Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Committee

HB 2685

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Promoting preapprenticeship opportunities for high school students.

Sponsors: Representatives Ortiz-Self, Harris, Santos, Johnson, Caldier, Dolan, Ormsby, Valdez, Steele, Frame, Jinkins, Bergquist, Doglio, McBride, Sells, Tarleton and Pollet.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in consultation with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council, to examine opportunities for promoting preapprenticeship opportunities for high school students and report to the Governor and the Legislature by November 1, 2018.

Hearing Date: 1/22/18

Staff: Megan Wargacki (786-7194).

Background:

An apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training under the supervision of journey-level workers and requires a certain number of instructional hours, usually at a community or technical college. Apprenticeships can last from one to six years. During the apprenticeship, apprentices are paid lower wages than journey level workers.

The Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council (WSATC), which is part of the Department of Labor and Industries, establishes apprenticeship program standards, approves apprenticeship training programs, and otherwise governs the programs. Employers may partner with an approved apprenticeship program to offer apprenticeships, or develop its own apprenticeship program that is approved by the WSATC.

In 2017, there were about 160 active apprenticeship programs and over 16,000 active apprenticeships in Washington.

Apprenticeship preparation programs, also called preapprenticeship programs, are education-based programs that focus on educating and training students to meet or exceed minimum qualifications for entry into apprenticeship programs upon graduation. These programs must be endorsed by one or more registered apprenticeship sponsors, and must be approved by the WSATC.

Summary of Bill:

Subject to funding by the Legislature, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), in consultation with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and the WSATC, must examine opportunities for promoting preapprenticeship opportunities for high school students.

By November 1, 2018, the OSPI must solicit input from persons and organizations with an interest or relevant expertise in preapprenticeship programs, apprenticeship programs, or both, and provide a report to the Governor and Legislature that includes recommendations for:

"Institution of higher education" is defined to mean community or technical colleges, public tribal colleges, and Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Washington State University, and The Evergreen State College. It does not include University of Washington or Western Washington University, or private colleges.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 17, 2018.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.