§ 816-a. Apprenticeship assistance in all political subdivisions of the state. any political subdivision of the state may provide financial assistance, within the amounts appropriated therefor, for the purpose of promoting non-profit apprentice training programs within such political subdivision to train persons in those skills needed by the the political subdivision as an employer, administered by agencies representing municipal employees in particular title or classification or other phases of employment; provided such programs are approved by the department of education as to curriculum, instructors and scope and further provided that such programs are registered and approved pursuant to sections eight hundred fourteen and eight hundred fifteen of this chapter.