[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6601 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6601
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to codify a
competitive grant program to build community colleges' capacity to
provide employment and training programs for in-demand industries or
occupations.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 5, 2023
Mrs. McBath (for herself, Mrs. Hayes, Mr. Bowman, Mr. Takano, and Mr.
Thompson of California) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to codify a
competitive grant program to build community colleges' capacity to
provide employment and training programs for in-demand industries or
occupations.
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 ``Training, Retention, And Investment
Now for a Better America Act'' or the ``TRAIN Act''.
SEC. 2. STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY COLLEGES TRAINING GRANTS PROGRAM.
Subtitle D of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (29 U.S.C. 3221 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 172 as section 173; and
(2) by inserting after section 171 the following:
``SEC. 172. STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY COLLEGES TRAINING GRANTS PROGRAM.
``(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
``(1) to establish, improve, or expand high-quality
educational or career training programs at community colleges;
and
``(2) to expand opportunities for individuals to obtain
recognized postsecondary credentials that are nationally or
regionally portable and stackable for high-wage, or in-demand
industry sectors or occupations.
``(b) Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants Program.--
``(1) In general.--From the amounts appropriated to carry
out this section under subsection (k) and not reserved under
paragraph (2), the Secretary shall, on a competitive basis,
make grants to eligible institutions to carry out the
activities described in subsection (e).
``(2) Reservation.--Of the amounts appropriated to carry
out this section under subsection (k), the Secretary may
reserve not more than two percent for the administration of
grants awarded under this section, including--
``(A) providing technical assistance and targeted
outreach to support eligible institutions serving a
high number or high percentage of low-income
individuals or individuals with barriers to employment,
and rural-serving eligible institutions, to provide
guidance and assistance in the process of applying for
grants under this section; and
``(B) evaluating and reporting on the performance
and impact of activities funded under this section in
accordance with subsections (f) through (h).
``(c) Award Periods.--
``(1) In general.--Each grant under this section shall be
awarded for a grant period of not more than 4 years.
``(2) Subsequent grants.--An eligible institution that
receives a grant for a 4-year grant period under this section
may receive one or more additional grants under this section
for periods of not more than 4 years, if the Secretary
determines that the eligible institution's performance with
respect to activities supported by each preceding grant
received under this section qualifies the institution for such
additional grant.
``(d) Application.--
``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this section, an eligible institution shall submit an
application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary may require.
``(2) Contents.--At a minimum, an application submitted by
an eligible institution under paragraph (1) shall include each
the following:
``(A) A description of the community college and
industry partnership to be established by the eligible
institution under subsection (e)(1), including--
``(i) the expected participation and
responsibilities of each of the partners
included in the community college and industry
partnership;
``(ii) evidence of such partnership's
capacity to carry out activities described in
subsection (e); and
``(iii) the methods and strategies the
partnership will use to engage with employers
in in-demand industry sectors or occupations.
``(B) A description of the industries or sectors to
be served by the activities to be carried out under the
grant, including--
``(i) how such industries or sectors will
be identified by the eligible institution
through working with businesses, industry
associations and organizations, labor
organizations, labor management organizations,
State boards, local boards, economic
development agencies, or other organizations
that the eligible institution determines
necessary; and
``(ii) data demonstrating such industries
or sectors are aligned with employer demand in
the geographic area to be served by the
eligible institution with such grant.
``(C) The extent to which the eligible institution
has prior experience in leading capacity building
projects, which demonstrates such institution's ability
to accomplish multi-pronged, complex projects and an
explanation of the results of any such projects.
``(D) The extent to which the eligible institution
can--
``(i) leverage additional resources to
support the education or career training
program, career pathway program, or work-based
learning program described in subsection
(e)(2)(A) to be funded with the grant; and
``(ii) demonstrate the future
sustainability of such program.
``(E) A description of each proposed program
referred to in subparagraph (D)(i) to be supported by
the grant, including--
``(i) whether such program--
``(I) is part of a career pathway;
and
``(II) includes an integrated
education and training;
``(ii) steps the eligible institution will
take to ensure the quality of such program; and
``(iii) the estimated number of individuals
to receive training under such program.
``(F) A description of any recognized postsecondary
credential that the eligible institution proposes to
offer or develop using such grant, and an assurance
that such credential shall be--
``(i) nationally portable;
``(ii) an industry recognized credential in
an industry that the eligible institution
proposes to support using the grant or, if not
available for such industry, another credential
determined by the Secretary to be appropriate;
and
``(iii) related to the in-demand industry
or sector that the eligible partnership
proposes to support using the grant, and
stackable with respect to other credentials.
``(G) A description of how each credential
described in subparagraph (F) is aligned with quality
job opportunities, including, with respect to such
opportunities--
``(i) the wage level, and whether such
wages support economic self-sufficiency;
``(ii) the availability of benefits, such
as paid time off, health insurance, and
retirement savings plan;
``(iii) the availability of predictable
work hours;
``(iv) the history of employer compliance
with Federal and State health, safety, and
employment standards; and
``(v) the opportunities for advancement
within an industry or sector, which may include
additional education and training opportunities
and mentorship.
``(H) The needs that will be addressed by the
community college and industry partnership supported by
the grant.
``(I) A description of the population and
geographic area to be served by the eligible
institution, including how--
``(i) such eligible institution will serve
unemployed individuals, low-income individuals,
dislocated workers, individuals with barriers
to employment, individuals with disabilities,
veterans, and women; and
``(ii) the programs described in subsection
(e) will support access and eliminate barriers
to training and employment for individuals
described under clause (i).
``(J) The evidence upon which the education and
training strategies to be used in the programs are
based and an explanation of how such evidence
influenced the design of the educational or training
programs to improve education and employment outcomes.
``(K) A description of the activities to be carried
out under the grant, and whether, and to what extent,
such activities are expected to align with the
workforce strategies identified in--
``(i) any State plan or local plan
submitted under this Act by the State, outlying
area, or locality in which the partnership is
expected to operate;
``(ii) any State plan submitted under
section 122 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C.
2342) by such State or outlying area; and
``(iii) any economic development plan of
the chief executive of such State or outlying
area.
``(L) The goals of the eligible institution with
respect to--
``(i) capacity building (as described in
subsection (f)(1)(B)); and
``(ii) the expected performance of
individuals participating in the programs to be
offered by the eligible institution, including
with respect to performance applicable under
section 116 or subsection (f) of this section.
``(3) Consideration of previous experience.--The Secretary
may not disqualify an otherwise eligible institution from
receiving a grant under this section solely because such
institution lacks previous experience in capacity building
projects, as described in subparagraph (2)(C).
``(4) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that will
use the grant to serve--
``(A) individuals with barriers to employment; or
``(B) incumbent workers who need to gain or improve
foundational skills to enhance their employability.
``(e) Uses of Funds.--
``(1) Community college and industry partnership.--For the
purpose of carrying out the activities specified in paragraphs
(2) and (3), an eligible institution that receives a grant
under this section shall establish a community college and
industry partnership, or continue an existing partnership, with
one or more employers in an in-demand industry sector or
occupation and shall maintain such partnership for the duration
of the grant period. The eligible institution shall ensure that
the partnership--
``(A) targets one or more specific in-demand
industry or sector;
``(B) supports industry recognized credentials that
are aligned with quality job opportunities;
``(C) includes collaboration with the workforce
development system;
``(D) serves adult and dislocated workers,
incumbent workers, and new entrants to the workforce;
``(E) uses an evidence-based program design that is
appropriate for the activities carried out by the
partnership; and
``(F) incorporates, to the extent appropriate,
virtual service delivery to facilitate technology-
enabled learning.
``(2) Required activities.--The partnership established by
the eligible institution under paragraph (1), shall--
``(A) establish, improve, or expand high quality,
evidence-based education or career training programs,
career pathway programs, or work-based learning
programs (including apprenticeship programs or pre-
apprenticeships that qualify an individual for
participation in an apprenticeship program) that are
aligned with industry recognized credentials and
quality job opportunities; and
``(B) use not less than 15 percent of the grant to
provide supportive services to individuals
participating in the programs funded with the grant to
facilitate retention and program completion, which may
include--
``(i) childcare, transportation, mental
health services, substance use disorder
prevention and treatment, and assistance in
obtaining health insurance coverage and
housing;
``(ii) assistance in accessing State and
Federal means-tested benefits programs;
``(iii) career navigation, coaching,
mentorship, and case management services,
including providing information and outreach to
individuals with barriers to employment to
encourage such individuals to participate in
programs funded with the grant; and
``(iv) providing access to course
materials, technological devices, required
equipment, and other supports necessary for
participation in and successful completion of
such programs.
``(3) Additional activities.--In addition to the activities
required under paragraph (2), the partnership established under
paragraph (1) shall carry out one or more of the following
activities:
``(A) Establish, improve, or expand--
``(i) articulation agreements (as defined
in section 486A(a) of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1093a(a)));
``(ii) credit transfer agreements;
``(iii) corequisite remediation programs
that enable a student to receive remedial
education services while enrolled in a
postsecondary course rather than requiring the
student to receive remedial education before
enrolling in a such a course;
``(iv) dual or concurrent enrollment
programs;
``(v) competency-based education and
assessment; or
``(vi) policies and processes to award
academic credit for prior learning or for the
programs described in paragraph (2).
``(B) Make available, in a format that is open,
searchable, and easily comparable, information on--
``(i) curricula and recognized
postsecondary credentials offered through
programs funded with the grant, including any
curricula or credentials created or further
developed using such grant;
``(ii) the skills or competencies developed
by individuals who participate in such
programs; and
``(iii) related employment and earnings
outcomes.
``(C) Establish or implement plans for providers of
the programs described in paragraph (2) to meet the
criteria and carry out the procedures necessary to be
included on the eligible training services provider
list described in section 122(d).
``(D) Purchase, lease, or refurbish specialized
equipment as necessary to carry out such programs.
``(E) Reduce or eliminate unmet financial need
relating to participants' cost of attendance (as
defined under section 472 of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087ll)) in such programs.
``(4) Administrative cost limit.--An eligible institution
may use not more than 10 percent of the funds received under
this section for administrative costs, including costs related
to collecting information, analysis, and coordination for
purposes of subsection (f).
``(f) Performance Outcomes and Performance Reviews.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct an annual
performance review with respect to activities carried out under
this section, which shall include--
``(A) an assessment of outcomes of students who
participated in an education or training program
supported by a grant under this section, including
whether such students have proficient levels of
performance based on indicators described in section
116(b);
``(B) the extent to which the eligible
institution--
``(i) engaged employers and secured
investment in educational and training programs
in the in-demand industry sectors and
occupations targeted by the eligible
institution;
``(ii) utilized, designed, or implemented
new and accelerated instructional techniques or
technologies, including the use of advanced
online and technology-enabled learning; and
``(iii) supported program and policy
alignment across systems and addressed
duplicative services or service gaps; and
``(C) such other indicators of success as
determined by the Secretary.
``(2) Failure to meet proficient performance.--After
conducting a performance review under paragraph (1), if the
Secretary determines that an eligible institution did not
achieve proficient performance based on the criteria described
in such paragraph the Secretary shall--
``(A) provide technical assistance to the eligible
institution; and
``(B) develop a performance improvement plan for
the eligible institution.
``(g) Evaluations and Reports.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 5 years after the date on
which the first grant is made under this section, the Secretary
shall design and conduct an evaluation to determine the overall
effectiveness of the eligible institutions receiving a grant
under this section.
``(2) Elements.--The evaluation conducted under paragraph
(1) shall include an assessment of the general effectiveness of
programs and activities supported by grants awarded under this
section, including the extent to which the programs and
activities--
``(A) developed new or expanded existing successful
industry sector strategies, including the extent to
which such eligible institutions deepened employer
engagement and developed education and training
programs that met industry skill needs;
``(B) created, expanded, or enhanced career
pathways, including the extent to which the eligible
institutions developed or improved competency-based
education and assessment, credit for prior learning,
modularized and self-paced curricula, integrated
education and career training, dual enrollment in
secondary and postsecondary career pathways, stacked
and latticed credentials, and online and distance
learning;
``(C) created alignment between community colleges
and the workforce development system;
``(D) assisted individuals with finding, retaining,
or advancing in employment;
``(E) assisted individuals with earning recognized
postsecondary credentials;
``(F) served various demographic groups, including
people of different geographic locations, ages, races,
national origins, and sex; and
``(G) increased access to industry recognized
credentials and supported pathways to quality job
opportunities for individuals with barriers to
employment.
``(3) Design requirements.--The evaluation under this
subsection shall--
``(A) be designed by the Secretary (acting through
the Chief Evaluation Officer) in conjunction with the
eligible institutions being evaluated;
``(B) include analysis of participant feedback and
outcome and process measures; and
``(C) use designs that employ the most rigorous
analytical and statistical methods that are reasonably
feasible, such as the use of control groups.
``(4) Data accessibility.--The Secretary shall make
available on a publicly accessible website of the Department of
Labor any data collected as part of the evaluation under this
subsection. Such data shall be made available in an aggregated
format that does not reveal personally identifiable
information.
``(5) Publication and reporting of evaluation findings.--
The Secretary (acting through the Chief Evaluation Officer)
shall--
``(A) not later than one year after the initial
award of grants under this section, publish an interim
report on the preliminary results of the evaluation
conducted under this subsection;
``(B) not later than 60 days after the date on
which the evaluation is completed under this
subsection, submit to the Committee on Education and
the Workforce of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of
the Senate a report on such evaluation; and
``(C) not later than 90 days after such completion
date, publish and make the results of the evaluation
available on a publicly accessible website of the
Department of Labor.
``(h) Annual Reports.--The Secretary shall make available on a
publicly accessible website of the Department of Labor, in transparent,
linked, open, and interoperable data formats, the following
information:
``(1) The performance of eligible institution based on the
assessment of student outcomes described in subsection
(f)(1)(A).
``(2) The number of individuals enrolled in employment and
training activities funded with a grant under this section.
``(i) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Community college.--The term `community college'
means--
``(A) a public institution of higher education (as
defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act
(20 U.S.C. 1001(a)), at which--
``(i) the highest degree awarded is an
associate degree; or
``(ii) an associate degree is the most
frequently awarded degree;
``(B) a branch campus of a 4-year public
institution of higher education (as defined in section
101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001)), if, at such branch campus--
``(i) the highest degree awarded is an
associate degree; or
``(ii) an associate degree is the most
frequently awarded degree;
``(C) a 2-year Tribal College or University (as
defined in section 316(b)(3) of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)(3))); or
``(D) a degree-granting Tribal College or
University (as defined in section 316(b)(3) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)(3)))
at which--
``(i) the highest degree awarded is an
associate degree; or
``(ii) an associate degree is the most
frequently awarded degree.
``(2) Eligible institution.--The term `eligible
institution' means--
``(A) a community college;
``(B) a postsecondary vocational institution (as
defined in section 102(c) of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(c))); or
``(C) a consortium of such colleges or
institutions.
``(j) Supplement Not Supplant.--Funds made available under this
section shall be used to supplement, and not supplant other Federal,
State, and local public funds made available for carrying out the
activities described in this section.
``(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section--
``(1) $110,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
``(2) $121,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
``(3) $133,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
``(4) $146,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
``(5) $161,000,000 for fiscal year 2028; and
``(6) $176,000,000 for fiscal year 2029.''.
SEC. 3. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO THE TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The table of contents of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act in section 1(b) is amended--
(1) by striking the item relating to section 172; and
(2) by inserting after the item relating to section 171,
the following:
``Sec. 172. Strengthening community colleges training grants program.
``Sec. 173. Authorization of appropriations.''.
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