AUTHORITY FOR COMPETENCY-BASED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

SEC. 104. AUTHORITY FOR COMPETENCY-BASED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS. (a) In General.—Section 3672(c) is amended—(1) by striking “(1)” and “(2)” and inserting “(A)” and “(B)”, respectively;(2) by inserting “(1)” after “(c)”; and(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:“(2) The period of a program of apprenticeship may be determined based upon a specific period of time (commonly referred to as a ‘time-based program’), based upon the demonstration of successful mastery of skills (commonly referred to as a ‘competency-based program’), or based upon a combination thereof.“(3)(A) In the case of a competency-based program of apprenticeship, State approving agencies shall determine the period for which payment may be made for such a program under chapters 30 and 35 of this title and chapter 1606 of title 10. In determining the period of such a program, State approving agencies shall take into consideration the approximate term of the program recommended in registered apprenticeship program standards recognized by the Secretary of Labor.“(B) The sponsor of a competency-based program of apprenticeship shall provide notice to the State approving agency involved of any such standards that may apply to the program and the proposed approximate period of training under the program.“(4) The sponsor of a competency-based program of apprenticeship shall notify the Secretary upon the successful completion of 118 STAT. 3602 a program of apprenticeship by an individual under chapter 30 or 35 of this title, or chapter 1606 of title 10, as the case may be.”.(b) Increased Use of Apprenticeships.—Section 3672(d)(1) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: “The Secretary of Labor shall provide assistance and services to the Secretary, and to State approving agencies, to increase the use of apprenticeships.”.(c) Funding for Department Computer System Modifications.—From amounts appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2005 for readjustment benefits, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall use an amount not to exceed $3,000,000 to modify computer systems and to develop procedures required to carry out the amendments made by subsection (a) and sections 102 and 103.