; (C) respond to the needs reflected in labor market data in the local area of the program or activity and align with high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industries or occupations; (D) demonstrate a return on investment of Federal, State, local, sponsor, employer, and other funding for apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and youth apprenticeship programs, capturing the full level of investment in, and impact of, such programs; and (E) regularly assess the impact of such programs in effectively increasing the participation of nontraditional apprenticeship populations, such as women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, long-term unemployed, individuals impacted by the criminal and juvenile justice system, foster and former foster youth, and individuals with barriers to employment; (2) the impact of the National Apprenticeship Act of 2023 on the general effectiveness of apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and youth apprenticeship programs, including on the implementation of policies such as dual or concurrent enrollment programs, advanced standing, or national occupational standards; (3) best practices for increasing participation of nontraditional apprenticeship populations and individuals with barriers to employment, including individuals with disabilities, in apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and youth apprenticeship programs; and (4) opportunities to scale up effective models under the national apprenticeship system. (d) Reports (1) Independent entity The Secretary shall require the independent entity carrying out the research under subsection (a) to prepare and submit to the Secretary— (A) an interim report containing findings from the research