AB 1493: Civil service: Career Development Apprenticeship Program.

Existing law, the State Civil Service Act, creates the Department of Human Resources and grants to the department the powers, duties, and authority necessary to operate the state civil service system in accordance with Article VII of the California Constitution, the Government Code, the merit principle, and applicable rules duly adopted by the State Personnel Board. Existing law requires the State Personnel Board to prescribe rules consistent with a merit-based civil service system to govern classifications, examinations, probationary periods, disciplinary actions, appointments, and other matters related to the boards authority under the California Constitution.

This bill would require the department to administer and oversee the Career Development Apprenticeship Program, which would provide an alternative to the traditional civil service examination and appointment process, as specified. The bill would require the department to implement the program, including establishing eligibility criteria for participation, special job classifications or position tenure and status designations, alternative examination and appointment types, and appeal procedures. The bill would require the department or its designee to conduct competitive examinations to determine the qualifications and readiness of career development apprentices for permanent state employment. The bill would require apprenticeship appointments to be made on a temporary and provisional basis, and would specify candidates serving in an apprenticeship appointment shall not acquire permanent civil service status for the duration of the term of the apprenticeship appointment. The bill would require the department or its designee to develop job-related evaluation standards that are appropriate tests of fitness for the job classification, and to provide a final evaluation to each apprentice at the end of the evaluation period that contains a determination as to whether the apprentice meets the minimum qualifications and a certification as to whether the apprentice successfully passed the evaluation period and should be transitioned to a permanent civil service appointment.