(1) An apprenticeship committee may recommend to its community or technical college partner or partners that an associate degree pathway be developed for the committee’s program.

(2) In consultation with the state board for community and technical colleges, the apprenticeship committee and the college or colleges involved with the program shall consider the extent apprentices in the program are likely to pursue an associate degree and the extent a pathway could reduce redundancy of course requirements between the apprenticeship and a degree.

(3) If the apprenticeship committee and the college or colleges involved with the program determine that a pathway would be beneficial for apprentices and assist them in obtaining an associate degree, the apprenticeship committee may request that a pathway be established as provided in RCW 28B.50.890.

Findings—2003 c 128: “The legislature finds that:

(1) Apprenticeships are very rigorous and highly structured programs with specific academic and work training requirements;

(2) There is a misperception that apprenticeships are only for noncollege bound students; and

(3) The state should expand opportunities for individuals to progress from an apprenticeship to college by creating pathways that build on the apprenticeship experience and permit apprentices to earn an associate degree.” [ 2003 c 128 § 1.]