Sec. 102. Promoting integration with postsecondary education
1,089 words·~5 min read·
/bill/113/hr/5533/ih/section-102A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
In this section: The term consortium means the Registered Apprenticeship-College Consortium established under subsection (b)(1). The term Secretaries means the Secretary of Labor, acting through the Administrator, working jointly with the Secretary of Education, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education. The Secretaries shall establish and maintain a voluntary Registered Apprenticeship-College Consortium. The Consortium shall consist of the sponsors carrying out registered apprenticeship programs, 2- or 4-year postsecondary educational institutions, and organizations that represent such programs or institutions, that agree to meet certain criteria in order to support the purposes described in paragraph (2).
The Consortium shall support the purposes of— promoting stronger connections between the registered apprenticeship programs involved and participating 2- and 4-year postsecondary educational institutions; promoting the translation of experience in a registered apprenticeship program to academic credit at participating 2- and 4-year postsecondary educational institutions; facilitating the enrollment of an individual who has completed a registered apprenticeship program (referred to in this section as an apprentice ) at a participating 2- or 4-year postsecondary educational institution for the purpose of attaining academic credit toward an associate’s or more advanced degree; advancing the attainment of associate’s and more advanced degrees by apprentices; promoting the attainment of recognized postsecondary credentials with value in the labor market; and expanding awareness about the value of registered apprenticeship programs as a postsecondary education option.
The Secretaries shall establish criteria that any interested 2- or 4-year postsecondary educational institution or sponsor shall meet in order to participate in the Consortium, which criteria shall include, at a minimum— for a 2- or 4-year postsecondary educational institution— agreement to recognize the academic credit (as assessed under subparagraph (B)(i)) earned by an apprentice for, and the assessment of the apprentice’s learning in, a registered apprenticeship program at another participating institution; agreement to develop a formal articulation agreement with a participating sponsor of a registered apprenticeship program, other than a 2- or 4-year postsecondary educational institution; and agreement to provide certain information, as determined by the Secretaries, to the Consortium; and for a sponsor— agreement to participate in third-party evaluations of the quality and rigor of the program offerings in order to determine the value of academic credit for learning during a registered apprenticeship program; agreement to develop a formal articulation agreement with a participating 2- or 4-year postsecondary educational institution; and agreement to provide certain information, as determined by the Secretaries, to the Consortium.
In order to participate in the Consortium, interested 2- or 4-year postsecondary educational institutions and sponsors shall agree to meet certain conditions determined by the Secretaries. Such conditions shall address, at a minimum— how learning during a registered apprenticeship program, including related instruction and on-the-job training, will be assessed for academic credit; how programs and procedures, especially those related to admissions, credit transfer, and recognition of such learning will be structured to support accessibility for apprentices; how the structure and scheduling of courses will be developed in a way that supports the matriculation of apprentices; and how residency requirements will be modified to support the transferability of credit earned by apprentices.
The Secretaries shall maintain a publicly accessible website identifying, at a minimum— the participating members of the Consortium in each State, including those with established articulation agreements; a model for articulation agreements, and copies of some exemplary articulation agreements for illustrative purposes; and such other information as the Secretaries determine to be necessary to promote awareness of the Consortium and its members. The Secretaries shall establish an advisory committee for the Consortium.
The advisory committee shall be composed of members appointed by the Secretaries, consisting of— representatives of 2- or 4-year postsecondary educational institutions; representatives of sponsors; and a representative from the Advisory Committee described in section 101(d). Members of the advisory committee shall serve for a term of 2 years. Such advisory committee shall seek input from organizations and experts representing industry, labor, and postsecondary education, and shall make recommendations to the Consortium and the Secretary regarding actions necessary to achieve the objectives of this subsection.
The members of the advisory committee shall not receive compensation for the performance of services for the committee, but shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Committee. Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary may accept the voluntary and uncompensated services of members of the advisory committee.
Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the advisory committee. The Secretaries shall use 30 percent of the funds appropriated under subsection
(c)to establish and maintain the Consortium and the website referred to in paragraph (5), to support the advisory committee referred to in paragraph (6), and for technical assistance, evaluation, and research activities. The Secretaries shall use 70 percent of the appropriated funds to carry out, directly or by grant or contract with an eligible entity, activities consisting of— providing funding to Consortium participants to support the development of articulation agreements with other Consortium participants; providing funding to the Consortium to support the assessment of learning during a registered apprenticeship program, for academic credit; providing funding to the Consortium to support third-party assessments of the quality and rigor of program offerings, referred to in paragraph (3)(B)(i); providing curriculum development, for participating institutions and sponsors; and carrying out other purposes that will help participating 2- and 4-year postsecondary educational institutions and sponsors meet the requirements of paragraphs
(3)and (4). To be eligible to receive a grant or contract under subparagraph (B), an entity shall be a partnership comprised of— at least one 2- or 4-year postsecondary educational institution participating in the Consortium; and at least one sponsor of a registered apprenticeship program participating in the Consortium. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2015. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section for each fiscal year subsequent to fiscal year 2015 the amount determined under subparagraph
(B)for the fiscal year involved. The amount referred to in subparagraph
(A)for a fiscal year shall be determined by multiplying— the amount authorized under this subsection for the preceding fiscal year; by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers during the annual interval immediately preceding the date on which the determination is made.