[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5964 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5964
To establish a technology-based job training and education program.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 25, 2020
Mr. Lujan introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a technology-based job training and education program.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``TechSMART Workforce Development
Act''.
SEC. 2. TECHSMART WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Not later than 12 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall establish a
program, to be known as the ``TechSMART Workforce Development
Program'', under which the Secretary shall provide to eligible entities
described in subsection (c), on a competitive basis, grants for
technology sector job training and education programs that provide
industry-recognized credentials during the 5-year grant period
beginning on the date of enactment of this Act. Such training and
education programs may include--
(1) programs that provide a postsecondary credential;
(2) intensive coaching and other short-term, specialized
services culminating in direct job placement; and
(3) short-term or accelerated training that may or may not
result in a postsecondary credential in high-growth occupations
and industries.
(b) Requirements.--A job training and education program that is
awarded a grant under this section shall, to the extent practicable,
provide technology-based training across two or more sectors,
including--
(1) information technology;
(2) computer coding and cybersecurity technology;
(3) healthcare services technology;
(4) advanced manufacturing technology;
(5) financial services technology; and
(6) educational services technology.
(c) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this section, an entity shall be a workforce intermediary, a public
organization, or an organization described in section 501(c) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section
501(a) of that Code that--
(1) includes an advisory board, which may be--
(A)(i) a local workforce development board;
(ii) a State workforce development board; or
(iii) an appropriate subgroup of a local workforce
development board or a State workforce development
board; and
(B) a board of proportional participation, as
determined by the Secretary of Labor, of relevant
organizations, including--
(i) relevant industry organizations,
including public and private employers;
(ii) labor organizations;
(iii) one or more units of local
government;
(iv) postsecondary education organizations;
and
(v) industry or sector partnerships;
(2) demonstrates experience in implementing and operating
job training and education programs;
(3) demonstrates the ability to recruit and support
individuals who plan to work in a relevant sector on the
successful completion of relevant job training and education
programs;
(4)(A) provides students who complete the training and
education program with a postsecondary credential; or
(B) uses a customized training curriculum that is
specifically aligned with employers, utilizing work place
learning advisors and on-the-job training to the greatest
extent possible; and
(5) demonstrates successful outcomes connecting graduates
of job training and education programs to quality jobs relevant
to the job training and education programs.
(d) Applications.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under this
section shall submit to the Secretary of Labor an application at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary
of Labor may require.
(e) Priority.--In selecting eligible entities to receive grants
under this section, the Secretary of Labor shall prioritize applicants
that meet one or more of the following criteria:
(1)(A) Include a local workforce development board or State
workforce development board; or
(B) demonstrate a strong partnership with a local workforce
development board or State workforce development board.
(2) House the job training and education program in--
(A) a community college or institution of higher
education that includes basic science, technology, and
math education in the curriculum of the community
college or institution of higher education;
(B) an apprenticeship program registered with the
Department of Labor or a State; or
(C) a customized training program developed in
collaboration with employers that utilizes on the job
training to the greatest extent possible.
(3) Work with the Secretary of Defense or veterans
organizations to transition members of the Armed Forces and
veterans to careers in a relevant sector.
(4) Include in the application an entity that receives
State funding or is operated by a State agency.
(5) Include an apprenticeship program registered with the
Department of Labor as part of the job training and education
program.
(6) Provide support services and career planning.
(7) Provide entry-level technology workforce training aimed
at matching workers with well-paying jobs.
(8) Propose to serve--
(A) young adults between the ages of 17 and 29; or
(B) individuals with barriers to employment (as
defined in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102)).
(f) Additional Consideration.--In making grants under this section,
the Secretary of Labor shall consider regional diversity.
(g) Limitation on Applications.--An eligible entity may not submit,
either individually or as part of a joint application, more than 1
application for a grant under this section during any 1 fiscal year.
(h) Limitations on Amount of Grant.--The amount of a single grant
provided under this section for any 24-month period shall not exceed
$5,000,000.
(i) Non-Federal Share.--The non-Federal share of the cost of a job
training and education program carried out using a grant under this
section shall be not less than 25 percent of the total cost.
(j) Reduction of Duplication.--Before submitting an application for
a grant under this section, each applicant shall--
(1) consult with the heads of appropriate Federal agencies;
and
(2) coordinate the proposed activities of the applicant
with existing State and local programs.
(k) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary of Labor may provide
technical assistance to eligible entities under subsection (c) to
leverage the existing job training and education programs of the
Department of Labor and other relevant programs at appropriate Federal
agencies.
(l) Report.--Not less frequently than once every two years, the
Secretary of Labor shall submit to Congress, and make publicly
available on the website of the Department of Labor, a report on the
program established under this section, including a description of--
(1) any entity that receives a grant under this section;
(2) any activity carried out using the grants under this
section;
(3) best practices used to leverage the investment of the
Federal Government under this section; and
(4) an assessment of the results achieved by the program
established under this section, including the rate of
employment for participants after completing a job training and
education program carried out using a grant under this section.
(m) Definitions.--As used in this Act--
(1) the term ``institution of higher education'' has the
meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001);
(2) the term ``community college'' has the meaning given
the term ``junior or community college'' in section 312(f) of
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058(f));
(3) the terms ``career planning'', ``customized training'',
``individuals with barriers to employment'', ``industry or
sector partnership'', ``local workforce development board'',
``on-the-job training'', ``recognized postsecondary
credential'', ``State workforce development board'', and
``workplace learning advisor'' have the meanings given such
terms in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (29 U.S.C. 3102); and
(4) the term ``workforce intermediary''--
(A) means an organization that proactively
addresses workforce needs using a dual customer
approach, which considers the needs of both employees
and employers; and
(B) may include a faith-based and community
organization, employer organizations, a community
college, a temporary staffing agency, a State workforce
development board, a local workforce development board,
or a labor organization.
(n) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2021 through 2025.
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