Qualified apprenticeship intermediary grant program - creation - application process - data

(1) On or before January 1, 2025, the department shall establish the qualified apprenticeship intermediary grant program to support entities that demonstrate expertise in connecting employers or apprenticeship program participants to registered apprenticeship programs or in convening stakeholders to develop registered apprenticeship programs. (2) The department shall: (a) Create an application process through which it selects grant recipients to participate in the grant program, with the goal of expanding apprenticeship programs, diversifying participants in apprenticeship programs, and diversifying geographic distribution of apprenticeship programs, especially in high-priority, high-demand industries, while ensuring quality standards; (b) Select and prioritize grant program recipients based on: (I) An applicant's record of success in supporting job seekers, apprentices, employers, and sponsors; (II) The regional diversity of the areas served by an applicant; (III) The diversity of populations served by an applicant; and (IV) How the registered apprenticeship programs served by the applicant meet talent needs in high-priority, high-demand industries; (c) Outline performance expectations for grant recipients participating in the grant program; and (d) Collect data concerning the grant program that includes: (I) The number of employers benefiting from the grant program; (II) The number of apprentices benefiting from the grant program; (III) The demographics of the apprentices served by the grant recipients; (IV) A description of the services provided by the grant recipient; (V) The names of the registered apprenticeship programs and occupations impacted by the services provided by the grant recipient; and (VI) Any other information deemed appropriate by the department. (3) Grant recipients shall not use money from the grant program for apprentice wages.