Administration of the Commonwealth Registered Apprenticeship Program. (a) The CNMI State Workforce Development Board shall: (1) Establish an Advisory Council to provide leadership and guidance to promote and expand apprenticeship in new high-growth industries; build and maintain partnership with stakeholders; and coordinate resources that support apprenticeship opportunities; (2) Resolve differences arising out of the apprenticeship agreements where the differences cannot be otherwise adjusted locally; (3) Submit all proposed modifications in legislation, regulations, policies and/or operation procedures planned or anticipated by the Advisory Council, either at the time of application for recognition or subsequently, to the Department for review and obtain the Secretary’s concurrence prior to implementation; (4) Perform other duties as are necessary to carry out the intent and purpose of this Chapter; (b) The CNMI Registered Apprenticeship Program duties and responsibilities shall include, but are not limited, to the following: (1) Assist in the development of on-the-job learning programs in national apprentice occupations or local apprentice occupations; (2) Register such apprenticeship agreements as are in the best interest of apprenticeship, and which conform to the standards established by this Chapter; (3) Keep a record of apprenticeship agreements and upon determination thereof issue either an interim credential or a certificate of completion of apprenticeship; (4) Terminate or cancel any apprenticeship agreements in accordance with the agreements or at the request of the sponsor, or termination of an Apprenticeship Agreement at the request of the apprentice; (5) Keep a record of program participants and program provider processing fees and finances; and (6) Establish contracts with government agencies, departments, and instrumentalities, public or private organizations, firms, companies, businesses, program providers, or individuals to provide technical or skilled training programs. Said contracts shall provide for specialized training in needed skills not otherwise available through the Program. If this specialized training is not part of an accessory CNMI Government or federally funded program, the program participant shall pay the training cost. (c) Program sponsors having apprentices in training shall adopt and register with the Secretary a written Affirmative Action Plan and Section Procedure according to Title 29 C.F.R. Part 30. Program sponsors may set their own minimum requirements, qualifications and
credentials for apprentices in compliance with all applicable program requirements of USDOL-OA standards; and (d) DOL is authorized to collect an Eligible Cross Tax Deduction Certification processing fee in order to defray the cost of administering the Program and shall be due upon release of the certification. Source: PL 23-25 § 4 (Sept. 20, 2024).