2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 26: LABOR AND INDUSTRY › Chapter 37: REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP › 26 §3213. Preapprenticeship training programs

§3213. Preapprenticeship training programs
1.  Application; eligibility.
A sponsor may apply with the Maine Apprenticeship Program for review and certification of a preapprenticeship training program.
[PL 2021, c. 705, §12 (NEW).]
2.  Eligibility.
To be eligible for certification, a preapprenticeship training program must:
A. Meet the requirements of this section and any rules adopted by the department under this section;   [PL 2021, c. 705, §12 (NEW).]
B. Have a documented outreach plan to increase registered apprenticeship opportunities for underrepresented, disadvantaged or low-skilled individuals and members of historically marginalized communities;   [PL 2021, c. 705, §12 (NEW).]
C. Conform to standards identified by the United States Department of Labor for a quality framework for preapprenticeship;   [PL 2021, c. 705, §12 (NEW).]
D. Comply with state and federal law regarding equal employment opportunity in apprenticeship and training;   [PL 2021, c. 705, §12 (NEW).]
E. Have a training program and curriculum based on industry standards and approved by the Maine Apprenticeship Program, upon recommendation by the Maine Apprenticeship Council, that will prepare individuals with the skills and competencies needed to enter a registered apprenticeship program;   [PL 2021, c. 705, §12 (NEW).]
F. Have supervised hands-on training and workplace safety training; and   [PL 2021, c. 705, §12 (NEW).]
G. Have a formalized agreement with a registered apprenticeship sponsor that enables preapprenticeship graduates to enter directly into a registered apprenticeship program and includes articulation agreements for earning credit for skills and competencies already acquired.   [PL 2021, c. 705, §12 (NEW).]
[PL 2021, c. 705, §12 (NEW).]
3.  Certification.
The Maine Apprenticeship Program shall review an application for certification of a preapprenticeship training program and shall give a preapprenticeship training program that meets the standards for certification a provisional certification for a period of one year. The Maine Apprenticeship Program shall review a preapprenticeship training program for quality and conformity with the requirements of this section at the end of the first year after certification. A program that conforms to the requirements may have its provisional certification made permanent or may continue to be provisionally certified through the first full training cycle.
[PL 2021, c. 705, §12 (NEW).]
4.  Evaluation.
The Maine Apprenticeship Program shall evaluate the performance of a certified preapprenticeship training program. The evaluation must include:
A. An assessment of the preapprenticeship training program's educational content;   [PL 2021, c. 705, §12 (NEW).]
B. A review of the preapprenticeship training program's compliance with state and federal law regarding equal employment opportunity in apprenticeship and training;   [PL 2021, c. 705, §12 (NEW).]
C. A review of the preapprenticeship training program's efforts to achieve equity goals for recruitment and training of preapprentices from historically marginalized communities; and   [PL 2021, c. 705, §12 (NEW).]
D. A summary of completion rates and rates of enrollment in and graduation from registered apprenticeship programs following completion of the preapprenticeship training program.   [PL 2021, c. 705, §12 (NEW).]
[PL 2021, c. 705, §12 (NEW).]
5.  Decertification.
The Maine Apprenticeship Program may decertify a preapprenticeship training program upon a finding of reasonable cause or by request of the program.
[PL 2021, c. 705, §12 (NEW).]
6.  Funding.
As funds are available, the Maine Apprenticeship Program, through the department, shall make available grants to support preapprenticeship training programs under this section. A preapprenticeship training program shall use the grants to provide meaningful support and stipends to facilitate enrollment and participation in the program. Support may include funding for child care, transportation, training materials and reimbursement of other expenses that may be incurred by a student to facilitate the student's attendance and participation in the program. Stipends may include cash payments. In allocating grants among preapprenticeship training programs, the Maine Apprenticeship Program shall give priority to programs that have demonstrated successful enrollment of students from historically marginalized communities.
[PL 2021, c. 705, §12 (NEW).]
7.  Rulemaking.
The department shall adopt routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A to implement the provisions of this section.
[PL 2021, c. 705, §12 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2021, c. 705, §12 (NEW).