Previous Policy - 7.8.1 Overview

7.8.1 Overview

Effective date: September 2, 2019

Revised date: January 20, 2020

Under WIOA, registered apprenticeship programs are automatically eligible to be included on the state's ETPL because of the extensive vetting process they undergo to become registered.¹ Sponsors of registered apprenticeship programs operating within the state must be informed of their automatic eligibility to be included on the state's ETPL and must be able to join with minimal burden.² A registered apprenticeship program can only be added to the state's ETPL if the program sponsor has consented to its inclusion on the list.³

Note: Automatic eligibility does not apply to pre-apprenticeship programs ⁴ or non-registered apprenticeships.⁵ Such programs must adhere to the state's initial and continued eligibility requirements.⁶

The state must develop and implement a procedure addressing how it will contact all registered apprenticeship program sponsors within the state, inform them of their automatic ETPL eligibility privileges, and let them know how to communicate their consent to have their programs placed on the ETPL.⁷ The procedure must be developed in coordination with the state's director within the federal Office of Apprenticeship or the state's apprenticeship agency – if the state directly oversees its registered apprenticeship programs.⁸ As part of the procedure, the state must also decide how frequently it will identify newly registered programs; DOL recommends that this be done at least quarterly or bi-annually.⁹

A registered apprenticeship program remains on the ETPL as long as it is registered;¹⁰ however it will be removed when:

the program sponsor notifies the state it wishes to have the program removed;¹¹
it is determined that the program sponsor committed a substantial violation;¹²

OR
the sponsor and/or the provider of the classroom component of the program becomes suspended or debarred from participating in federal programs or activities.¹³

The state must verify the registration status of each registered apprenticeship program on the state's ETPL at least every two years.

The local WDBs and their service providers can use an Individual Training Account (ITA) to fund the occupational skills training (i.e., classroom) portion of a registered apprenticeship program listed on the ETPL.¹⁴

¹20 CFR §§ 680.330, 680.450(b) and 680.470(a); TEGL 08-19 Attachment I, p. I-3
²20 CFR § 680.470(a); TEGL 08-19 Attachment I, pp. I-3 to I-4
³20 CFR § 680.470(a); TEGL 08-19 Attachment I, p. I-4
⁴81 FR 56118-56119
⁵81 FR 56075
⁶20 CFR § 680.470(f); 81 FR 56140; 81 FR 56118-56119
⁷20 CFR § 680.470(a); TEGL 08-19 Attachment I, p. I-4
⁸20 CFR § 680.470(a)
⁹TEGL 41-14, p. 9. DWD-DET is including this citation to TEGL 41-14 as the information referenced is not contained in TEGL 08-19.
¹⁰20 CFR § 680.470(b)(1)
¹¹20 CFR § 680.470(b)(2)
¹²20 CFR § 680.470(b)(3)
¹³20 CFR § 683.200(d); 2 CFR 180.300
¹⁴20 CFR §§ 680.330(a)(2) and 680.470(d)

Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Effective date: September 2, 2019

A "pre-apprenticeship program" is a program that is designed to prepare individuals for entry and success in a registered apprenticeship program. The program must include the following elements:

a partnership with one or more registered apprenticeship programs that helps with placing those who successfully complete the program in a registered apprenticeship program;
an opportunity to attain at least one industry-recognized credential;
training/curriculum that aligns with the skill needs of employers in the economy of the state or region involved;
direct or indirect access to educational and career counseling and other supportive services;
and
hands-on, meaningful learning activities that are connected to education and training activities (e.g., exploring career options and understanding how skills acquired through coursework can be applied toward a future career).

20 CFR §§ 680.330(a) and 681.480

Individual Training Account

Effective date: September 2, 2019

An Individual Training Account (ITA) is the payment the local WDB or its service provider makes, on behalf of a participant, to a training institution for training services, when the institution and the program of interest are included on the State's Eligible Training Programs List (ETPL).

20 CFR § 680.300