(a) The West Virginia Legislature finds that there is a need for workers in jobs that vocational and technical centers presently train students for. To entice more students into programs offered by vocational and technical centers, there is hereby created the “West Virginia Technical Apprenticeship Program.” In this program, students may obtain both high school and college credit. Those students will receive hands on training that will ideally lead them into a job associated with the program they are in.

(b) One of the problems associated with students in vocational and technical programs is that once a student is hired, those students must start on their college degree before working, or while working. To solve this issue, a student in his or her junior year of high school may enroll in the West Virginia Technical Apprenticeship Program (alternatively referred to as “West Virginia TAP”). There may be jobs that already exist in a particular area, and West Virginia TAP can train students for those jobs. West Virginia TAP will strengthen the demographics for a particular skill set. By instituting this program, existing businesses may expand, and other companies may see the area that is producing ready-made workers, which may cause new businesses to move into an area.

(c) The West Virginia Legislature may provide financial assistance to vocational and technical programs, if such a need arises from the establishment of West Virginia Technical Apprenticeship Program. Companies may apply for grants to purchase the same type of equipment that those companies are presently using. The West Virginia Technical Apprenticeship Program, as well as the Executive Board of West Virginia TAP, shall seek out partnerships with companies in respective areas to engage them into this program. If a business participates, then that business shall provide a student with an interview upon successful completion of the program.

§18-34-2. Executive Board of the West Virginia Technical Apprenticeship Program established; duties.

There is hereby established the Executive Board of the West Virginia Technical Apprenticeship Program, which shall be comprised of the State Superintendent of Schools, the Chancellor of the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education, and the Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development or his or her designee. The Executive Board of the West Virginia Technical Apprenticeship Program shall:

(1) Determine standards for apprentice agreements between companies, vocational and technical centers, and community and technical colleges;

(2) Review decisions of agreements relating to apprenticeship disputes;

(3) Advise the West Virginia Board of Education on policies to coordinate apprenticeship-related instruction delivered by state and local public education agencies;

(4) Keep a record of apprenticeship agreements and their disposition;

(5) Issue certificates of completion upon the completion of the apprenticeship;

(6) Initiate deregistration proceedings when an apprenticeship program is not conducted, operated, and administered in accordance with the registered provisions;

(7) Establish policies governing the provision of apprenticeship-related instruction delivered by state and local public education agencies and provide for the administration and supervision of related and supplemental instruction for apprentices; and

(8) Perform such other duties as are necessary to carry out the intent of this article.

§18-34-3. Definitions.

As used in this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:

(a) “Apprenticeable occupation” means a skilled occupation having the following characteristics:

(1) It is customarily learned in a practical way through a structured systematic program of on-the-job supervised work experience;

(2) It is clearly identifiable and recognized throughout an industry;

(3) It involves manual, mechanical or technical skills which require on-the-job work experience of new apprenticeable trades not otherwise established; and

(4) It requires related instruction to supplement the on-the-job work experience.

(b) “Apprentice” means a person at least 16 years of age who is covered by a written agreement with an employer and approved by the Executive Board of the West Virginia Technical Apprenticeship Program. The agreement shall provide for an interview for full-time employment for such person, for his participation in the West Virginia TAP, and for the amount of related instruction required in the occupation.

(d) “Internship” means an agreement between an employer in WVTAP and a student in WVTAP for the student to have on the job training while not in school.

(e) “Program” means the particular industry-centered apprenticeship that a student has an interest in, such as in welding, machinist, mechanic, or otherwise.

§18-34-4. West Virginia Technical Apprenticeship Program established.

There is hereby established the West Virginia Technical Apprenticeship Program. Those students in their junior year of high school are eligible to begin the program. Students may seek out their counselor or appropriate school administrator to register for the program. Dependent upon the availability of industry programs available, that student shall be provided with appropriate courses at their local vocational and technical center to correspond with their field. Upon completion of the program at high school graduation, that student shall be awarded a certificate of completion, and shall also be eligible for an interview with the company associated with their program. Companies who hire students after their completion of the program shall be eligible for an associated tax credit, as defined in §18-34-6 of this code.

§18-34-5. Dual high school and college credit.

By participating in the West Virginia Technical Apprenticeship Program, a student shall be entitled to both high school credit and for college credit. The Executive Board of the West Virginia Technical Apprenticeship Program shall coordinate with the state board of education and the community and technical colleges to ensure their cooperation in the program.

§18-34-6. Tax credit for companies who participate; ARC grants for equipment.

(a) All companies who participate in the West Virginia Technical Apprenticeship Program shall be eligible for a tax credit equal to the amount of any donation given to the vocational and technical center for the purpose of training students through the West Virginia Technical Apprenticeship Program. Companies participating in this program are required to provide a student who has successfully completed the program with an interview, but not a job. To that end, a company who hires a student after their successful completion of the West Virginia Technical Apprenticeship Program shall be eligible for a 6-month payroll tax credit for each participating student that they hire. The Executive Board of the West Virginia Technical Apprenticeship Program shall coordinate with the West Virginia State Tax Department to the extent that is necessary to ensure this credit is applied to eligible companies.

(b) Companies who wish to donate machinery or equipment for the purpose of this program may also apply for an Appalachian Regional Commission grant in order to satisfy the costs associated with doing so. Companies may also obtain any appropriate tax write off for donating new or used equipment to vocational and technical centers for use in the program. The Executive Board of the West Virginia Technical Apprenticeship Program shall coordinate with the participating companies and vocational and technical centers to the extent necessary to facilitate any such grants or tax write offs.

§18-34-7. Internship opportunity for summer months.

Any student who participates in the West Virginia Technical Apprenticeship Program shall be eligible for an internship during the summer break for companies who are also participating in the program. The student shall have any time spent participating in the internship added towards their time allotment for completion of the program. The Executive Board of the West Virginia Technical Apprenticeship Program shall assist with the terms of the internship if assistance is needed.

§18-34-8. Terms of apprenticeship and internship defined.

A student who participates in the program shall have an agreement with the company with whom they are coordinating which clearly sets forth terms, expectations, training, and any other terms which the Executive Board of the West Virginia Technical Apprenticeship Program may require. A representative from the participating company may inform students of the company background, the type of work involved should a student be hired, and how training at the vocational and technical center that they undertake can better prepare them for work at that company. The Executive Board of the West Virginia Technical Apprenticeship Program shall ensure that the terms of any agreement are met by the student and by the employer.