; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq. ), including any requirement, standard, or rule promulgated under such Act as in effect on December 30, 2019. (7) Secretary Except as otherwise specifically provided, the term Secretary means the Secretary of Labor. (8) State The term State means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (b) Establishment The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Education, shall award grants to eligible partnerships to pay the Federal share of the costs of developing, administering, and evaluating apprenticeships. (c) Application An eligible partnership seeking a grant under this Act shall submit an application to the Secretary for approval at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (d) Uses of funds (1) Required uses A grant under subsection (b) shall be used for activities that develop, administer, and evaluate an apprenticeship, including— (A) equipping apprentices with specialized knowledge, skills, and competencies required to work in early childhood education; (B) increasing the number of individuals who complete an apprenticeship program and obtain a credential or degree or a certificate of completion of an apprenticeship program, including increasing such number in areas that are underserved or rural; (C) promoting recruitment and retention of apprentices; (D) providing a pathway to career advancement for apprentices by assisting such apprentices in completing an apprenticeship; (E) providing for evaluation and longitudinal data regarding apprentices participating in the program to determine long-term outcomes, including information needed for purposes of subsections (g) and (i)