BILL REQ. #:  S-4428.3 

READ FIRST TIME 01/26/06.   

     AN ACT Relating to expanding opportunities for graduating secondary school students to enter apprenticeships; and adding new sections to chapter 49.04 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 49.04 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The legislature finds that it is in the public interest of the state to encourage and facilitate the formation of cooperative relationships between business and labor and educational institutions that provide for the development and expansion of programs of educational skills training consistent with employment needs.
(2) Further, the legislature finds that it is in the state's interest to make students aware of the educational training programs and career employment possibilities.
(3) Therefore, the following shall be implemented to expand opportunities for secondary school students to prepare for technical careers and related apprenticeships:
     (a) Centers of excellence and other colleges with a high density of apprenticeship programs shall act as brokers of relevant information and resources as provided for in section 2 of this act;
     (b) An educational outreach program coordinated by the Washington state apprenticeship and training council as provided for in section 3 of this act; and
     (c) The development of direct-entry programs for graduating secondary students, approved and overseen by the Washington state apprenticeship and training council as provided for in section 4 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 49.04 RCW to read as follows:
     Centers of excellence, as designated by the state board for community and technical colleges, and other colleges with a high density of apprenticeship programs, shall act as a broker of information and resources on available grants, scholarship opportunities, job openings, and industries of growth.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 49.04 RCW to read as follows:
     The Washington state apprenticeship and training council, in conjunction with individual state-approved apprenticeship training programs, shall lead and coordinate an educational outreach program for middle and secondary school students and educators about apprenticeship and career opportunities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 49.04 RCW to read as follows:
     The Washington state apprenticeship and training council shall approve and oversee direct-entry programs for graduating secondary students into building and construction-related apprenticeships by:
     (1) Assisting individual school districts in using and leveraging existing resources;
     (2) Developing guidelines with input from apprenticeship coordinators, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the state board for community and technical colleges, the work force training and education coordinating board, the governor's policy office, and other interested stakeholders for direct-entry programs; and
     (3) Awarding ten incentive grants to school districts statewide solely for personnel to negotiate and implement agreements with local apprenticeships based upon state apprenticeship use requirements, as described in RCW 39.04.320, to accept graduating secondary school students with appropriate training into apprenticeship programs.