[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2303 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2303
To authorize funding to expand and support enrollment at institutions
of higher education that sponsor construction and manufacturing-
oriented registered apprenticeship programs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 1, 2021
Ms. Craig (for herself and Mr. Stauber) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize funding to expand and support enrollment at institutions
of higher education that sponsor construction and manufacturing-
oriented registered apprenticeship programs, and for other purposes.
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 ``Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges
Act of 2021''.
SEC. 2. COMMUNITY OUTREACH GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--From the amounts appropriated under subsection
(f), the Secretary of Education shall provide grants to eligible
entities for the purposes of expanding or supporting potential student
and employer outreach carried out by such entities with respect to the
construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship
programs offered by such entities.
(b) Amounts.--The total grant amount made to an eligible entity
under this section may not exceed $500,000.
(c) Use of Grants.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under
this section shall use such grant for the outreach described in
subsection (a), which shall include the following:
(1) Outreach to high schools, for the purpose of educating
students, parents, guardians, and faculty on the benefits of
enrolling in the construction and manufacturing-oriented
registered apprenticeship program offered by the eligible
entity.
(2) Outreach to local businesses and other potential
employers for the purpose of educating such employers on the
benefits of hiring graduates of such program, which shall--
(A) primarily target relationship building with
potential employers in rural, exurban, and suburban
areas; and
(B) seek to maximize the number of students who
work in such areas after completing such program.
(3) Outreach to local workforce development boards for the
purpose of reaching nontraditional student populations and
prioritizing local needs.
(d) Application Requirements.--An eligible entity seeking a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary
may require.
(e) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary
shall give priority to eligible entities that demonstrate outreach
efforts targeted at increasing program enrollment for rural, first
generation, minority, and nontraditional students, or other students
from underrepresented population.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $5,000,000 to carry out this section for each of the
fiscal years 2021 through 2025.
SEC. 3. STUDENT SUPPORT GRANT PROGRAM FOR EXPANDED ACADEMIC ADVISING.
(a) In General.--From the amounts appropriated under subsection
(g), the Secretary of Education shall provide grants to eligible
entities for the activities described in subsection (d).
(b) Amounts.--The total grant amount made to an eligible entity
under this section may not exceed $500,000.
(c) Multiple Grants Permitted.--An eligible entity may receive a
grant under sections 2 and 3.
(d) Use of Grants.--
(1) In general.--An eligible entity that receives a grant
under this section shall use such grant for advising and
support services to enrollees of construction and
manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship programs
offered by such entity to increase retention and persistence
for students.
(2) Requirements.--Such advising and support services shall
include the following:
(A) Expanding academic advising programs that
provide services to students, including the following:
(i) Career advising and professional
development.
(ii) Support for English as a second
language students.
(iii) Information and resource systems.
(iv) Mentoring systems.
(v) Other such programs.
(B) Expanding student support programs that provide
services to students, including the following:
(i) Health and family-related services,
including substance abuse disorder and mental
health counseling.
(ii) Support for first-generation students.
(iii) Childcare support.
(iv) Other such programs.
(v) In the case of an eligible entity that
is a construction and manufacturing-oriented
registered apprenticeship program, maintaining
its accreditation by a nationally recognized
accrediting agency or association recognized by
the Secretary of Education pursuant to part H
of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1099a et seq.),
(e) Application Requirements.--An eligible entity seeking a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary
may require.
(f) Report.--
(1) In general.--An eligible entity that receives a grant
under this section shall submit to the Secretary a report on--
(A) the activities supported by the grant;
(B) the number of students participating in the
activities supported by the grant;
(C) any progress made in achieving the goals of the
program supported by the grant, in general, and
measuring in particular--
(i) the effectiveness of the grant in
expanding overall enrollment and program
completion rates; and
(ii) the effectiveness of the grant in
expanding enrollment and program completion
rates for underrepresented populations; and
(D) such other information as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate.
(2) Timeline for submission of report.--The report under
paragraph (1) shall be submitted to the Secretary not later
than 180 days after the date on which the eligible entity
concludes the activities supported by the grant under this
section.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of the
fiscal years 2021 through 2025.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Construction and manufacturing-oriented apprenticeship
college.--The term ``construction and manufacturing-oriented
apprenticeship college'' means--
(A) an institution of higher education that is a
sponsor of a construction and manufacturing-oriented
registered apprenticeship program; or
(B) a construction and manufacturing-oriented
registered apprenticeship program.
(2) Construction and manufacturing-oriented registered
apprenticeship program.--The term ``construction and
manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship program''
means a registered apprenticeship program that--
(A) provides coursework and training in preparation
for employment in the construction or manufactory
industry (such as employment as a painter, drywall
finisher, glazier, or glassworker);
(B)(i) leads to a recognized postsecondary
credential other than a certificate of completion of an
apprenticeship; or
(ii) awards credits that can be applied toward a
recognized postsecondary credential; and
(C) is accredited by a nationally recognized
accrediting agency or association recognized by the
Secretary of Education pursuant to part H of title IV
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099a et
seq.).
(3) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a
construction and manufacturing-oriented apprenticeship college.
(4) First generation college student.--The term ``first
generation college student'' has the meaning given the term in
section 402A(h) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1070a-11(h)).
(5) High school.--The term ``high school'' has the meaning
given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(6) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)).
(7) Outreach.--The term ``outreach'' means communications
and relationship-building opportunities undertaken by an
eligible entity.
(8) Recognized postsecondary credential.--The term
``recognized postsecondary credential'' has the meaning given
the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
(9) Registered apprenticeship program.--The term
``registered apprenticeship program'' means an apprenticeship
program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly
known as the ``National Apprenticeship Act''; 50 Stat. 664,
chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.).
(10) Second language.--The term ``second language'' means
any language other than English, including Braille and American
Sign Language.
(11) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Education.
(12) Underrepresented population.--The term
``underrepresented population'' means an individual who is from
a group whose gender, ethnic background, or national origin is
not traditionally represented in registered apprenticeship
programs.
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