53H-13-312. Statewide Youth Apprenticeship Governance Council -- Creation -- Membership -- Duties -- Reporting.

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Effective 5/6/2026

(1)There is created the Statewide Youth Apprenticeship Governance Council to strengthen collaboration across agencies, create system alignment, and ensure shared accountability for developing and sustaining youth apprenticeship programs in the state.

(2)The youth apprenticeship council is composed of the following members:

(a)the director of the talent program or the director's designee;

(b)the state superintendent of public instruction or the superintendent's designee;

(c)the commissioner or the commissioner's designee;

(d)the executive director of the Department of Workforce Services or the executive director's designee;

(e)the executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development or the executive director's designee;

(f)three representatives from industry who have experience in apprenticeship or work-based learning programs, appointed by the talent board;

(g)one representative from a local education agency, appointed by the State Board of Education;

(h)one representative from an institution of higher education, appointed by the board; and

(i)any additional individuals the youth apprenticeship council determines necessary to fulfill the council's duties.

(3)The youth apprenticeship council shall select a chair and vice chair from among the members of the youth apprenticeship council.

(4)The youth apprenticeship council shall meet at least quarterly.

(5)Attendance of a majority of the members of the youth apprenticeship council constitutes a quorum for the transaction of official youth apprenticeship council business.

(6)Formal action by the youth apprenticeship council requires the majority vote of a quorum.

(7)A member of the youth apprenticeship council:

(a)may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service; and

(b)who is not employed by the state may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:

(i)Section 63A-3-106 ;

(ii)Section 63A-3-107 ; and

(iii)rules made by the Division of Finance in accordance with Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107 .

(8)The youth apprenticeship council shall:

(a)clarify and define the roles and responsibilities of state agencies involved in youth apprenticeship programs to:

(i)minimize duplication of efforts; and

(ii)ensure aligned action across the talent program, the State Board of Education, the board, and the Department of Workforce Services;

(b)develop and maintain:

(i)a statewide operational definition of youth apprenticeship; and

(ii)shared program quality standards to ensure local education agencies, institutions of higher education, and participating employers are aligned on a consistent program model;

(c)coordinate cross-agency implementation structures by:

(i)establishing regular cross-agency meetings;

(ii)creating operational team structures; and

(iii)developing decision-making processes to support consistent and coordinated implementation statewide;

(d)establish communication roles and protocols to:

(i)define how agencies coordinate communication efforts;

(ii)assign messaging responsibilities;

(iii)identify appropriate communication channels and processes; and

(iv)ensure consistency and avoid conflicting or duplicative outreach to students, families, local education agencies, and employers;

(e)develop and recommend statewide strategies for:

(i)student incentives to support participation in youth apprenticeship programs; and

(ii)employer incentives to encourage engagement in youth apprenticeship programs;

(f)implement unified performance monitoring and integrated data systems by:

(i)developing shared performance measures; and

(ii)coordinating a data strategy to track participation, outcomes, and long-term system impact;

(g)develop coordinated communication and phased statewide implementation plans that:

(i)establish consistent messaging across agencies;

(ii)establish statewide priorities for which industry sectors to prioritize; and

(iii)use workforce data and analysis of high-wage, in-demand careers to inform prioritization; and

(h)perform other duties as directed by the talent board to support the development and sustainability of youth apprenticeship programs in the state.

(9)The talent program shall provide staff support to the youth apprenticeship council.

(10)The youth apprenticeship council shall report to the talent board:

(a)on the activities and progress of the youth apprenticeship council; and

(b)no less than twice each calendar year.

(11)No later than November 1, 2027, the youth apprenticeship council shall submit a written report to the Education Interim Committee and the Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee that includes:

(a)recommendations on statewide funding needs for youth apprenticeship programs;

(b)recommendations on employer incentive structures; and

(c)a comprehensive statewide action plan for expanding youth apprenticeship opportunities.

Enacted by Chapter 355 , 2026 General Session