Commissioner of apprenticeship programs

(1) There is created the position of commissioner of apprenticeship programs within the department. (2) The commissioner shall be appointed by the executive director and chosen from one or more recommendations provided by a majority vote of the State Workforce Development Board. (3) The commissioner may be terminated without cause by the executive director. (4) The commissioner shall: (a) promote and educate the public, including high school guidance counselors and potential participants in apprenticeship programs, about apprenticeship programs, youth apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship programs offered in the state, including apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship programs offered by private sector businesses, trade groups, labor unions, partnerships with educational institutions, and other associations in the state; (b) coordinate with the department and other stakeholders, including union and nonunion apprenticeship programs, the Office of Apprenticeship, the State Board of Education, the Utah System of Higher Education, the Department of Commerce, the Division of Professional Licensing, and the Governor's Office of Economic Development to improve and promote apprenticeship opportunities in the state; and (c) provide an annual written report to: (i) the department for inclusion in the department's annual written report described in Section 35A-1-109; (ii) the Economic and Community Development Appropriations Subcommittee; and (iii) the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee. (5) The annual written report described in Subsection (4)(c) shall provide information concerning: (a) the number of available apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship programs in the state; (b) the number of apprentice participants in each program; (c) the completion rate of each program; (d) the cost of state funding for each program; and (e) recommendations for improving apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship programs.