§ 1601. Definitions
As used in this chapter:
(1) “Articulation agreement” means a written agreement between a secondary school and
a postsecondary institution or registered apprenticeship program specifying the responsibilities
for each party to the agreement with respect to student apprentices working towards
completion of a registered apprenticeship program or a postsecondary degree. The agreement
may include acceptance of a student apprentice into a registered apprenticeship program
or postsecondary school pending completion of a student apprenticeship program.
(2) “Industry competency standards” mean performance criteria developed jointly by educators
and business representatives and adopted by the State Board that define skills and
knowledge that are needed in the workplace.
(3) “Registered apprenticeship” means an apprenticeship or on the job training program
registered by the State Apprenticeship Council under 21 V.S.A. § 1102 in which a person enters into a contract to receive instruction and occupational
preparation in a trade, craft, or business from an employer and is provided wages
in consideration for services.
(4) “Student apprentice” means an individual, enrolled in a school, who is participating
in a student apprenticeship program approved by the regional advisory board and who
is employed in accordance with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.
(5) “Student apprentice coordinator” means a licensed professional educator whom the State
Board of Education finds qualified to plan, implement and evaluate a student apprenticeship
program.
(6) “Student apprenticeship program” means a skill-based education program that coordinates
and integrates classroom instruction with a structured, work-based learning experience.
An individual participating in a student apprenticeship program receives academic
instruction and training in a skilled occupation that prepares him or her for postsecondary
education, advanced training, or direct employment in a position higher than entry
level.
(7) “Worksite mentors” mean individuals employed by business and industry who have demonstrated
mastery of their craft or profession, who have been prepared to carry out the role
of student advisor, and who provide worksite learning experiences to student apprentices.
(8) “Worksite training” means the part of the apprenticeship program conducted at the
place of business or industry. (Added 1993, No. 155 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 17, 1994; amended 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 159, eff. Feb. 14, 2014.)
§ 1602. School board responsibilities
(a) A school board or its equivalent in any independent secondary school may establish
and operate a student apprenticeship program under this chapter when the school board
has received approval from the regional advisory board.
(b) Each school board that runs a student apprenticeship program shall:
(1) Employ a student apprenticeship coordinator who shall:
(A) Find student apprenticeship opportunities for students.
(B) Develop working relationships between the school and business community.
(C) Select safe and appropriate worksites for student apprentices.
(D) Work with businesses to identify worksite mentors.
(E) Select, adapt and use curricula to meet the academic and career technical education
needs of student apprentices.
(F) Quarterly, review each student’s performance and the suitability of the program to
the student’s needs. Report the results of the review to the regional advisory board
pursuant to section 1605 of this title.
(G) Annually, report to the regional advisory board concerning the effectiveness of the
program pursuant to section 1605 of this title.
(2) Ensure preparation of individuals employed by business to be worksite mentors according
to guidelines established by the State Board. Each participating business shall support
the preparation of the worksite mentor as a condition to participating in the student
apprenticeship program.
(3) Collaborate with and integrate the program with Vermont’s school-to-work system. (Added 1993, No. 155 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 17, 1994.)
§ 1603. Elements of the program
(a) An eligible student may apply to enter the student apprenticeship program upon successful
completion of grade 10 or its equivalent and meeting entrance requirements established
by the State Board of Education.
(b) A program may be up to four years in length and shall require both academic study
and work experience each program year. The program shall emphasize work-based learning,
applied academics, team teaching, and other strategies that will enable the student
apprentice to enter a postsecondary institution, a registered apprenticeship program,
or the workforce in a position above entry level.
(c) The school board, working with the student and the employer, shall prepare an apprenticeship
agreement. The agreement shall describe the responsibilities of each party, including
program requirements and remuneration to the student by the employer as determined
jointly by the student, apprenticeship coordinator, and worksite mentor and shall
be valid when signed by each party.
(d) When an articulation agreement is requested and feasible, the school board shall negotiate
one for apprentices working towards completion of registered apprenticeship or postsecondary
degree requirements.
(e) The student apprenticeship coordinator shall assist the student in maintaining a portfolio
that shall include a log of work activities and the results of assessments conducted
periodically during the program.
(f) A student apprentice who successfully completes a student apprenticeship program shall
receive an industry competency certificate issued by the State Board of Education.
In order to earn an industry competency certificate, a student apprentice shall demonstrate
mastery of industry competency standards and shall complete academic requirements
for graduation.
(g) A record of mastery of skills attained through the apprenticeship program and high
school graduation credit shall be recorded in the student’s school record. (Added 1993, No. 155 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 17, 1994.)
§ 1604. State Board responsibilities
The State Board of Education shall:
(1) Establish standards of operation for a student apprenticeship program. Standards shall
ensure that a program prepares students to meet labor market standards and needs,
and that a student shall receive relevant and quality work experience.
(2) Establish standards for entrance into a student apprenticeship program.
(3) Establish a process for termination of a student from a student apprenticeship program.
(4) In collaboration with related business or trade organizations, establish academic
and occupation-specific industry competency standards for each occupation-specific
student apprenticeship program offered in the State. The standards shall be those
to be met in order to earn an industry competency certificate.
(5) Establish guidelines for preparation of worksite mentors.
(6) Certify those who graduate from a student apprenticeship program as meeting industry
competency standards for entrance into the trade or profession the student has studied.
The State Board shall maintain a record of certificates issued under this subdivision. (Added 1993, No. 155 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 17, 1994.)
§ 1605. Regional advisory board responsibilities
Each regional advisory board shall:
(1) Based on standards of operation established by the State Board of Education, approve
or disapprove an application from a school board to establish and operate a student
apprenticeship program. The Board may rescind approval if the program is not meeting
the standards.
(2) Based on standards and processes established by the State Board, determine which applicants
shall be accepted into the student apprenticeship programs in its region and determine
whether a student should be terminated from a program. Decisions regarding acceptance
into a program shall, in part, be based on submission of an acceptable career preparation
plan developed by the applicant with the help of a guidance counselor. Decisions regarding
termination shall be made with the advice of the student apprenticeship coordinator.
(3) Approve or disapprove proposed worksites and worksite mentors for student apprenticeship
programs in its region.
(4) At least quarterly, request information about each student from each student apprenticeship
coordinator. The coordinator shall provide information concerning student performance,
basic and advanced skill attainment, suitability of the worksite, and worksite mentor
effectiveness.
(5) At least annually, request program information from each student apprenticeship coordinator
that will enable the Board to judge the overall effectiveness of each student apprenticeship
program in its region. The coordinator shall provide information concerning program
participation, program completion by students, business and industry participation,
quality of instruction, success at combining classroom and worksite instruction, career
placement, and employer satisfaction. (Added 1993, No. 155 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 17, 1994.)