(a) The Mayor, subject to the annual appropriation of funds, shall establish and administer a pre-apprenticeship program to assist District residents in meeting the requirements for registered apprenticeship programs.
(b) This program may include academic remediation, classroom-related instruction, other educational training, and on-the-job training in occupational skills necessary for entry into existing or registered new apprenticeship programs.
(c) The Mayor may enter into agreements with local unions and employers to provide pre-apprenticeship assistance. In selecting participants for pre-apprenticeship programs, the Mayor may give priority to residents of persistent problem areas.