H.R. 4541 — Introduced in House

I 113th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4541 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 1, 2014 Mr. Cartwright (for himself, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and Ms. Norton) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce A BILL To direct the Secretary of Labor to develop a strategy report to address the skills gap by providing recommendations to increase on-the-job training and apprenticeship opportunities, increase employer participation in education and workforce training, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Skills Gap Strategy Act of 2014. 2. Strategy report (a) Strategy report required The Secretary shall develop and submit to Congress a strategy report to address the skills gap by providing analysis and recommendations to increase on-the-job training and apprenticeship opportunities and increase employer participation in education and workforce training. (b) Goals of the strategy report The strategy report required by subsection (a) shall include specific recommendations to achieve the following goals: (1) To increase the aggregate number of employers and employees participating in on-the-job training and apprenticeships. (2) To determine ways in which the Department of Labor can increase employer outreach to encourage new and expanded employer participation in education and workforce training. (3) To identify and prioritize industry-recognized postsecondary credentials that are nationally portable and aligned with in-demand occupations in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and others that are emerging. (4) To determine ways in which the Department of Labor can better address the skills gap by maximizing existing resources, programs, and personnel. (c) Analysis required As part of the strategy report under subsection (a), the Secretary shall, at a minimum, include the following: (1) A comparison of United States on-the-job training and apprenticeship policies and strategies with the policies and strategies of other countries where employers play a larger role in education and workforce training. (2) An assessment of the Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship program to determine how it can be better utilized to appeal to more industries and to boost the goals described in subsection (b). (3) An evaluation of any existing or potential opportunities within the Department of Labor to refocus or repurpose resources and personnel to better support on-the-job training and apprenticeship goals. (4) An analysis of the specific barriers preventing the domestic workforce from acquiring the skills desired by domestic employers, including an assessment of opportunities to reduce those barriers by— (A) improving coordination between Federal agencies that administer employment and training programs; and (B) modifying Federal employment and training programs to enable States to better utilize Federal employment and training funds. (d) Recommendations The Secretary shall include in the skills gap strategy report required under subsection (a) recommendations for achieving the goals included in the strategy pursuant to subsection (b). Such recommendations may include proposals as follows: (1) Actions that may be taken by the Federal Government, Congress, State, local and territorial governments, the private sector, universities, industry associations, and other stakeholders to improve policies, coordination, and interaction between such entities, including strategies and best practices to— (A) boost public-private partnerships and employer-led partnerships; and (B) help establish regional industry partnerships. (2) Adoption of strategies that have been implemented and proven successful in key industries and regions in the United States and in other countries. (3) In coordination with the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Education, develop plans that identify strategies— (A) for increased employer participation in career and technical education; (B) to better align career and technical education curriculums and programs with fast growing industry sectors; (C) to encourage more pre-apprenticeship and college credit courses in secondary schools; (D) to improve school-to-work transitions and connections; and (E) to assist employers in partnering with K–12 schools, community colleges, and service providers. (e) Submittal of strategy report Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress the strategy report developed under this section. (f) Implementation The Secretary may implement the recommendations under subsection (d) as the Secretary determines appropriate, if otherwise permitted under law. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Industry recognized The term industry-recognized, as used with respect to a credential, means a credential that— (A) is sought or accepted by employers within the industry sector involved as recognized, preferred, or required for recruitment, screening, hiring, or advancement; (B) is endorsed by a recognized trade or professional association or organization, representing a significant part of the industry sector; and (C) is a nationally portable credential that is sought or accepted across multiple States, as described in subparagraph (A). (2) Recognized postsecondary credential The term recognized postsecondary credential means a credential consisting of an industry-recognized credential for postsecondary training, a certificate that meets the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (C) of paragraph (1) for postsecondary training, a certificate of completion of a postsecondary apprenticeship through a program described in section 122(a)(2)(B) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2842(a)(2)(B)), or an associate degree or baccalaureate degree awarded by an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))). (3) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Labor. (4) Skills gap The term skills gap refers to the difference, or gap, between the current supply of labor and skills of the workforce and that which is desired by employers.