In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Grant” means an apprenticeship incentive grant that is awarded to an apprenticeship sponsor under this subtitle. “Grant recipient” means a person or entity that receives a grant under this subtitle. “Program” means the Apprenticeship Incentive Program.

The Maryland Department of Labor in collaboration with the State Superintendent of Schools and the Secretary of Higher Education may establish a program of school–to–work transition grants, to be known as the “Youth Apprenticeship Program”. Funds for the program shall be as provided by the Governor in the annual budget.

A grant may be awarded under this subtitle to: An employer or consortium of employers; An industrial trade association; A trade union; A registered apprenticeship sponsor; or A combination of the entities specified in items (1) through (4) of this subsection. A grant recipient shall use the grant in an apprenticeship training program that is: A registered apprenticeship program approved by the Apprenticeship and Training Council within the Maryland Department of Labor; A youth apprenticeship program approved by the State Superintendent of Schools that involves students attending the public schools of the State; or A youth apprenticeship program approved by the Secretary of Juvenile Services that involves clients of the Department of Juvenile Services. The Secretary of Labor may ensure that the youth apprenticeship programs approved under this subtitle: Foster the expansion of structured, school–to–work transition programs that link secondary school applied learning experiences with: Skilled, high wage, workplace jobs and professions; and Postsecondary technical and occupational work experiences; Foster enrollment in apprenticeship programs that target youth, including general education degree recipients; Foster enrollment of inexperienced, unskilled, first time hires in long–term programs leading to a credential in emerging, technology based occupations that are projected as high growth areas in the State economy; and Support the development of competency based instructional programs that encompass secondary and postsecondary institutions and are based on specific skill standards that are identified by the industry through accepted models.

The Maryland Department of Labor, after consultation with the Advisory Board and interested potential grant recipients, may establish guidelines for the review and evaluation of grant proposals and the selection of grant recipients. During the month of January each year, the Maryland Department of Labor may issue a request for proposals inviting interested persons to submit grant proposals for participation in the program for the fiscal year that begins on July 1 of that year. Grant proposals may be received and reviewed by the Department only during the period between the date of the issuance of the request for proposals under paragraph (1) of this subsection and May 31 of that year. The Maryland Department of Labor may evaluate grant proposals on a competitive basis and shall approve only proposals that it determines are of high quality and likely to fulfill the goals and objectives of the program. Following a review of all grant proposals received during the period specified under subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary of Labor may announce the grant recipients for the fiscal year that begins on July 1 of that year.

If a Youth Apprenticeship Program is established under the authority granted under this subtitle, the Secretary of Labor may: Determine the amount that is needed to fund the grants awarded under this subtitle; and Submit this information to the Department of Budget and Management for inclusion in the annual budget.

The Maryland Department of Labor may require that each grant recipient have a matching requirement for the amount of the grant that is awarded to the recipient under this subtitle. The grant recipient may include in the amount that is calculated as its match under subsection (a) of this section the costs of personnel, equipment, and materials it incurs in the training program for the students it enrolls.

The grant recipient may use the grant for: The development of competency based instructional programs that incorporate industry skills and that are based on generally accepted models within the industry; The development of performance assessment systems that are tied to industry standards that demonstrate mastery of skills with a formal credential; The coordination of work site and on–the–job training; and To the extent not provided by the educational institution attended by the student or by any other entity, the costs of tuition, books, fees, and materials used in the training program. Funds for the costs of the administration of the program shall be as provided by the Governor in the annual budget. The grant recipient shall: Submit periodic reports to the Secretary of Labor summarizing its activities under the program; Meet and consult with the Secretary about the program; and Make available to the Secretary for inspection, the recipient’s books, accounts, and other records associated with the program at such times as are mutually agreed upon by the parties.

The Maryland Department of Labor may establish a Youth Apprenticeship Program Advisory Board. The Advisory Board shall include: The Secretary of Labor; The State Superintendent of Schools; The Secretary of Higher Education; The chair of the Maryland Business Roundtable, or the chair’s designee; The President of the Maryland AFL–CIO, or the President’s designee; The chair of the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council, or the chair’s designee; The chair of the Partnership for Workforce Quality Advisory Board, or the chair’s designee; The chair of the Vocational Education Advisory Council, or the chair’s designee; The chair of the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, or the chair’s designee; The chair of the Maryland Association of Community Colleges, or the chair’s designee; One member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate; and One member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House. The Advisory Board shall, from time to time, review the program and advise the Secretary of Labor, the State Superintendent of Schools, and the Secretary of Higher Education about matters regarding the program.

The Secretary of Labor, in collaboration with the State Superintendent of Schools and the Secretary of Higher Education, may adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this subtitle.