Vermont H 803: An act relating to apprenticeship programs

Bill Text

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.803
2026 Page 1 of 10

VT LEG #386649 v.1
H.803 1
Introduced by Representatives Marcotte of Coventry, Duke of Burlington, 2
Graning of Jericho, Olson of Starksboro, Priestley of Bradford, 3
and White of Bethel 4
Referred to Committee on 5
Date: 6
Subject: Labor; workforce development; apprenticeship; programs 7
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to make updates 8
and technical corrections to the State’s apprenticeship programs. 9
An act relating to apprenticeship programs 10
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 11
Sec. 1. 21 V.S.A. chapter 13 is amended to read: 12
CHAPTER 13. APPRENTICESHIP 13
§ 1111. DEFINITIONS 14
As used in this chapter: 15
* * * 16
(22) “Nontraditional apprenticeship population” means a group of 17
individuals who have historically been excluded from various occupations, 18
such as individuals from the same gender, race, or ethnicity, the members of 19

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.803
2026 Page 2 of 10

VT LEG #386649 v.1
which comprise fewer than 25 percent of the program participants in an 1
apprenticeable occupation. 2
(23) “Nontraditional apprenticeship industry or occupation” refers to an 3
industry sector or occupation that represents fewer than 10 ten percent of 4
apprenticeable occupations or the programs under the national apprenticeship 5
system, using the calendar year 2023 as the benchmark. 6
* * * 7
(33) “Underserved communities” means the populations sharing a 8
particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, who have been 9
systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, 10
social, and civic life. This term includes individuals who belong to 11
communities of color, such as Black and African American, Hispanic and 12
Latino, Native American, Alaskan Native and Indigenous, Asian American, 13
Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and North African 14
persons. It also includes individuals who belong to communities that face 15
discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, including 16
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, gender non-conforming, and non-17
binary (LGBTQ+ persons); persons who face discrimination based on 18
pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions; parents; and caregivers. It also 19
includes individuals who belong to communities that face discrimination based 20
on their religion and disability; first-generation professionals or first-21

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.803
2026 Page 3 of 10

VT LEG #386649 v.1
generation college students; individuals with limited English proficiency; 1
immigrants; individuals who belong to communities that may face employment 2
barriers based on older age or former incarceration; persons who live in rural 3
areas; veterans and military spouses; and persons otherwise adversely affected 4
by persistent poverty, discrimination, or inequality: 5
(A) face employment barriers based on age or former incarceration; 6
(B) live in rural areas; 7
(C) lack access to transportation options or high-speed internet; 8
(D) are veterans or spouses of veterans; and 9
(E) are otherwise adversely affected by poverty, discrimination, or 10
inequality. Individuals may belong to more than one underserved community 11
and face intersecting barriers. 12
* * * 13
§ 1113. VERMONT REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM 14
* * * 15
(e) Strategic planning and reporting. The Vermont Registered 16
Apprenticeship Program shall: 17
(1) develop and disseminate a strategic plan once every five years, 18
beginning on July 1, 2024 2026, which shall include information on how the 19
Program will implement the requirements of this chapter; 20

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.803
2026 Page 4 of 10

VT LEG #386649 v.1
(2) prepare and submit to the Vermont General Assembly an annual 1
report on the status of the Vermont Registered Apprenticeship Program on or 2
before December 1 of each year that includes: 3
(A) general program Program statistics, including a list of programs 4
by county; 5
(B) an analysis of apprentices in the program Program disaggregated 6
by age, race, sex, gender identity, New American status language access needs, 7
Veteran status, disability, industry, and education status, including 8
participation in career and technical education; 9
(C) nontraditional occupations by gender and race; 10
(D) new occupations approved; 11
(E) an analysis of the average starting and ending wage by 12
occupation; 13
(F) new sponsors, employers, or industries involved with programs 14
over the previous period; 15
(G) a summary of how allocated funds were used and analysis of the 16
impact of those funds, including uses of any federal funds awarded during the 17
year; and 18
(H) a summary of significant activities of the program Program. 19
§ 1114. VERMONT APPRENTICESHIP ADVISORY BOARD 20
* * * 21

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.803
2026 Page 5 of 10

VT LEG #386649 v.1
(c) Duties. The Board shall: 1
* * * 2
(6) Create and convene work