High Demand Apprenticeship Program; opportunities for apprenticeship sponsors to enter into apprenticeship program contracts with State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia; provide
Summary
SB 180 amends Georgia’s High Demand Apprenticeship Program to expand and formalize the ability of employer sponsors and apprenticeship sponsors to enter into contracts with the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia. Under the bill, a sponsor may apply to the board for a contract to conduct an apprenticeship program for a specific apprentice, and the contract must require successful completion of the apprenticeship program. The bill also ties the state’s completion award to the amount of education and training required for the apprenticeship.
The measure lowers the maximum completion award from $10,000 per apprentice for contracts entered into before July 1, 2024 to $5,000 per apprentice for contracts entered into on or after that date. It also sets participation limits, allowing each sponsor to enter into contracts for up to five apprentices per year through fiscal year 2024 and up to ten apprentices per year beginning in fiscal year 2025. The bill further updates the rules authority for the program to reflect the terms of agreement between sponsors and the board.
Impact
SB 180 amends Code Section 20-4-151 and Code Section 20-4-154 in Title 20, Chapter 4, Article 7 of the Georgia Code, which governs the High Demand Apprenticeship Program. The bill affects apprenticeship sponsors, employer sponsors, the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia, and apprentices participating in state-supported apprenticeship contracts. It changes the structure and limits of state completion awards, adjusts annual participation caps, and clarifies the board’s authority to set agreement terms and administer the program.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad legislative support, passing the Senate 53-1 and the House 158-0. That voting record suggests strong bipartisan approval and little visible opposition in the recorded votes. The overall sentiment reflected by the bill’s progress is favorable toward expanding and refining apprenticeship opportunities while maintaining state oversight and funding limits.
Contention
No committee transcript was provided, so specific policy arguments are not available. Based on the text, the main points of potential contention would be the reduction in the maximum completion award after July 1, 2024 and the cap on the number of apprentices each sponsor may contract for each year. Supporters are likely to view the bill as a way to encourage workforce development and employer participation, while any critics might focus on whether the lower award amount or participation limits are sufficient to sustain apprenticeship growth.