Texas § GV.2054.0702 - STATE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY APPRENTICESHIP CREDENTIAL

§ GV.2054.0702. STATE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY APPRENTICESHIP CREDENTIAL

STATE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY APPRENTICESHIP CREDENTIAL. (a) In this section, "public junior college" and "public technical institute" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003 , Education Code. (b) A state agency may enter into an agreement with a public junior college district under Section 130.0081 , Education Code, or a public technical institute under Section 135.06 , Education Code, or other applicable law to offer a program leading to a state information technology apprenticeship credential to address shortages in the state information resources workforce. (c) A program offered under this section must: (1) be approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in accordance with Section 61.0512 , Education Code; (2) develop the knowledge and skills necessary for a journey- or senior-level information technology position in a state agency; and (3) include a one-year apprenticeship with: (A) a relevant state agency; (B) an organization working on a major information resources project; or (C) a regional network security center established under Section 2059.202. (d) An apprenticeship described by Subsection (c)(3) may be: (1) an apprenticeship program registered with the United States Department of Labor; or (2) an industry-recognized apprenticeship program offered by a public junior college or public technical institute that: (A) adheres to academic and workforce standards required by industry; and (B) provides for flexibility in course design and implementation, including flexibility regarding the: (i) number of hours of classroom instruction and on-the-job training required; (ii) competencies required for credentialing; and (iii) goals for the program, as determined by the employer partner and faculty of the institution. (e) The executive director shall update the department's intra-agency career ladder program to ensure that an associate degree together with a credential awarded under this section may be substituted for a four-year baccalaureate degree. (f) The classification officer in the office of the state auditor shall review the state's position classification plan to determine whether an associate degree together with a credential awarded under this section may be substituted for a four-year baccalaureate degree and revise relevant job descriptions accordingly. (g) If a program offered under this section is not fully funded through tuition and other money available to the public junior college district or public technical institute for that purpose, a state agency may: (1) use any money available to the agency for the purpose of offering the program; and (2) solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source for the purpose of offering the program. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 272 (H.B. 2768 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025. SUBCHAPTER D. INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGERS