BP BHEAD INT H [atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to work force training using the apprenticeship model; amending RCW 49.04.030; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that apprenticeship as a job training tool is one of the most effective in the state. The state is experiencing a shortage of skilled workers, especially in this period of economic growth. The most severe shortage is for workers with a postsecondary vocational credential.

Though apprenticeship as a training model is effective, it represents a very small portion of training that is currently taking place within the work force. It is the intent of the legislature to encourage and foster the greater use of the apprenticeship training model in new and emerging industries.

Sec. 2. RCW 49.04.030 and 1979 ex.s. c 37 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

Subject to the confirmation of the state apprenticeship council by a majority vote, the director of labor and industries shall appoint and deputize an assistant director to be known as the supervisor of apprenticeship. Under the supervision of the director of labor and industries and with the advice and guidance of the apprenticeship council, the supervisor shall: (1) Encourage and promote the making of apprenticeship agreements conforming to the standards established by or in accordance with this chapter, and in harmony with the policies of the United States department of labor; (2) encourage and promote apprenticeship opportunities in new and emerging occupations that have not traditionally used the apprenticeship training model to include outreach to employers and the community and technical college system; (3) act as secretary of the apprenticeship council and of state joint apprenticeship committees; ((~~(3)~~)) (4) when so authorized by the apprenticeship council, register such apprenticeship agreements as are in the best interests of the apprentice and conform to the standards established by or in accordance with this chapter; ((~~(4)~~)) (5) keep a record of apprenticeship agreements and upon performance thereof issue certificates of completion of apprenticeship; ((~~(5)~~)) (6) terminate or cancel any apprenticeship agreements in accordance with the provisions of such agreements; and who ((~~(6)~~)) (7) may act to bring about the settlement of differences arising out of the apprenticeship agreement where such differences cannot be adjusted locally or in accordance with the established trade procedure.

Related and supplemental instruction for apprentices, coordination of instruction with job experiences, and the selection and training of teachers and coordinators for such instruction shall be the responsibility of the ((~~commission for vocational education and its local recognized agency for vocational education~~)) state board for community and technical colleges. The director of labor and industries is authorized to appoint such other personnel as may be necessary to aid the apprenticeship council and the supervisor of apprenticeship in the execution of their functions under this chapter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1)(a) A joint legislative task force on new and emerging apprenticeships is established. The task force shall consist of up to fifteen members, as follows:

(i) Two members, one from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate;

(ii) Two members, one from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives, appointed by the co-speakers of the house of representatives;

(iii) Up to ten members representing business and labor, primarily from those occupations that have not traditionally used the apprenticeship model such as occupations in high tech industries. Members shall be appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the co-speakers of the house of representatives; and

(iv) One member who is an active participant in an apprenticeship program. The member shall be appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the co-speakers of the house of representatives.

(b) In addition, the work force training and education coordinating board, the department of labor and industries, the state board for community and technical colleges, and the higher education coordinating board shall cooperate with the joint legislative task force on new and emerging apprenticeships and maintain a liaison representative, who shall be a nonvoting member.

(c) The joint legislative task force on new and emerging apprenticeships shall choose its chair from among its membership.

(2) The joint legislative task force on new and emerging apprenticeships shall study the following issues:

(a) Barriers to the use of new and emerging apprenticeships;

(b) Incentives for developing training using the apprenticeship model;

(d) The distribution of program costs; and

(e) Identification of funding alternatives for providing training through the apprenticeship model.

(3) The joint legislative task force on new and emerging apprenticeships, where feasible, may consult with individuals from the public and private sector or ask such persons to establish an advisory committee.

(4) The joint legislative task force on new and emerging apprenticeships shall use legislative facilities and staff from senate committee services and the office of program research, but may hire additional staff with specific technical expertise if such expertise is necessary to carry out the mandates of this study. Each nonlegislative member of the task force shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. All expenses of the task force, including travel, shall be paid jointly by the senate and the house of representatives.

(5) The joint legislative task force on new and emerging apprenticeships shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2000.

(6) This section expires July 1, 2001.