BILL REQ. #:  H-0252.1 

Read first time 01/14/2003.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to creating associate degree pathways for apprentices; adding a new section to chapter 49.04 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28B.50 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that:
     (1) Apprenticeships are very rigorous and highly structured programs with specific academic and work training requirements;
     (2) There is a misperception that apprenticeships are only for noncollege bound students; and
     (3) The state should expand opportunities for individuals to progress from an apprenticeship to college by creating pathways that build on the apprenticeship experience and permit apprentices to earn an associate degree.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 49.04 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) An apprenticeship committee may recommend to the apprenticeship council that an associate degree pathway be developed for the committee's program.
     (2) In consultation with the state board for community and technical colleges, the council shall consider the extent apprentices in the program are likely to pursue an associate degree and the extent a pathway could reduce redundancy of course requirements between the apprenticeship and a degree.
     (3) If the council determines that a pathway would be beneficial for apprentices and assist them in obtaining an associate degree, the council shall request that a pathway be established by a community or technical college as provided in section 3 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 28B.50 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) At the request of an apprenticeship committee and the state apprenticeship council pursuant to section 2 of this act, the community or technical college providing apprentice-related and supplemental instruction for an apprenticeship program shall develop an associate degree pathway for the apprentices in that program.
     (2) In developing a pathway, the community or technical college shall ensure, to the extent possible, that related and supplemental instruction is credited toward the associate degree and that related and supplemental instruction and other degree requirements are not redundant.
     (3) If multiple community or technical colleges provide related and supplemental instruction for a single apprenticeship committee, the colleges shall work together to create consistent requirements for the pathway.
     (4) The community or technical college shall complete development of a pathway within six months of receiving a request.