Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands the national apprenticeship program to include registered apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeship programs.

Highlights:

• Establishes statutory authority for the registered apprenticeship program and the Office of Apprenticeship (OA) within the Department of Labor and specifies that the OA's responsibilities include the following (Title I, Subtitle A, Sec. 111):

• Supporting the development of apprenticeship models;

• Recognizing qualified state apprenticeship agencies, and operating apprenticeship offices in states without a recognized agency;

• Providing technical assistance to state agencies;

• Periodically updating requirements for each occupation in the apprenticeship program and determining whether to approve new occupations for the program;

• Promoting greater diversity in the national apprenticeship system; and

• Awarding grants provided under this bill.

• Specifies the following responsibilities of state apprenticeship agencies and offices, including (Title I, Subtitle A, Sec. 111):

• Providing technical assistance to stakeholders and resolving complaints; and

• Establishing state performance goals, and including a description of how its apprenticeship programs align with the skills needs of the state's employers.

• Requires OA to enter into an agreement with the Department of Education to promote the integration and alignment of apprenticeship programs with secondary, postsecondary, and adult education (Title I, Subtitle A, Sec. 114).

• Authorizes the OA to award grants to eligible entities to accomplish the following, including (Title II, Sec. 201):

• Expand national apprenticeship system programs, including by expanding pre-apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship programs;

• Encourage employer participation; and

• Strengthen alignment between the apprenticeship system and education providers.

• Establishes the following statutory authority for criteria for various programs, including (Title II, Subtitle B, Sec. 122):

• Quality standards for apprenticeships;

• Requirements for apprenticeship agreements between a program sponsor and an apprentice; and

• Acceptable uses for grant funds awarded under this bill.

• Appropriates the following amounts in fiscal years 2022-2026 for State Apprenticeship Agencies (SAA) and State Apprenticeship Offices (Title II, Subtitle B, Sec. 113):

• $75 million for fiscal year 2022;

• $85 million for fiscal year 2023;

• $95 million for fiscal year 2024;

• $105 million for fiscal year 2025; and

• $115 million for fiscal year 2026.

• Appropriates the following amounts in fiscal years 2022-2026 for National Apprenticeship Grant programs (Title II, Subtitle B, Sec. 204):

• $400 million for fiscal year 2022;

• $500 million for fiscal year 2023;

• $600 million for fiscal year 2024;

• $700 million for fiscal year 2025; and

• $800 million for fiscal year 2026.

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text