NC S597

Transfers administration of the state apprenticeship program from the Department of Commerce to the North Carolina Community Colleges System Office as a Type I transfer effective July 1, 2017.

Renames the program "ApprenticeshipNC" and transfers all related functions, powers, duties, obligations, resources, and appropriations to the Community Colleges System Office.

Establishes that the State Board of Community Colleges appoints the Apprenticeship Council and Director of ApprenticeshipNC, replacing the Secretary of Commerce in these roles.

Appropriates $350,000 in recurring Workforce Investment Act funds from the Department of Commerce to the Community Colleges System Office for the 2017-2019 fiscal biennium and an additional $500,000 in recurring General Fund appropriations for the 2017-2018 fiscal year.

Requires the Department of Commerce to submit a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act State Plan amendment to the United States Department of Labor designating the Community Colleges System Office as the state agency responsible for administering ApprenticeshipNC.