Texas Education Code - EDUC § 133.002. General Provisions Relating to Apprenticeship Training Programs

(a) Pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the commission may allocate state funds for the support of apprenticeship training programs that meet the criteria set forth in this chapter.

(b) A program may be conducted by an independent apprenticeship committee or may be sponsored by a public school district or a state postsecondary institution pursuant to a contract between the district or institution and an apprenticeship committee.

(c) A program must be under the direction of an apprenticeship committee whose members are appointed by one or more employers of apprentices, one or more bargaining agents representing members of an apprenticeable trade, or a combination of the above, and the committee shall perform the duties set forth in Section 133.003. If an apprenticeship committee is composed of representatives of one or more employers and one or more bargaining agents, the number of committee members designated by the employer or employers shall be equal to the number of committee members designated by the bargaining agent or agents.

(d) Each apprentice participating in a program must be given a written apprenticeship agreement by the apprenticeship committee stating the standards and conditions of the apprentice's employment and training. The standards must conform substantially with the standards of apprenticeship for the particular trade which have been adopted by the Office of Apprenticeship.

(e) An apprentice may not be charged tuition or fees by a public school district or state postsecondary institution other than an administrative fee to cover the costs of processing the apprentice's records which shall not exceed $5 for each course in which the apprentice is enrolled.

(f) Funding for a program sponsored by a public school district or state postsecondary institution, in addition to any other money available, shall be provided by the apprenticeship committee pursuant to the terms of the contract referred to in Subsection (b).

(g) An apprenticeship training program must provide adequate facilities, personnel, and resources to effectively administer the program in a manner consistent with the public's need for skilled craftsmen and the apprentices' need for marketable skills in apprenticeable occupations.

(h) A program must be registered with the Office of Apprenticeship and approved by the commission.