(a)    A grant may be awarded under this subtitle to:

(1)    An employer or consortium of employers;

(2)    An industrial trade association;

(3)    A trade union;

(4)    A registered apprenticeship sponsor; or

(5)    A combination of the entities specified in items (1) through (4) of this subsection.

(b)    A grant recipient shall use the grant in an apprenticeship training program that is:

(1)    A registered apprenticeship program approved by the Apprenticeship and Training Council within the Maryland Department of Labor;

(2)    A youth apprenticeship program approved by the State Superintendent of Schools that involves students attending the public schools of the State; or

(3)    A youth apprenticeship program approved by the Secretary of Juvenile Services that involves clients of the Department of Juvenile Services.

(c)    The Secretary of Labor may ensure that the youth apprenticeship programs approved under this subtitle:

(1)    Foster the expansion of structured, school–to–work transition programs that link secondary school applied learning experiences with:

(i)    Skilled, high wage, workplace jobs and professions; and

(ii)    Postsecondary technical and occupational work experiences;

(2)    Foster enrollment in apprenticeship programs that target youth, including general education degree recipients;

(3)    Foster enrollment of inexperienced, unskilled, first time hires in long–term programs leading to a credential in emerging, technology based occupations that are projected as high growth areas in the State economy; and

(4)    Support the development of competency based instructional programs that encompass secondary and postsecondary institutions and are based on specific skill standards that are identified by the industry through accepted models.