(1) The talent program, in collaboration with the talent board, may partner with one or more of the following to facilitate and encourage apprenticeship opportunities and work-based learning opportunities for Utah students: (a) the State Board of Education; (b) the Utah system of higher education; or (c) a participating employer in the state. (2) Subject to appropriations from the Legislature and in accordance with the proposal process and other provisions of this section, the talent board, in coordination with the talent program, may provide funding for approved apprenticeship opportunities and work-based learning opportunities. (3) To receive funding under this section, an entity described in Subsection (1) seeking to partner with the talent program shall submit a proposal through the talent program, in a form approved by the talent program and in accordance with deadlines determined by the talent program, that contains the following elements: (a) the proposal shall include: (i) a description of the proposed apprenticeship program or work-based learning program that demonstrates the program will be: (A) responsive to the workforce needs of a high demand industry or occupation; and (B) a partnership between at least one participating employer and at least one public high school, technical college, or institution of higher education; (ii) an estimate of: (A) student enrollment in the program; (B) what school credit, credentials, certifications, or other workforce attainments will be provided by the program; and (C) job-placement rates for students who complete the program; (iii) a description of any financial contributions or in-kind contributions that will be provided by each participating employer in the program; (iv) if the program would require state board approval under the provisions of Section 53H-3-603, evidence that the state board has approved the program; and (v) the amount of funding requested for the program, including justification for the funding; and (b) while not required, a preference may be given to a proposal that includes: (i) a description of a stackable credentialing pathway for participating students that will be created by the program between at least two of the following: (A) a public high school; (B) a technical college; and (C) an institution of higher education; or (ii) the potential for participating students to obtain full-time employment with the participating employer upon completion of the program. (4) The talent board shall review and prioritize each proposal received and determine whether the proposal should be funded, using the following criteria: (a) the quality and completeness of the elements of the proposal described in Subsection (3)(a); (b) the quality of the optional elements of the proposal described in Subsection (3)(b); (c) to what extent the proposal would expand the capacity to meet state or regional workforce needs; and (d) other relevant criteria as determined by the talent board. (5) A partnership that receives funding under this section: (a) shall use the money to accomplish the proposed apprenticeship program or work-based learning program; (b) may use the money to offset a participating employer's direct operational costs associated with employing students as part of an approved apprenticeship program or work-based learning program; (c) except as provided in Subsection (5)(d), may not use the money for educational administration; and (d) may use the money to support one full-time employee within a career and technical education region if: (i) each participating local education agency, public high school, technical college, and institution of higher education agree on which entity will house the full-time employee; (ii) the full-time employee spends all of the employee's time working exclusively to develop apprentice programs or work-based learning programs; and (iii) the full-time employee is responsible for regular reporting to and receiving training from the director of the talent program. (6) The talent program shall be responsible for the administration of apprenticeship programs and work-based learning programs described in this section, including: (a) working with and providing technical assistance to the participating partners that establish apprentice programs and work-based learning programs and that receive funding under the provisions of this section; (b) establishing reporting requirements for participating partners that establish apprentice programs and work-based learning programs and that receive funding under the provisions of this section; (c) providing outreach and marketing to encourage more employers to participate; and (d) annually reporting on the activities, successes, and challenges of the talent program related to administering apprentice programs and work-based learning programs for inclusion in the report described in Section 53H-13-304, including: (i) specific entities that received funding under this section; (ii) the amount of funding provided to each entity; and (iii) the number of participating students in each apprentice program and work-based learning program. (7) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the talent program may make rules regarding: (a) the method and deadlines for applying for funding under this section; (b) the distribution of funding under this section; and (c) the reporting requirements of each entity receiving funding under this section. Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 8, 2025 Special Session 1
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