CHAPTER 2
An Act related to apprenticeship training programs; report.
[H 1849]
Approved February 25, 2021
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. § 1. The Virginia Board of Workforce Development (the Board), the Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI), and the Department of General Services (DGS) shall review the availability of registered apprenticeship programs in the Commonwealth, and evaluate the capacity to build a program that would require contractors engaged in construction contracts with public bodies to participate in apprenticeship training programs for each trade or classification of employees engaged in the construction contract. Additionally, the Board, DOLI, and DGS shall evaluate whether a requirement to limit public procurements to bidders with registered apprenticeship programs would assist the construction industry in meeting its workforce needs. In reviewing these issues, the Board, DOLI, and DGS may consider and evaluate additional workforce models to help the construction industry develop and meet its workforce needs.
§ 2. In carrying out its responsibilities pursuant to § 1, the Board, DOLI, and DGS may convene a stakeholder advisory group. Such group shall include, at a minimum, representatives from the following: the Virginia State Building and Construction Trades Council, the Alliance for Construction Excellence, and the Joint Apprenticeship Training Council. The advisory group shall also include representatives of career and technical educators, the labor workforce, and small state contractors.
§ 3. The Board, DOLI, and DGS shall complete its review and complete any advisory group meetings by September 1, 2021, and shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an executive summary and a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports no later than December 1, 2021.