apprenticeship programs (a) In general For purposes of section 38, the apprenticeship credit determined under this section for the taxable year is an amount equal to the sum of the applicable credit amounts (as determined under subsection (b)) for each of the apprenticeship employees of the employer that exceeds the applicable apprenticeship level (as determined under subsection (e)) during such taxable year. (b) Applicable credit amount For purposes of subsection (a), the applicable credit amount for each apprenticeship employee for each taxable year is equal to— (1) in the case of an apprenticeship employee who has not attained 25 years of age at the close of the taxable year, $1,500, or (2) in the case of an apprenticeship employee who has attained 25 years of age at the close of the taxable year, $1,000. (c) Limitation on number of years which credit may be taken into account The apprenticeship credit shall not be allowed for more than 2 taxable years with respect to any apprenticeship employee. (d) Apprenticeship employee For purposes of this section— (1) In general The term apprenticeship employee means any employee who is— (A) a party to an apprenticeship agreement registered with— (i) the Office of Apprenticeship of the Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor, or (ii) a recognized State apprenticeship agency, and (B) employed by the employer in the occupation identified in the apprenticeship agreement described in paragraph (1), whether or not the employer is a party to such agreement. (2) Minimum completion rate for eligible apprenticeship programs An employee shall not be treated as an apprenticeship employee unless such apprenticeship agreement is with an apprenticeship program that, for the two-year period ending on the date of the apprenticeship begins, has a completion rate of at least 50 percent. (e) Applicable apprenticeship level (1) In general For purposes of this section, the applicable apprenticeship level shall be equal to— (A) in the case of any apprenticeship