Nothing in this part or in any apprenticeship agreement shall
operate to invalidate:
(a) Any apprenticeship provision in any collective bargaining
agreement between employers and employees establishing higher
apprenticeship standards; or
(b) Any special provision for veterans, minority persons or females
in the standards, apprentice qualifications or operation of the program,
or in the apprenticeship agreement, which is not otherwise prohibited by
law, Executive order, or authorized regulation.