,i #aacth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #deia ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,may #g1 #bjad ,mr4 ,barrow of ,georgia introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,education and the ,workforce1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,ways and ,means1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to establish a national strategy for identifying job training needs to increase opportunities for technical school training and promote hiring4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,workforce ,investment and ,job ,creation ,act4 #b4 ,identifying ,job ,training ,needs 7a7 ,strategy report 7#a7 ,strategy report required ,the ,secretary of ,labor 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 training4 7#b7 ,goals of the strategy report ,the strategy report required by paragraph 7#a7 shall include specific recommendations to achieve the following goals3 7,a7 ,to increase the aggregate number of employers and employees participating in on-the-job training and apprenticeships4 7,b7 ,to determine ways in which the ,department of ,labor can increase employer outreach to encourage new and expanded employer participation in education and workforce training4 7,c7 ,to identify and prioritize industry-recognized postsecondary credentials that are nationally portable and aligned with in-demand occupations in industries such as construction1 manufacturing1 and others that are emerging4 7,d7 ,to determine ways in which the ,department of ,labor can better address the skills gap by maximizing existing resources1 programs1 and personnel4 7#c7 ,analysis required ,as part of the strategy report under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall1 at a minimum1 include the following3 7,a7 ,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 training4 7,b7 ,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 paragraph 7#b74 7,c7 ,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 goals4 7,d7 ,an analysis of the specific barriers preventing the domestic workforce from acquiring the skills desired by domestic employers1 including an assessment of opportunities to reduce those barriers by-- 7i7 improving coordination between ,federal agencies that administer employment and training programs2 and 7ii7 modifying ,federal employment and training programs to enable ,states to better utilize ,federal employment and training funds4 7#d7 ,recommendations ,the ,secretary shall include in the skills gap strategy report required under paragraph 7#a7 recommendations for achieving the goals included in the strategy pursuant to paragraph 7#b74 ,such recommendations may include proposals as follows3 7,a7 ,actions that may be taken by the ,federal ,government1 ,congress1 ,state1 local and territorial governments1 the private sector1 universities1 industry associations1 and other stakeholders to improve policies1 coordination1 and interaction between such entities1 including strategies and best practices to-- 7i7 boost public-private partnerships and employer-led partnerships2 and 7ii7 help establish regional industry partnerships4 7,b7 ,adoption of strategies that have been implemented and proven successful in key industries and regions in the ,united ,states and in other countries4 7,c7 ,in coordination with the ,secretary of ,commerce and the ,secretary of ,education1 develop plans that identify strategies-- 7i7 for increased employer participation in career and technical education2 7ii7 to better align career and technical education curriculums and programs with fast growing industry sectors2 7iii7 to encourage more pre-apprenticeship and college credit courses in secondary schools2 7iv7 to improve school-to-work transitions and connections2 and 7v7 to assist employers in partnering with elementary schools1 secondary schools1 and institutions of higher education4 7#e7 ,submittal of strategy report ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress the strategy report developed under this subsection4 7#f7 ,implementation ,the ,secretary may implement the recommendations under paragraph 7#d7 as the ,secretary determines appropriate1 if otherwise permitted under law4 7b7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,,esea terms ,the terms elementary school and secondary school have the meanings given such terms in section #iaja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7#b7 ,industry-recognized ,the term industry-recognized1 as used with respect to a credential1 means a credential that-- 7,a7 is sought or accepted by employers within the industry sector involved as recognized1 preferred1 or required for recruitment1 screening1 hiring1 or advancement2 7,b7 is endorsed by a recognized trade or professional association or organization1 representing a significant part of the industry sector2 and 7,c7 is a nationally portable credential that is sought or accepted across multiple ,states1 as described in subparagraph 7,a74 7#c7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section #ajb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjb74 7#d7 ,recognized postsecondary credential ,the term recognized postsecondary credential means a credential consisting of an industry-recognized credential for postsecondary training1 a certificate that meets the requirements of subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,c7 of paragraph 7#a7 for postsecondary training1 a certificate of completion of a postsecondary apprenticeship through a program described in section #abb7;a77#b77;,b7 of the ,workforce ,investment ,act of #aiih 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #bhdb7;a77#b77;,b771 or an associate degree or baccalaureate degree awarded by an institution of higher education 7as defined in section #aja7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja7;a7774 7#e7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,labor4 7#f7 ,skills gap ,the term skills gap refers to the difference1 or gap1 between the current supply of labor and skills of the workforce and that which is desired by employers4 #c4 ,technical school training subsidy program ,section #aga of the ,workforce ,investment ,act of #aiih 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #biaf7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7f7 ,technical school training subsidy pilot program 7#a7 ,establishment of ,technical ,school ,training ,subsidy ,pilot program ,from the amounts appropriated to carry out this subsection1 the ,secretary shall award competitive grants to ,states to provide such funds to local boards for the provision of technical school training subsidies in local areas through one-stop delivery systems described in section #acd7;c74 7#b7 ,application ,to receive a grant under this subsection a ,state shall submit to the ,secretary an application in such manner1 at such time1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7#c7 ,qualifications and ,requirements for subsidy 7,a7 ,in general ,a technical school training subsidy for an academic year may be provided1 in accordance with subparagraph 7,e71 to a technical school on behalf of an unemployed individual who is enrolled1 or accepted for enrollment1 at a technical school4 7,b7 ,amount of subsidy 7i7 ,considerations ,in determining the amount of a subsidy to provide to an unemployed individual under this subsection1 a one-stop operator or one-stop partner1 as appropriate1 shall take into account-- 7,i7 the cost of tuition of such individual2 7,,ii7 the expected family contribution1 as determined in accordance with section #dgd of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgnn71 for such individual2 and 7,,iii7 the estimated financial assistance for such individual not received under this subsection4 7ii7 ,aggregate amount ,the aggregate amount of subsidies an individual may receive under this subsection may not exceed #b1jjj4 7,c7 ,number of subsidies ,an individual may receive subsidies under this subsection for not more than #b academic years4 7,d7 ,use of funds ,a subsidy an individual receives under this subsection shall be used to assist the individual in paying the cost of tuition for career and technical education at a technical school4 ,all subsidies received by an individual under this subsection shall be used to pay the cost of tuition for career and technical education at the same technical school4 7,e7 ,provision of subsidy ,upon approving an unemployed individual for a subsidy under this subsection1 a one-stop operator or one-stop partner1 as appropriate1 shall provide1 prior to the start of an academic year1 the subsidy to the technical school in which the unemployed individual is enrolled or accepted for enrollment4 7#d7 ,definitions ,in this subsection-- 7,a7 ,the term career and technical education has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,carl ,d4 ,perkins ,career and ,technical ,education ,act of #bjjf 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #bcjb74 7,b7 ,the term cost of tuition means-- 7i7 tuition and fees normally assessed a student carrying the same academic workload as determined by the technical school1 and including costs for rental or purchase of any equipment1 materials1 or supplies required of all students in the same course of study2 and 7ii7 an allowance for books and supplies1 for a student attending the technical school on at least a half-time basis1 as determined by the school4 7,c7 ,the term technical school means a postsecondary vocational institution that provides career and technical education4 7,d7 ,the term postsecondary vocational institution has the meaning given the term in section #ajb7;c7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjb7;c774 7,e7 ,the term unemployed individual means an unemployed individual who is a citizen of the ,united ,states4 4 #d4 ,tax ,credits for ,new ,hires 7a7 ,credit for increasing employment ,subpart ,c of part ,,iv of subchapter ,a of chapter #a of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf 7relating to refundable credits7 is amended by inserting after section #cf;,b the following new section3 #cf;,c4 ,credit for increasing employment 7a7 ,in general ,there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this subtitle-- 7#a7 for any taxable year beginning in #bjad1 an amount equal to #fj percent of the excess of-- 7,a7 the aggregate wages paid during #bjad1 over 7,b7 the aggregate wages paid during #bjac1 and 7#b7 for any taxable year beginning in #bjae1 an amount equal to #dj percent of the excess of-- 7,a7 the aggregate wages paid during #bjae1 over 7,b7 the aggregate inflation-adjusted wages paid during #bjad4 7b7 ,maximum credit ,the amount of the credit allowable under this section for any employer with respect to any calendar year shall not exceed #ejj1jjj4 7c7 ,minimum preceding year wages ,for purposes of subsection 7a7-- 7#a7 the amount taken into account under paragraph 7#a77;,b7 thereof shall not be less than #ej percent of the amount described in paragraph 7#a77;,a7 thereof1 and 7#b7 the amount taken into account under paragraph 7#b77;,b7 thereof shall not be less than #ej percent of the amount described in paragraph 7#b77;,a7 thereof4 7d7 ,total wages must increase ,the amount of credit allowed under this section for any taxable year shall not exceed the amount which would be so allowed for such year 7without regard to subsection 7c77 if-- 7#a7 the aggregate amounts taken into account as wages were determined without any dollar limitation1 and 7#b7 #ajc percent of the amount of wages otherwise required to be taken into account under subsection 7a77#a77;,b7 or subsection 7a77#b77;,b71 as the case may be1 were taken into account4 7e7 ,wages2 inflation-,adjusted wages ,for purposes of this section3 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 the term wages has the meaning given to such term by section #ccjf7;b74 7#b7 ,railway and agricultural labor ,rules similar to the rules of section #ea7;h7 shall apply for purposes of this section4 7#c7 ,inflation-adjusted wages ,the term inflation-adjusted wages means the aggregate wages paid during #bjad increased by an amount equal to-- 7,a7 such aggregate wages1 multiplied by 7,b7 the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section #a7;f77#c7 for #bjad1 determined by substituting calendar year #bjab for calendar year #aiib in subparagraph 7,b7 thereof4 ,any increase determined under the preceding sentence shall be rounded in such manner as the ,secretary shall prescribe4 7f7 ,special rules 7#a7 ,adjustments for certain acquisitions1 etc 7,a7 ,acquisitions ,if1 after ,december #ca1 #bjab1 an employer acquires the major portion of a trade or business of another person 7hereinafter in this subparagraph referred to as the predecessor7 or the major portion of a separate unit of a trade or business of a predecessor1 then1 for purposes of applying this section for any calendar year ending after such acquisition1 the amount of wages deemed paid by the employer during periods before such acquisition shall be increased by so much of such wages paid by the predecessor with respect to the acquired trade or business as is attributable to the portion of such trade or business acquired by the employer4 7,b7 ,dispositions ,if1 after ,december #ca1 #bjab-- 7i7 an employer disposes of the major portion of any trade or business of the employer or the major portion of a separate unit of a trade or business of the employer in a transaction to which subparagraph 7,a7 applies1 and 7ii7 the employer furnishes the acquiring person such information as is necessary for the application of subparagraph 7,a71 then1 for purposes of applying this section for any calendar year ending after such disposition1 the amount of wages deemed paid by the employer during periods before such disposition shall be decreased by so much of such wages as is attributable to such trade or business or separate unit4 7#b7 ,change in status from self-employed to employee ,if-- 7,a7 during #bjac or #bjad an individual has net earnings from self-employment 7as defined in section #adjb7;a77 which are attributable to a trade or business1 and 7,b7 for any portion of the succeeding calendar year such individual is an employee of such trade or business1 then1 for purposes of determining the credit allowable for a taxable year beginning in such succeeding calendar year1 the employer's aggregate wages for #bjac or #bjad1 as the case may be1 shall be increased by an amount equal to so much of the net earnings referred to in subparagraph 7,a7 as does not exceed the median household income in the ,united ,states for #bjac or #bjad1 as the case may be4 7#c7 ,certain other rules to apply ,rules similar to the following rules shall apply for purposes of this section3 7,a7 ,section #ea7;f7 7relating to remuneration must be for trade or business employment74 7,b7 ,section #ea7;i77#a7 7relating to related individuals ineligible74 7,c7 ,section #ea7k7 7relating to treatment of successor employers2 treatment of employees performing services for other persons74 7,d7 ,section #eb 7relating to special rules74 7#d7 ,short taxable years ,if the employer has more than #a taxable year beginning in #bjad or #bjae1 the credit under this section shall be determined for the employer's last taxable year beginning in #bjad or #bjae1 as the case may be4 4 7b7 ,denial of double benefit ,subsection 7a7 of section #bhj;,c of such ,code is amended by inserting #cf;,c7a71 before #de;,a7a74 7c7 ,conforming amendments 7#a7 ,section #acbd7;b77#b7 of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting #cf;,c1 after #cf;,b14 7#b7 ,the table of sections for subpart ,c of part ,,iv of subchapter ,a of chapter #a of such ,code is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #cf;,b the following new item3 ,sec4 #cf;,c4 ,credit for increasing employment44 7d7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after ,december #ca1 #bjac4