Section § 3100

Explanation

This law sets up a process for approving preapprenticeship programs in California, which are designed to prepare individuals for entry into apprenticeship programs. By January 1, 2019, the Division of Apprenticeship Standards was tasked with creating an approval process for these programs.

Preapprenticeship programs must partner with registered apprenticeship programs and submit specific documentation, such as agreements showing support and potential placement of graduates. To qualify for approval, these programs need to provide industry-standard training, offer recruitment and support for underrepresented groups, and align with workforce development plans.

The programs should also provide hands-on training, ensure safe working practices, and potentially offer advanced standing in apprenticeship programs for graduates. Program approval lasts for three years and must be renewed based on success in achieving these goals.

(a)CA Labor Code § 3100(a) On or before January 1, 2019, the Division of Apprenticeship Standards shall develop a process to approve preapprenticeship programs for purposes of establishing eligibility for any state programs.
(b)Copy CA Labor Code § 3100(b)
(1)Copy CA Labor Code § 3100(b)(1) A program seeking approval as a preapprenticeship program shall submit to the Division of Apprenticeship Standards a request for approval, on a form developed by the division.
(2)CA Labor Code § 3100(b)(2) The request for approval shall include documentation evidencing that the program’s preapprenticeship training activities are conducted in partnership with one or more apprenticeship programs approved by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards. Valid documentation for purposes of this section shall include a copy of a memorandum of understanding or other formal written agreement that does all the following:
(A)CA Labor Code § 3100(b)(2)(A) Verifies the apprenticeship program’s support for the preapprenticeship program.
(B)CA Labor Code § 3100(b)(2)(B) Gives priority but not a guarantee to preapprenticeship graduates for acceptance into the apprenticeship program.
(C)CA Labor Code § 3100(b)(2)(C) Makes a commitment as to the number of preapprenticeship graduates that may be accepted into the apprenticeship program.
(c)CA Labor Code § 3100(c) To qualify for approval, a preapprenticeship program shall include the following elements:
(1)CA Labor Code § 3100(c)(1) Training and curriculum based on industry standards and approved by the documented registered apprenticeship program partner or partners that will prepare individuals with the skills and competencies needed to enter one or more registered apprenticeship programs.
(2)CA Labor Code § 3100(c)(2) Strategies that increase registered apprenticeship opportunities for underrepresented, disadvantaged, or low-skilled individuals, such that, upon completion, those individuals will meet the entry requirements, gain consideration, and be prepared for success in one or more registered apprenticeship programs. These strategies include any of the following:
(A)CA Labor Code § 3100(c)(2)(A) Strong recruitment efforts focused on outreach to populations underrepresented in local, state, and national registered apprenticeship programs.
(B)CA Labor Code § 3100(c)(2)(B) Educational and prevocational services that prepare individuals to meet the entry requisites of one or more registered apprenticeship programs, such as specific career and industry awareness workshops, job readiness courses, English for speakers of other languages, adult basic education, financial literacy seminars, and mathematics tutoring.
(C)CA Labor Code § 3100(c)(2)(C) Exposing participants to local, state, and national registered apprenticeship programs and providing direct assistance to participants applying to those programs.
(D)CA Labor Code § 3100(c)(2)(D) Facilitating access to appropriate support services during both the preapprenticeship program and a significant portion of the registered apprenticeship program.
(E)CA Labor Code § 3100(c)(2)(E) Efforts to sustain the ongoing partnership between the preapprenticeship program and registered apprenticeship program partner or partners, including collaborative efforts that promote alignment with the California Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Unified Strategic Workforce Development Plan and use of the registered apprenticeship program as a preferred means for employers to develop a skilled workforce and create career opportunities for individuals.
(F)CA Labor Code § 3100(c)(2)(F) Providing physical preparedness training for jobs where physical ability and endurance are key elements of success.
(G)CA Labor Code § 3100(c)(2)(G) Providing training on safe working practices where applicable to the job.
(H)CA Labor Code § 3100(c)(2)(H) Providing hands-on training to individuals in a simulated lab experience or through volunteer opportunities that accurately simulate industry and occupational conditions while observing proper supervision and safety protocols, provided that such experience and opportunities do not supplant or reduce the compensable work of paid employees.
(I)CA Labor Code § 3100(c)(2)(I) Providing for automatic acceptance or priority credits for acceptance into apprenticeship programs of individuals who have successfully completed the preapprenticeship program, and when applicable, giving advance credit in the apprenticeship program for skills and competencies already acquired in the preapprenticeship program.
(d)CA Labor Code § 3100(d) Preapprenticeship programs shall be evaluated and approved based on a determination of the strengths of the elements described in subdivision (c), as demonstrated in the application.
(e)CA Labor Code § 3100(e) Approval of a preapprenticeship program shall expire in three years unless the program requests and obtains renewal of its approval by the division. Renewed approval shall be based on the program’s success in implementing the elements described in subdivision (c).