; or (II) to earn advanced placement or credit at a postsecondary educational institution for skills and competencies acquired during the program described in this paragraph. (vii) A formal agreement with a sponsor of the apprenticeship program described in subparagraph (D) that would enable participants who successfully complete the program described in this paragraph to enter directly into the apprenticeship program (if a place in the program is available and other necessary requirements for acceptance are satisfied), and an agreement enabling participants to earn advanced placement or credit at a postsecondary educational institution for skills and competencies acquired during the program described in this paragraph, including basic academic and technical skills and competencies aligned with the apprenticeable occupation. (28) Program administrator The term program administrator means the administrator of a pre-apprenticeship program or youth apprenticeship program, as the case may be. (29) Qualified intermediary (A) In general The term qualified intermediary means an entity, which may be part of an industry or sector partnership, that demonstrates expertise in building, connecting, sustaining, and measuring the performance of partnerships described in subparagraph (B) in order for the entity to broker services, resources, and supports for development, delivery, expansion, or improvement of covered apprenticeship programs, and of the organizations and systems that are designed to serve covered apprentices and employer partners, including— (i) connecting employers to apprenticeship opportunities; (ii) assisting in the design and implementation of covered apprenticeship programs, including curriculum development and delivery for related instruction; (iii) supporting entities, and sponsors or program administrators, in meeting the registration and reporting requirements; (iv) providing professional development activities such as training to mentors