BOP Program Statement 5353.02 § 4

Occupational education programs are offered at the certificate level and the classroom level.

Each level may include the following types of training:

(a) Exploratory Training. Exploratory training is a study of occupations and industries for the

purpose of providing the student with a general knowledge of the occupation and the world of

work, rather than specific skill development.

Ordinarily, exploratory training programs are less than 100 hours. These programs do not result

in an industry-recognized credential or license and are intended to provide only general

knowledge of the occupation or trade. For guidance on certified or licensed programs with less

than 100 hours of instruction, reference part (d) of this section below. Whenever possible,

programs should be offered at the Marketable or Certification training level.

(b) Marketable Training. Marketable training provides specific entry-level or advanced job

skills. Marketable training may include “live work”, that is, the training would result in a

product or service produced by the inmate for actual use by the institution, FPI, another federal

agency, or community service project.

Marketable training must prepare inmates for an entry-level position in a specific occupation or a

related group of fields. Students must complete a minimum of 100 hours of study and master

competency skills defined in the curriculum before they are awarded with a marketable

completion. Marketable training programs must result in the student receiving an industry-recognized credential.

Industry-recognized credentials are certifications, credentials, or licenses that are vetted by

employers and validate the skills and knowledge of a professional in a specific field or industry.

Certificates confirm a person has completed a program of study and may be given by a business,

educational institution, or group. A certification is a professional credential awarded by a

national organization requiring an exam that certifies skills and knowledge in a particular area of

study, field, or industry. Licenses are mandatory to legally practice in some occupations.

Inmates will be able to enroll in a marketable CTE program if they have met the Bureau’s

literacy requirements, have received a literacy program completion waiver, or if they maintain

concurrent enrollment in the Bureau’s Literacy Program. For more information, see Program

Statement Literacy Program. Inmates with documented special learning needs will also be able

to enroll in the marketable training program.

A trade advisory committee is required for all marketable level CTE programs not accredited by

an organization recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education as an

accrediting agency or accredited institution.

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The trade advisory committee size and composition will vary according to local needs. The

committee must include at least two members who are not regular staff or contractors of the

institution. The intent is to include representatives from trade organizations, accredited training

institutions, or potential employers to provide input on the quality of the CTE program to align

with community standards and to provide post-employment opportunities for inmates.

Joint trade advisory committees and meetings are permissible when limitations such as the

remoteness of an institution prevents them from having individual advisory committees and

meetings for each CTE program. At least one expert from each trade area must be included in the

joint trade advisory committee and be present at each meeting.

Committee meetings occurring in-person, by conference call, video, or webinar will be held at

least twice a year with at least one meeting conducted at the institution. Meeting minutes from

the trade advisory committee will be prepared, emailed to the REA and ESB within 30 days, and

maintained by the SOE for three years.

Guidance for documenting inmate enrollment, withdrawal, and completion of CTE programs is

available on the ESB page of the Bureau’s intranet site.

All marketable programs must include hands-on experience in the curriculum. Hands-on is

considered practical training that replicates the workplace and is part of the curriculum, not a

specific work project. Examples include practicing knife skills, landscaping work, or similar

activities.

(c) Apprentice Training. Apprentice training provides an inmate the opportunity to participate

in training which prepares the inmate for employment in various trades through structured

apprenticeship programs approved at the state and national levels by the Bureau of

Apprenticeship and Training, U.S. Department of Labor.

Apprentice training provides an inmate the opportunity to participate in training which prepares

them for employment in various trades. Apprenticeship programs for inmates will be established

in areas of the institution which meet the National Standards of Apprenticeship, developed by the

Bureau and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and posted on the ESB page of the Bureau’s

intranet site.

The SOE will:

■ Ensure all new apprentices are registered under the National Standards of Apprenticeship

and fulfill all requirements for completion.

■ Review and expand apprenticeship opportunities.

■ Request, if needed, funds for related trade instruction and materials.

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■ Appoint an Education staff member to serve as the Apprenticeship Coordinator.

The Apprenticeship Coordinator will:

■ Provide or arrange for related instruction for apprenticeship programs.

■ Enter all participation records in the applicable Bureau inmate information system in

accordance with guidance provided on the ESB page of the Bureau’s intranet site.

■ Ensure records are maintained which document on-the-job learning hours completed by

each apprentice for every skill process task outlined in the overall work process schedule.

■ Conduct apprenticeship committee meetings in-person, teleconference, video, or by

webinar at least twice a calendar year. At a minimum, committee meetings must include

the SOE/ASOE, Apprenticeship Coordinator, and all journeymen supervising apprentices.

Whenever possible, the DOL apprentice training representative, a Federal Prison

Industries representative, and Associate Warden should attend. Meeting minutes will also

be prepared and maintained for three years with a copy sent to the ESB National

Apprenticeship Coordinator.

d. Certification Course. Certification courses are 99 instructional hours or less and lead to the

inmate obtaining an industry-recognized credential.