HB 711 Summary

• Creates the Earn and Learn Grant Program within the Department of Education to fund development and expansion of preapprenticeship and apprenticeship programs at school districts, public postsecondary institutions, and charter technical career centers in targeted industries.

• Appropriates $50,000 in recurring funds for program administration and $6.7 million in recurring funds for grants to eligible institutions for fiscal year 2018-2019.

• Establishes the Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion within the Department of Economic Opportunity with 15 members representing business, labor, education, and government organizations, tasked with submitting recommendations by March 1, 2019.

• Sets minimum requirements for funded programs including technical coursework leading to industry certification, workforce readiness skills instruction, recruitment of underrepresented groups, and maintenance of student academic transcripts and employment history records.

• Task force to examine issues including skill shortages in targeted industries, gender and ethnic enrollment imbalances, curriculum articulation across education levels, public awareness of career opportunities, and potential tax credits for employers hiring apprentices.