The State Board of Education, upon receipt of a proper application, shall issue an initial educator certificate, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-145b, to any applicant in the certification endorsement area of occupational subjects in vocational-technical schools who has completed six years of work experience in the field for which the certificate is to be endorsed, which may include apprenticeship experience, provided such applicant otherwise meets the requirements established in this chapter and any regulations adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to this chapter.