provision in a collective bargaining agreement, between employers and employees, establishing higher standards for programs under the national apprenticeship system. 102. Youth apprenticeship program standards (a) In general The sponsor of a youth apprenticeship program shall (directly or through a partner in an eligible entity)— (1) provide youth apprentices work-based learning and related integrated instruction that— (A) combines related integrated instruction with on-the-job training and on-the-job learning in an in-demand industry sector or occupation, as described in subparagraphs (C) through (G) of section 101(a)(2); (B) aligns with challenging State academic standards or the alternate academic achievement standards (for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities), the State requirements for completing a regular high school diploma or (for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities) the State-defined alternate diploma, postsecondary education standards for the award of academic credit, and standards for certifying educational attainment through related integrated instruction and work-based learning; (C) may be organized sequentially or concurrently to support learning opportunities, including being provided through dual or concurrent enrollment programs or through early college high school programs, or as available, programs of an institution of higher education; (D) is conducive to work and training in a safe environment in accordance with applicable Federal and State child labor laws; (E) enable youth apprentices to acquire— (i) a regular high school diploma, or (for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities) the State-defined alternate diploma aligned to the alternate academic achievement standards described under section 1111(b)(1)(E) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)(E)); (ii) a Federal certificate of completion for an apprenticeship under the national apprenticeship system; (iii) postsecondary education credit, as applicable; and (iv) an industry-recognized postsecondary credential, as applicable; (2) lead to careers in high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand industry sectors and occupations in the local or regional labor market and an increase in the prospects for youth, especially youth who are from low-income backgrounds or who are members of nontraditional apprenticeship populations, to obtain employment in careers in high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand industry sectors and occupations; (3) pay wages to youth apprentices based on a progressively increasing, clearly defined schedule of wages that is linked to the acquisition of competencies, consistent with the youth apprenticeship agreements; (4) establish, maintain, and develop strong partnerships and engagement with industry in a manner that ensures that youth apprentices complete the youth apprenticeship program and acquire credentials described in clauses (i) through (iv) of paragraph (1)(E) that demonstrate the acquisition of skills and knowledge needed by employers; (5) provide individualized career counseling, counseling about postsecondary education, and academic counseling, including tutoring, mentoring, and ongoing reviews and assessments of skill acquisition, of performance on the job, and of performance in related integrated instruction, as described in section 101(a)(2); (6) provide youth apprentices with supportive services and other services to recruit and retain the youth apprentices, and assure their persistence in and completion of the program; and (7) provide collaborative professional development services to workplace supervisors, mentors, teachers, counselors, and other staff to develop and maintain a well-integrated, high-performing program. II Youth apprenticeship advancement fund 201. Youth apprenticeship advancement fund (a) In general The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Education and the Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship, shall use funds made available under section 286(s)(2)(A)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(s)(2)(A)(ii)) to make awards to eligible entities to assist the eligible entities by paying for the program share of the cost of carrying out youth apprenticeship programs, including by supporting an evidence-based approach to assist youth, particularly youth who are from low-income backgrounds or who are members of non-traditional apprenticeship populations— (1) acquire academic and occupational skills by completing— (A) the requirements for a regular high school diploma, or (for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities) a State-defined alternate diploma aligned to the alternate academic achievement standards described under section 1111(b)(1)(E) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1)(E)); (B) a certificate of completion in recognition of successful completion of the program, evidenced by an appropriate certificate issued by the National Apprenticeship System; (C) college credit, as appropriate; and (D) the remaining requirements of a youth apprenticeship program; (2) transition, after completion of a youth apprenticeship program, to full-time unsubsidized employment or continued postsecondary education; (3) earn an industry-recognized postsecondary credential; and (4) earn college credit towards a degree from an institution of higher education, as applicable. (b) Duration The duration of any award made under subsection (a) shall be for a period of not more than 5 years. (c) Application (1) Form and procedure An eligible entity that desires to receive an award under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (2) Minimum requirements The Secretary shall require that an application submitted under paragraph (1) include, at a minimum— (A) the youth apprenticeship agreement the eligible entity intends to use; (B) a description of, as applicable— (i) outreach and marketing activities for the youth apprenticeship program, to be carried out with an emphasis on increasing access to, and equity and diversity in, the youth apprenticeship program; (ii) the experience and expertise of the eligible entity and roles that partners in the entity will play in carrying out administration and operations activities of the youth apprenticeship program; (iii) incentives to be provided to the partners of the eligible entity to participate in the youth apprenticeship program, such as incentives for costs related to program development, staffing for mentors and supervisors, provision of academic or related integrated instruction, or the establishment of an industry or sector partnership or a consortium of small and medium-sized businesses to support participation of employers; and (iv) how public and private funds that are not provided under the award will be leveraged— (I) to assist with the establishment, maintenance, and sustainability of the youth apprenticeship program; and (II) to support the youth apprenticeship program in a cost-effective manner; and (C) for an eligible entity proposing a youth apprenticeship program in an occupation that is hazardous or detrimental for minors, a description of how the entity will ensure compliance with applicable Federal and State labor laws regarding the employment of minors, including laws relating to such an occupation and the requirements for the apprentice exemption and, as applicable, the student-learner exemption, and ensure the safety of youth apprentices, especially those under the age of 18, which— (i) shall include appropriate safety instruction at the high school and at the workplace; (ii) may include modifying on-the-job training, including delaying or reordering training components or acquisition of competencies while youth apprentices are under the age of 18; and (iii) may include modifying related integrated instruction to include modified practical training to promote the safe training of youth apprentices. (d) Selection criteria For an eligible entity to receive an award under this section, the entity and the entity’s proposed youth apprenticeship program shall meet such selection criteria as the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall establish under this section, including— (1) the qualifications, demonstrated capacity, or potential of the eligible entity, including the partners of the eligible entity, for developing and carrying out a successful, inclusive, youth apprenticeship program that leads to success in high-skill, high-wage careers in in-demand industry sectors or occupations; (2) the extent to which the eligible entity proposes to coordinate activities among the partners of the eligible entity to carry out a youth apprenticeship program; (3) criteria related to— (A) geographic diversity, such as urban, suburban, and rural populations served; and (B) innovative partnerships, targeted industries, or occupations; and (4) such other criteria as the Secretary determines necessary. (e) Priority and distribution (1) Priority In making awards under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to an eligible entity— (A) proposing to serve a high number or high percentage of participants who are members of non-traditional apprenticeship populations; and (B) providing opportunities in high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand industry sectors or occupations. (2) Geographic distribution In making awards under this subsection, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, ensure a geographically diverse distribution of such awards, including a geographically diverse distribution among regions of the United States and among urban, suburban, sparsely populated, and rural areas. (f) Use of funds An eligible entity that receives an award under this section shall use the funds to— (1) carry out activities described in subsection (c)(2)(B)(i); (2) carry out the youth apprenticeship program, in accordance with the youth apprenticeship agreement, except that no funds shall be used for wages for youth apprentices; and (3) carry out activities described in (c)(2)(B)(iii), except that the eligible entity may not use more than 5 percent of the funds for these activities. (g) Administration An eligible entity that receives an award under this section— (1) may use not more than 10 percent of the funds made available for administration of the youth apprenticeship program; (2) shall designate the partner that will serve as the fiscal agent for purposes of the award; and (3) shall leverage public and private funds that are not provided through the award to assist with the establishment, maintenance, and sustainability of the youth apprenticeship program. (h) Program share (1) In general The program share shall be 75 percent of the cost described in subsection (a). (2) Non-program share (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an eligible entity may provide the non-program share of the cost described in subsection (a)— (i) from Federal sources not made available under this Act, or non-Federal, public, or private organizations; and (ii) in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated. (B) Cap on federal funds Not more than 25 percent of the non-program share of the cost described in subsection (a) may be made from Federal sources not made available under this Act. (3) Increase in program share Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary may increase the program share if the eligible entity demonstrates that exceptional circumstances prevent the entity from providing 25 percent of the cost described in subsection (a)— (A) such as demonstrating that the entity serves a high proportion of participants who members of non-traditional apprenticeship populations; or (B) due to exceptional or uncontrollable circumstances, such as a natural disaster or a precipitous and unforeseen decline in the financial resources of the eligible entity. (i) Performance (1) In general Not later than 1 year after receipt of the award under this section, as applicable, and annually thereafter, the eligible entity shall submit a report to the Secretary evaluating the performance and impact of the youth apprenticeship program that, at minimum, includes program data on levels of performance achieved with respect to performance indicators described in section 116(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Workforce Innovation and Improvement Act (29 U.S.C. 3141(b)(2)(A)(ii)) as applicable, by participants in the program, disaggregated by— (A) race; (B) ethnicity; (C) sex; (D) disability; and (E) membership in any of the special populations, as defined in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302). (2) Disaggregation The disaggregation of data under paragraph (1)— (A) shall be completed without reporting personally identifiable information about an individual participant; and (B) by any subgroup listed in subparagraph (A) through (E) of paragraph (1), shall not be required in the case where the number of participants in a subgroup is insufficient to yield statistically reliable information or the results would reveal personally identifiable information about an individual participant. (j) Intangible property Any new work created wholly or in part with funds made available under an award made under this section shall— (1) be in a format readily accessible and available for open licensing to the public consistent with part 2900 of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation); and (2) meet, at a minimum, conformance to Level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 of the Web Accessibility Initiative (or any successor guidelines). (k) Information and referral (1) In general An eligible entity that receives an award under this section shall provide information to youth described in paragraph (2) regarding adult-serving apprenticeship programs in the National Apprenticeship System, and may refer such youth for possible participation in such programs. (2) Eligible youth A youth is described in this paragraph if the youth— (A) is not enrolled in school; (B) does not have a regular high school diploma or (for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities) the State-defined alternate diploma; (C) does not intend to reenroll in secondary school; and (D) seeks to participate in an apprenticeship program in the National Apprenticeship System. (l) Special rule No award shall be made under this section for a youth apprenticeship program in an occupation that is hazardous or detrimental for minors for which an apprentice exemption or, as applicable, a student-learner exemption, does not apply. (m) Definitions In this section: (1) Apprentice exemption The term apprentice exemption means the exemption described in section 570.50(b) of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation). (2) Occupation that is hazardous or detrimental for minors The term occupation that is hazardous or detrimental for minors means an occupation described in subpart E of part 570 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation). (3) Student-learner exemption The term student-learner exemption means the exemption described in section 570.50(c) of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation). III General provisions 301. Administration and technical assistance (a) Funds for administration and technical assistance Of amounts made available under section 286(s)(2)(A)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(s)(2)(A)(ii)) to carry out this Act, the Secretary may use a portion of not more than 7 percent for— (1) administration of the program carried out under this Act; (2) provision of technical assistance, including the dissemination of resources, tools, and promising practices, to improve program outreach, information, and performance; and (3) evaluation of the program, as described in subsection (b), including data collection. (b) Evaluation (1) Evaluation For the purpose of improving the management and effectiveness of the program carried out under this Act, not later than 2 years after the first award of funds under this Act is made, the Secretary (acting through the Chief Evaluation Officer of the Department of Labor), in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall— (A) design and conduct an evaluation to evaluate the effectiveness of the program carried out under this Act; and (B) conduct or commission studies to examine ways to expand education and workforce development opportunities for youth, including youth from low-income backgrounds, and youth who are members of nontraditional apprenticeship populations, to learn about and participate in initiatives that result in the receipt of recognized postsecondary credentials and advance the careers of youth in in-demand industry sectors and occupations and emerging industry sectors and occupations. (2) Report Not later than 60 days after the completion of the final evaluation report under paragraph (1) by the Secretary, the Secretary shall transmit the final evaluation report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives. (c) Other secretarial responsibilities (1) Information dissemination The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education shall jointly develop and disseminate information, in user-friendly formats and easily accessible languages as determined by the Secretaries, to State and local workforce development boards, State educational agencies and local educational agencies, State vocational rehabilitation agencies, industry networks, parent and teacher associations, and student networks to— (A) promote alignment between youth apprenticeship programs funded under this Act and requirements for a regular high school diploma or (for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities) the State-defined alternate diploma; (B) promote a better understanding of the national apprenticeship system, youth apprenticeships, and the value of the apprenticeships in high schools and postsecondary education and career pathways; (C) promote the benefits of the youth apprenticeship programs and ways to effectively align— (i) requirements for youth apprenticeship programs, including related integrated instruction and training in skills and competencies for occupations suitable for apprenticeship; and (ii) regular high school diploma requirements or (for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities) State-defined alternate diploma requirements, and requirements for career and technical education programs, dual and concurrent enrollment programs, and early college high school programs; and (D) promote ways to facilitate transitions, for students who have completed youth apprenticeships, to full-time employment in a high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand industry sector or occupation, programs at institutions of higher education leading to an associate, baccalaureate, or advanced degree, or a combination of employment and continued postsecondary education. (2) Educational alignment The Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary of Education, shall promote activities designed to strengthen alignment between programs under the national apprenticeship system, programs of education and training, and programs of secondary, postsecondary, and adult education, including degree and credential requirements. 302. Conforming amendments Section 286(s)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(s)(2)) is amended— (1) in the paragraph heading, by inserting youth apprenticeships and after fees for ; and (2) by striking all that follows the paragraph heading and inserting the following: (A) In general A sum equal to 50 percent of the amounts deposited into the H–1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account shall remain available to the Secretary of Labor until expended for— (i) grants for job training and related activities described in section 414(c) of the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 3224a); and (ii) youth apprenticeship awards and administration described in title II and section 301 of the Youth Apprenticeship Advancement Act. (B) Allocation The Secretary of Labor shall use not less than $100,000,000, subject to availability, of the sum described in subparagraph (A) for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2029 for awards described in subparagraph (A)(ii). .