; or (bb) to earn advanced placement or credit at a postsecondary educational institution for skills and competencies acquired during the program described in this paragraph; and (VII) a formal agreement with a sponsor of the apprenticeship program 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. (B) Entities The entities described in this subparagraph are: (i) An employer. (ii) An industry or sector partnership. (iii) An industry association. (iv) A labor organization. (v) A community-based organization. (9) Registration agency The term registration agency means the State Office of Apprenticeship or State apprenticeship agency in a State that is responsible for— (A) approving or denying applications from sponsors for registration of programs under the national apprenticeship system in the State or area covered by the registration agency