Relating to the development of a state information technology apprenticeship credential offered by public junior colleges or public technical institutes to address shortages in the state information resources workforce, the official text

H.B. No. 2768

AN ACT

relating to the development of a state information technology

apprenticeship credential offered by public junior colleges or

public technical institutes to address shortages in the state

information resources workforce.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 2054, Government Code, is

amended by adding Section 2054.0702 to read as follows:

Sec. 2054.0702. 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.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

______________________________
______________________________

President of the Senate
Speaker of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 2768 was passed by the House on May 2,

2025, by the following vote: Yeas 122, Nays 1, 2 present, not

voting.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 2768 was passed by the Senate on May

19, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________

Secretary of the Senate

APPROVED: _____________________

Date

_____________________

Governor