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.