Source: http://wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=HB4428%20SUB%20ENG.htm&yr=2018&sesstype=RS&i=4428
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 13:32:32+00:00

Document:
A Bill to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §21-1E-1, §21-1E-2, §21-1E-3, §21-1E-4 and §21-1E-5; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new article designated §30-1E-1, §30-1E-2, §30-1E-3 and §30-1E-4, all relating to requiring standards and procedures for recognizing career technical training acquired in public schools, apprenticeships and training programs toward occupational testing, certification and/or licensure; establishing purpose and intent; providing definitions; requiring rules providing standards and procedures be proposed by Commissioner of Labor and by licensing boards and commissions; providing for creation of lists of existing apprenticeships, certifications and other credentials that reflect existing workforce needs and for dissemination to high school students; and requiring Commissioner of Labor rule to include guidelines for collection and dissemination in manner easily accessible to both students and their parents.
ARTICLE 1E. CAREER TRAINING EDUCATION AND APPRENTICESHIPS.
The provisions of this article are intended to facilitate certification and/or licensure for workers who acquire training via career technical education provided by West Virginia public schools or an employer-sponsored apprenticeship and employer-sponsored training programs.
“Apprentice” means someone working in an occupation under the supervision and control of at least one person who holds a certificate of competency and qualification in that occupation.
“Apprenticeship program” means a program offered by an employer to provide supervised on-the-job training to employees approved by the United States Department of Labor.
“Employer sponsored training program” means a program approved in accordance with a rule promulgated by the commissioner of labor.
"License" means a valid and current license issued by the Commissioner of Labor in accordance with the provisions of this article.
“Career technical education” means programs of study, clusters, and pathways approved by the West Virginia Board of Education pursuant to state board policy.
§21-1E-3. Recognition of training and apprenticeships.
Beginning July 1, 2019, applicants for certification or licensure shall be permitted to apply training hours earned via career technical education provided by West Virginia public schools or an employer-sponsored apprenticeship or employer-sponsored training program towards the requirements for certification and/or licensure in the same occupation in accordance with the standards and procedures authorized in accordance with this article.
§21-1E-4. Career and technical education information for high school students.
(a) The Department of Labor shall coordinate with the State Board of Education and the Commerce Department to create a list of existing apprenticeships throughout the state, as well as a list of certifications and other credentials that reflect current workforce needs, in order to educate and prepare high school students regarding career and technical education (CTE) opportunities and careers following graduation.
(2) The EDGE program, established by §18-3-1 et seq. of this code, which provides the opportunity for the student to obtain dual credits that count toward the high school graduation requirements, as well as to count toward the student’s achievement of a certificate or Associate Degree.
(3) A list of apprenticeships created pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
(4) A list of certificates and credentials created pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
(5) Details regarding enlistment and opportunities within the armed forces, including local recruiter contact information.
(1) Standards and procedures for recognizing training hours acquired career technical education provided by West Virginia public schools and applying those hours to requirements for testing and/or certification and/or licensure.
(2) Standards and procedures for recognizing training hours acquired through employer-sponsored apprenticeship and employer-sponsored training programs applying those hours to requirements for testing and/or certification and/or licensure.
(3) After conferring with the State Board of Education, guidelines for collection and dissemination of information collected pursuant to §21-1E-4 in a manner easily accessible to both students and their parents.
“Employer-sponsored training program” means a program approved in accordance with a rule promulgated by the commissioner of labor.
"License" means a valid and current license issued by a regulatory board or commission in this chapter.
§30-1E-3. Recognition of training and apprenticeships.

References: §21
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 §30
 §30
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§21

§21
 §18
 §21

§30