; (vi) providing training to employees to serve as on-the-job trainers or mentors to program participants; and (vii) providing career exposure, career planning, and career awareness activities. (4) Educational alignment grants An eligible entity that receives funds under section 201(a)(1)(D) shall use such funds to strengthen alignment between programs under the national apprenticeship system and education and training providers with secondary and postsecondary education systems, including degree and credential requirements, which may include— (A) creating and aligning the related instruction to requirements for a high school diploma or an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, including through— (i) dual enrollment and credit articulation for youth apprenticeship programs; (ii) articulation agreements; or (iii) credit transfer agreements; (B) creating or expanding career pathways aligned with pre-apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, or apprenticeship programs; (C) providing professional development for teachers, career guidance and academic counselors, school leaders, administrators, specialized instructional support personnel, and paraprofessionals to build an understanding of opportunities in the national apprenticeship system available to students and to incorporate such opportunities into academic content and offerings; (D) offering prior learning assessments, which may include credit for prior learning to grant advanced standing in a program under the national apprenticeship system and credit towards an associate’s or bachelor’s degree; (E) maintaining a connection between a pre-apprenticeship or youth apprenticeship program and an apprenticeship program; and (F) providing training for instructors or mentors. 203. Grant evaluations (a) Recipient reports Each recipient of a grant under this section shall— (1) provide for an independent evaluation of the activities carried out under this title during the grant period