HOUSE BILL REPORT

2SSB 5236

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.

As Reported by House Committee On:

College & Workforce Development

Title: An act relating to encouraging apprenticeships.

Brief Description: Encouraging apprenticeships.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Keiser, Conway, Wellman, Braun, Saldaña, Hasegawa, Wilson, C., Kuderer, Takko, Das and Frockt).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

College & Workforce Development: 3/19/19, 3/27/19 [DP].

Brief Summary of Second Substitute Bill

Requires the Department of Labor and Industries to employ a coordinator, and for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Department of Health to work with the coordinator, to conduct outreach and assist in establishing registered apprenticeship programs in public education and the health care industry.
Adds hours of work and instruction as a registered apprentice to the definition of "prior learning" for purposes of the Academic Credit for Prior Learning work group, and adds members to the work group.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COLLEGE & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 16 members: Representatives Hansen, Chair; Entenman, Vice Chair; Leavitt, Vice Chair; Van Werven, Ranking Minority Member; Gildon, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Graham, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bergquist, Mead, Paul, Pollet, Ramos, Rude, Sells, Slatter, Sutherland and Young.

Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 1 member: Representative Kraft.

Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).

Background:

Registered Apprenticeships.

Apprenticeship programs combine on-the-job training and classroom instruction that typically leads to a credential, certification, or journey-level status in a particular trade or profession. The Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council (WSATC), which is part of the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), establishes standards for and approves apprenticeship programs. The Director of the L&I appoints a supervisor of apprenticeship who acts as the Secretary of the WSATC and, among other things, conducts compliance reviews and registers apprenticeship agreements.

Academic Credit for Prior Learning.

Academic credit for prior learning is awarded when a student's prior learning is assessed and determined to be the equivalent of specific college course outcomes, and when awarding credit is consistent with the policies of the institution.

In 2012 the Legislature directed the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) to convene an Academic Credit for Prior Learning (ACPL) work group to increase the number of students who receive academic credit for prior learning.

Academic credit for prior learning, for the purposes of the work group, means the knowledge and skills gained through: (1) work and life experience; (2) military training and experience; and (3) formal and informal education and training from in-state and out-of-state institutions including foreign institutions.

Members of the ACPL work group include representatives of: the WSAC; the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; the Council of Presidents; faculty from institutions of higher education; business and labor; and private career schools. The work group must provide progress reports by December 31 each year.

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Summary of Bill:

Subject to amounts appropriated, the L&I must, through the supervisor of apprenticeship, employ a coordinator to conduct outreach and assist in establishing registered apprenticeship programs where they do not exist in public education and the health care industry. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Department of Health must consult with the coordinator to do outreach and assist in establishing apprenticeship and training programs where they do not exist in public education and in the health care industry, respectively.

For purposes of academic credit for prior learning, the definition of "prior learning" is expanded to include the knowledge and skills gained through hours of work and instruction as a registered apprentice.

Two representatives from licensed health care professions and one representative from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor are added to the ACPL work group.

The date the WSAC must issue annual progress reports is changed from December 31 to December 10.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Preliminary fiscal note available.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The apprenticeship model is unique and allows students to earn wages while learning. It is important to establish apprenticeship pathways in public education and in health care industries. There are paraeducators who can become certified bilingual teachers. It makes sense to add licensed health professionals to the work group.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Senator Keiser, prime sponsor; and Melissa Gombosky, Washington State Dental Association.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.