This law makes youth apprenticeship a top priority for the Division of Apprenticeship Standards in California. It aims to enhance existing state apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs to better connect youths with career opportunities. The goals include establishing a framework for youth apprenticeships, increasing educational institutions offering these programs, and boosting the number of youth who complete them and move on to jobs or further education. Additionally, the law seeks to improve coordination with current programs to benefit young people.

This law requires the Chief of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards to form a committee focused on expanding youth apprenticeships in California. The committee will include diverse representatives like youth organizations, labor, and education institutions. Their task is to recommend ways to develop youth and high school apprenticeships, follow guiding principles of the Youth Apprenticeship Grant Program, and suggest improvements. They must report their findings by July 1, 2024, to be shared with relevant legislative committees.

The Youth Apprenticeship Grant Program in California is designed to provide funding for creating or enhancing apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs to help young people who face various social and economic challenges. Grants are not applicable to building and construction trades programs. Services are mainly delivered through community organizations with experience in working with target groups. The program collaborates with state agencies to align its efforts with existing programs. Eligible applicants for grants include schools, workforce boards, and other educational and workforce-related organizations. Grant recipients must adhere to 'high road principles,' which focus on fair labor practices and sustainable development. The target population for these programs includes young individuals from 16 to 24 years of age who are either at risk or are disconnected from traditional education or work, including those facing issues like poverty or involvement in the juvenile justice system. The program will only be implemented if the legislature allocates enough funding.

This law outlines how grant funds can be used for apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs. Funds can be directed toward instructing and training apprentices, setting up the programs, and managing projects. The law also includes costs for necessary equipment, uniforms, and fees such as those for graduation or unions. Additionally, it covers mental health services and support services like child care.

This section outlines what information needs to be included in a grant proposal. It requires details about the organization's ability to serve its target population, which includes young people aged 16 to 24 who are at risk or disconnected from education and employment. The proposal also has to specify the industries and career pathways targeted, and how the project will achieve its goals. Additionally, it must comply with extra requirements specified by the division. If the proposal involves firefighter training programs, specific conditions must be met and directions followed.

This law introduces the Youth Apprenticeship Grant Program, focusing on fairness and equality for diverse groups of California's youth. It aims to ensure that factors like race, income, or gender don't determine young people's success. To achieve this, grant recipients must collect and report data on various demographics such as race, gender, and income. They also need to analyze this data alongside labor and enrollment statistics to check if opportunities are equal across different groups, comparing this with graduation rates in schools and colleges.

This law explains how grant recipients, particularly those involved in apprenticeship programs, must be monitored and audited to ensure they're using the grant funds correctly. Recipients must provide data to show they are meeting the program's objectives. If they're found to misuse funds or violate rules, this can impact the associated apprenticeship program, and necessary actions may be taken, including stopping the funding. Additionally, any misuse of funds or improper acquisition of grant funds leads to ineligibility for future funding.