Expanding Opportunity through Pre-Apprenticeships Act
This bill establishes a pre-apprenticeship program to (1) assist individuals who do not meet minimum qualifications for an apprenticeship program; and (2) prepares such individuals to enter and succeed in such an apprenticeship program, including by providing the skills and competency attainment needed to enter an apprenticeship program.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8339 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8339
To expand opportunities for pre-apprenticeships programs.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 22, 2020
Ms. Fudge (for herself and Mr. Cardenas) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To expand opportunities for pre-apprenticeships programs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Expanding Opportunity through Pre-
Apprenticeships Act''.
SEC. 2. PRE-APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM STANDARDS.
(a) In General.--In this Act, a ``pre-apprenticeship program''
means a program--
(1) designed to--
(A) assist individuals who do not meet minimum
qualifications for an apprenticeship program; and
(B) prepares such individuals to enter and succeed
in such an apprenticeship program, including by
providing the skills and competency attainment needed
to enter the apprenticeship program; and
(2) that meets the requirements described in subsections
(b) and (c).
(b) Requirements.--The program--
(1) is carried out in partnership with at least one sponsor
of an apprenticeship program;
(2) demonstrates the existence of an active advisory
partnership with an industry or sector partnership to inform
the training and education services necessary for a pre-
apprenticeship program;
(3) demonstrates evidence of sufficient openings in an
apprenticeship program at the completion of a pre-
apprenticeship program to support a transition from a pre-
apprenticeship to an apprenticeship;
(4) has strategies in place with apprenticeship programs
that will increase employment opportunities for individuals
with barriers to employment and create a diverse talent
pipeline, such that, upon completion of a pre-apprenticeship
program, they will meet the entry requirements for success in
such programs;
(5) has plans in place, either directly or through
partnerships, to provide supportive services to pre-
apprentices, to support the recruitment, retention, and
completion of the program;
(6) provides hands-on training to participants, when
possible, that does not supplant the work of a full-time, paid
employee but accurately simulates the occupational conditions
of a partnering apprenticeship program, with proper supervision
and safety protocols; and
(7) provides a certificate of completion by the State
apprenticeship agency, awarded to each individual who completes
the program requirements set forth by the plan sponsor.
(c) Written Plan Requirements.--The program includes a written plan
developed by the sponsor that--
(1) provides for work-based learning in which an industry
or sector partnership and a related instruction provider
collaborate to provide training that will introduce
participants to the skills, competencies, and materials used in
one or more apprenticeable occupations;
(2) is based on and aligned with national, State, regional,
or local industry standards for high-skill, high-wage, or in-
demand industry sectors or occupations and the requirements of
the related apprenticeship program;
(3) ensures all individuals have an equal opportunity to
participate in the program, as required by section 30 of title
29, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of
enactment of this Act), and that the program will provide
adequate and safe equipment, environments, and facilities for
training and supervision, free from discrimination (including
harassment and retaliation);
(4) ensures the program has remote instruction contingency
plans, if feasible, including providing educational technology
that aids in regular and substantive interactions between pre-
apprentice and classroom instructor;
(5) provides training and professional development for
instructors and staff to use technology and services, including
for remote instruction;
(6) to the extent appropriate and practicable includes
enabling an individual to attain a secondary school diploma or
its recognized equivalent, and at least 1 recognized
postsecondary credential; and
(7) includes activities designed for career exposure,
career planning, and career awareness.
SEC. 3. EVALUATION.
(a) Performance Data Collection.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary
of Labor shall collect data on--
(1) the performance of each pre-apprenticeship program
using the disaggregated indicators of performance in section
116(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
(29 U.S.C. 3141(b)(2)(A)(i)), including participants who are
people of color, women, veterans, those who have been impacted
by the youth or adult criminal justice system, and individuals
with barriers to employment between the ages of 16 and 24;
(2) how each such program spends resources; and
(3) the diversity and equal opportunity in apprenticeships
programs.
(b) Research and Plan for Expansion of Participation of Certain
Populations.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of Labor, acting through the Administrator of the
Office of Apprenticeship, shall use the collected data to conduct
research in State labor markets, in partnership with State
apprenticeship agencies, to create a plan, on the basis of such
research, to expand participation in registered pre-apprenticeship
programs by nontraditional populations or individuals with barriers to
employment such as youth, women, people of color, long-term unemployed,
individuals with disabilities, individuals with substance abuse issues,
individuals impacted by the criminal justice system, and veterans.
SEC. 4. GRANTS.
(a) In General.--From the amounts appropriated to carry out this
section, the Secretary of Labor shall award grants, on a competitive
basis, to eligible entities.
(b) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary
shall give priority to eligible entities that serve a high number or
high percentage of individuals who are from nontraditional
apprenticeship populations (with priority given to women, people of
color, veterans, those who have been impacted by the juvenile or adult
criminal justice system, and individuals with barriers to employment
between the ages of 16 and 24).
(c) Application.--To receive a grant under this section, an
eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary
determines may be necessary.
(d) Limitation on Use of Funds.--No less than 5 percent of the
funds awarded under this section shall be used to provide direct
financial assistance to pre-apprentices to support financial needs to
enter, remain enrolled in, and complete the apprenticeship program
including, related costs of training, supplies, food and nutrition,
housing, transportation, child care, mental health and substance abuse
services, or other targeted costs deemed allowable by the Secretary.
(e) Eligible Entities Defined.--In this section, an ``eligible
entity'' includes--
(1) a community-based organization;
(2) a pre-apprenticeship sponsor;
(3) an employer for an in-demand industry sector or
occupation;
(4) a joint labor-management training program; or
(5) a partnership among community-based organizations,
public education entities, and apprenticeships.
(f) Uses of Funds.--A grant awarded under this section to an
eligible entity may be used to carry out one or more of the following:
(1) To provide technical assistance to pre-apprentices to
help navigate supportive services and other Federal assistance
programs (such as the supplemental nutrition assistance program
under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et
seq.) to enter and remain enrolled in apprenticeship programs.
(2) To conduct and improve outreach to nontraditional
apprenticeship population.
(3) To participate in pre-apprenticeship programs.
(4) To facilitate a successful transition between pre-
apprenticeship programs and apprenticeship programs.
SEC. 5. ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Apprenticeship program.--The term ``apprenticeship
program'' means an apprenticeship program registered under the
Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the ``National
Apprenticeship Act''; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50
et seq.), including any requirement, standard, or rule
promulgated under such Act, as such requirement, standard, or
rule was in effect on December 30, 2019.
(2) Nontraditional apprenticeship population.--The term
``nontraditional apprenticeship population'' means a group of
individuals (such as a group of individuals from the same
gender or race) the members of which comprise fewer than 25
percent of the individuals participating in a program under the
national apprenticeship system.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Labor.
(4) WIOA terms.--The terms ``community-based
organization'', ``in-demand industry sectors or occupations'',
``individual with a barrier to employment'', ``recognized
postsecondary credential'', and ``supportive services'' have
the meanings given the terms in section 3 of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
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