Committee advances bill to establish a State Apprenticeship Agency

Senator Jane English (District 13) presented Senate Bill 390 to create a State Apprenticeship Agency that would move Arkansas from heavier federal reliance to greater state oversight of registered apprenticeship programs. English said the change would provide more flexibility and faster responsiveness to industry needs.

Bill Rogers and Bill Rochelle, the latter representing the Associated Builders and Contractors of Arkansas chapter, testified in favor. Rochelle told the committee that many red states prefer state apprenticeship agencies because they give the state-level office flexibility to design programs that meet employer needs. He said chapter members supported a state-level model and expressed confidence in state officials to govern and administer apprenticeship programs.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about the transition from the current steering/coordination structure to a state-level agency. Senator English said the proposal builds on existing in-agency programs and steering-committee work and would formalize and centralize oversight. With no opposing testimony and no substantive objections recorded, the committee passed the bill by voice vote.