,i #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #hcci ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,september #bb1 #bjbj,ms4 ,fudge 7for herself and ,mr4 ,crdenas7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,education and ,labor ,a ,,bill ,to expand opportunities for pre-apprenticeships programs4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,expanding ,opportunity through ,pre-,apprenticeships ,act4 #b4 ,pre-apprenticeship program standards 7a7 ,in general ,in this ,act1 a pre-apprenticeship program means a program-- 7#a7 designed to-- 7,a7 assist individuals who do not meet minimum qualifications for an apprenticeship program2 and 7,b7 prepares such individuals to enter and succeed in such an apprenticeship program1 including by providing the skills and competency attainment needed to enter the apprenticeship program2 and 7#b7 that meets the requirements described in subsections 7b7 and 7c74 7b7 ,requirements ,the program-- 7#a7 is carried out in partnership with at least one sponsor of an apprenticeship program2 7#b7 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 program2 7#c7 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 apprenticeship2 7#d7 has strategies in place with apprenticeship programs that will increase employment opportunities for individuals with barriers to employment and create a diverse talent pipeline1 such that1 upon completion of a pre-apprenticeship program1 they will meet the entry requirements for success in such programs2 7#e7 has plans in place1 either directly or through partnerships1 to provide supportive services to pre-apprentices1 to support the recruitment1 retention1 and completion of the program2 7#f7 provides hands-on training to participants1 when possible1 that does not supplant the work of a full-time1 paid employee but accurately simulates the occupational conditions of a partnering apprenticeship program1 with proper supervision and safety protocols2 and 7#g7 provides a certificate of completion by the ,state apprenticeship agency1 awarded to each individual who completes the program requirements set forth by the plan sponsor4 7c7 ,written plan requirements ,the program includes a written plan developed by the sponsor that-- 7#a7 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 skills1 competencies1 and materials used in one or more apprenticeable occupations2 7#b7 is based on and aligned with national1 ,state1 regional1 or local industry standards for high-skill1 high-wage1 or in-demand industry sectors or occupations and the requirements of the related apprenticeship program2 7#c7 ensures all individuals have an equal opportunity to participate in the program1 as required by section #cj of title #bi1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7as in effect on the date of enactment of this ,act71 and that the program will provide adequate and safe equipment1 environments1 and facilities for training and supervision1 free from discrimination 7including harassment and retaliation72 7#d7 ensures the program has remote instruction contingency plans1 if feasible1 including providing educational technology that aids in regular and substantive interactions between pre-apprentice and classroom instructor2 7#e7 provides training and professional development for instructors and staff to use technology and services1 including for remote instruction2 7#f7 to the extent appropriate and practicable includes enabling an individual to attain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent1 and at least #a recognized postsecondary credential2 and 7#g7 includes activities designed for career exposure1 career planning1 and career awareness4 #c4 ,evaluation 7a7 ,performance data collection ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary of ,labor shall collect data on-- 7#a7 the performance of each pre-apprenticeship program using the disaggregated indicators of performance in section #aaf7;b77#b77;,a77i7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cada7;b77#b77;,a77i771 including participants who are people of color1 women1 veterans1 those who have been impacted by the youth or adult criminal justice system1 and individuals with barriers to employment between the ages of #af and #bd2 7#b7 how each such program spends resources2 and 7#c7 the diversity and equal opportunity in apprenticeships programs4 7b7 ,research and plan for expansion of participation of certain populations ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,labor1 acting through the ,administrator of the ,office of ,apprenticeship1 shall use the collected data to conduct research in ,state labor markets1 in partnership with ,state apprenticeship agencies1 to create a plan1 on the basis of such research1 to expand participation in registered pre-apprenticeship programs by nontraditional populations or individuals with barriers to employment such as youth1 women1 people of color1 long-term unemployed1 individuals with disabilities1 individuals with substance abuse issues1 individuals impacted by the criminal justice system1 and veterans4 #d4 ,grants 7a7 ,in general ,from the amounts appropriated to carry out this section1 the ,secretary of ,labor shall award grants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible entities4 7b7 ,priority ,in awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that serve a high number or high percentage of individuals who are from nontraditional apprenticeship populations 7with priority given to women1 people of color1 veterans1 those who have been impacted by the juvenile or adult criminal justice system1 and individuals with barriers to employment between the ages of #af and #bd74 7c7 ,application ,to receive a grant under this section1 an eligible entity shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary determines may be necessary4 7d7 ,limitation on use of funds ,no less than #e percent of the funds awarded under this section shall be used to provide direct financial assistance to pre-apprentices to support financial needs to enter1 remain enrolled in1 and complete the apprenticeship program including1 related costs of training1 supplies1 food and nutrition1 housing1 transportation1 child care1 mental health and substance abuse services1 or other targeted costs deemed allowable by the ,secretary4 7e7 ,eligible entities defined ,in this section1 an eligible entity includes-- 7#a7 a community-based organization2 7#b7 a pre-apprenticeship sponsor2 7#c7 an employer for an in-demand industry sector or occupation2 7#d7 a joint labor-management training program2 or 7#e7 a partnership among community-based organizations1 public education entities1 and apprenticeships4 7f7 ,uses of funds ,a grant awarded under this section to an eligible entity may be used to carry out one or more of the following3 7#a7 ,to provide technical assistance to pre-apprentices to help navigate supportive services and other ,federal assistance programs 7such as the supplemental nutrition assistance program under the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq47 to enter and remain enrolled in apprenticeship programs4 7#b7 ,to conduct and improve outreach to nontraditional apprenticeship population4 7#c7 ,to participate in pre-apprenticeship programs4 7#d7 ,to facilitate a successful transition between pre-apprenticeship programs and apprenticeship programs4 #e4 ,additional definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,apprenticeship program ,the term apprenticeship program means an apprenticeship program registered under the ,act of ,august #af1 #aicg 7commonly known as the ,national ,apprenticeship ,act2 #ej ,stat4 #ffd1 chapter #ffc2 #bi ,u4,s4,c4 #ej et seq471 including any requirement1 standard1 or rule promulgated under such ,act1 as such requirement1 standard1 or rule was in effect on ,december #cj1 #bjai4 7#b7 ,nontraditional ,apprenticeship ,population ,the term nontraditional apprenticeship population means a group of individuals 7such as a group of individuals from the same gender or race7 the members of which comprise fewer than #be percent of the individuals participating in a program under the national apprenticeship system4 7#c7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,labor4 7#d7 ,,wioa terms ,the terms community-based organization1 in-demand industry sectors or occupations1 individual with a barrier to employment1 recognized postsecondary credential1 and supportive services have the meanings given the terms in section #c of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb74