(a) The Chief of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards, or his or her duly authorized representative, shall administer the provisions of this chapter; act as secretary of the California Apprenticeship Council and the Interagency Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship; shall foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the apprentice and industry, improve the working conditions of apprentices, and advance their opportunities for profitable employment; shall ensure that selection procedures are impartially administered to all applicants for apprenticeship; shall gather and promptly disseminate information through apprenticeship and training information centers; shall maintain on public file in all high schools and field offices of the Employment Development Department the name and location of the local area apprenticeship committees, the filing date, and minimum requirements for application of all registered apprenticeship programs; shall cooperate in the development of apprenticeship programs and may advise with them on problems affecting apprenticeship standards; shall audit all selection and disciplinary proceedings of apprentices or prospective apprentices; may enter joint agreements with the Employment Development Department outreach education and employment programs, and educational institutions on the operation of apprenticeship information centers, including positive efforts to achieve information on equal opportunity and affirmative action programs for women and minorities; and shall supervise and recommend apprenticeship agreements as to these standards and perform such other duties associated therewith as the California Apprenticeship Council may recommend. The chief shall coordinate the exchange, by the California Apprenticeship Council, the Interagency Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship, apprenticeship program sponsors, the Fair Employment and Housing Council, community organizations, and other interested persons, of information on available minorities and women who may serve as apprentices.

(b) The chief, in consultation with the Interagency Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship, shall issue rules and regulations that establish standards for minimum wages, maximum hours, and working conditions for apprentice agreements in all industries other than the building and construction trades and firefighter occupations, as well as standards governing preapprenticeship, certification, and other on-the-job training and retraining programs and agreements that are certified pursuant to this chapter. Pending the issuance of new rules and regulations pursuant to this subdivision, the following regulations in Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations shall apply to programs in all industries other than the building and construction trades and firefighting: Sections 200 to 202, inclusive, Sections 205 to 224, inclusive, Sections 235 to 263, inclusive, and Sections 281 to 282, inclusive, with the exception of any filing requirements, appeal rights, or other procedures pertaining to the California Apprenticeship Council.

(c) Any determination or decision made by the California Apprenticeship Council before the operative date of the act adding subdivision (b) to this section shall be deemed a decision or determination of the chief with respect to any program, trade, or standard that does not remain under the jurisdiction of the California Apprenticeship Council.

(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 704, Sec. 24. (AB 235) Effective September 22, 2018.)