,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #ihi ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,february #f1 #bjai,ms4 ,bonamici 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,ferguson1 ,mrs4 ,davis of ,california1 and ,mr4 ,guthrie7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,education and ,labor1 and in addition to the ,committee on the ,judiciary1 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 promote registered apprenticeships and other work-based learning programs for small and medium-sized businesses within in-demand industry sectors1 through the establishment and support of industry or sector partnerships4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,promoting ,apprenticeships through ,regional ,training ,networks for ,employers ,required ,skills ,act of #bjai or the ,,partners ,act4 #b4 ,purpose ,the purpose of this ,act is to promote registered apprenticeships and other work-based learning programs for small and medium-sized businesses within in-demand industry sectors1 through the establishment and support of industry or sector partnerships4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,eligible partnership ,the term eligible partnership means an industry or sector partnership as defined in section #c of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb7 that submits and obtains approval of an application consistent with section #e7;c74 7#b7 ,in-demand industry sector ,the term in-demand industry sector means a sector described in subparagraphs 7,a77i7 and 7,b7 of section #c7bc7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb7bc774 7#c7 ,local or regional ,the term local or regional1 used with respect to an entity1 means that the entity provides services in1 respectively1 a local area or region4 7#d7 ,registered apprenticeship ,the term registered apprenticeship means an apprenticeship registered under the ,act of ,august #af1 #aicg 7commonly known as the ,national ,apprenticeship ,act2 #ej ,stat4 #ffd1 chapter #ffc2 #bi ,u4,s4,c4 #ej et seq474 7,a7 ,in general ,the term work-based learning program means a program that provides workers with paid work experience and corresponding classroom instruction1 delivered in an employment relationship that both the business and worker intend to lead to continuing employment after the program ends4 7,b7 ,work experience ,in subparagraph 7,a71 the term paid work experience includes training by an employer that is provided to a paid employee while engaged in productive work in a job that provides knowledge or skills essential to the full and adequate performance of the job4 7#e7 ,workforce terms ,the terms ,governor1 individual with a barrier to employment1 industry or sector partnership1 local area1 local board1 ,state board1 outlying area1 recognized postsecondary credential1 region1 ,state1 and supportive services1 used with respect to activities supported under this ,act1 have the meanings given the terms in section #c of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb74 7#f7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,labor4 #d4 ,availability of funds ,from funds paid into the general fund of the ,treasury and available under section #bhf7s77#b7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #acef7s77#b771 the ,secretary shall carry out this ,act4 #e4 ,allotments to states 7a7 ,reservation ,of the amounts available for this ,act under section #d1 the ,secretary may reserve-- 7#a7 not more than #e percent of those amounts for the costs of technical assistance and ,federal administration of this ,act2 7#b7 not more than #b percent of those amounts for the costs of evaluations conducted under section #h7;b72 and 7#c7 not more than #a_/d of #a percent of such amounts to provide assistance to the outlying areas4 7b7 ,allotments 7#a7 ,in general ,of the amounts available for this ,act under section #d that remain after the ,secretary makes the reservations under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall1 for the purpose of supporting 7which may include assistance in establishing expanded7 local or regional eligible partnerships to support work-based learning programs under this ,act1 make allotments to eligible ,states in accordance with clauses 7ii7 through 7v7 of section #acb7;b77#a77;,b7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cafb7;b77#a77;,c771 subject to paragraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,application ,for purposes of applying the clauses described in paragraph 7#a71 under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary-- 7,a7 shall not apply subclauses 7,i7 and 7,,iii7 of clause 7iv7 with respect to the first fiscal year after the date of enactment of this ,act2 7,b7 shall apply clause 7iv77,,ii7 by substituting #j4e percent of the remaining amounts described in paragraph 7#a7 for the total described in that clause2 7,c7 shall not apply clause 7iv77,,iv72 7,d7 shall apply clause 7v77,,ii7 by substituting the term allotment percentage1 used with respect to the second full fiscal year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 or a subsequent fiscal year1 means a percentage of the remaining amounts described in paragraph 7#a7 that is received through an allotment made under this subsection for the fiscal year for the two sentences in that clause2 and 7,e7 shall apply clause 7v77,,iii7 by substituting a work-based learning program carried out under this ,act for a program of workforce investment activities carried out under this subtitle4 7#c7 ,use of unallotted funds ,if a ,state fails to meet the requirements for an allotment under this subsection1 the ,secretary may allot funds that are not allotted under paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 to eligible ,states under a formula based on the formula specified in section #acb7;c7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cagc7;c774 7#d7 ,definition ,in this subsection1 the term eligible ,state means a ,state that meets the requirements of section #ajb or #ajc of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #caab1 #caac7 and subsection 7c74 7c7 ,state eligibility ,to be eligible to receive an allotment under subsection 7b71 a ,state1 in consultation with ,state boards and local boards1 shall submit an application to the ,secretary1 at such time1 in such manner1 and containing a description of the activities to be carried out with the grant funds4 ,at a minimum1 the application shall include information on-- 7#a7 the local or regional industry or sector partnerships that will be supported1 including the lead partners for the partnerships1 and how the partnerships will work to engage small and medium-sized businesses1 as applicable1 in the activities of the partnerships2 7#b7 the in-demand industry sectors that will be served1 including how such industry sectors were identified1 and how the activities of the partnerships will align with ,state1 regional1 and local plans as required under title ,i of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #caaa et seq472 7#c7 the registered apprenticeship programs or other work-based learning programs to be supported though the partnerships2 7#d7 the populations that will receive services1 including individuals with barriers to employment and populations that were historically underrepresented in the industry sectors to be served through the partnerships2 7#e7 the services1 including business engagement1 classroom instruction1 and support services 7including at least #f months of post-employment support services71 that will be supported through the grant funds2 7#f7 the recognized postsecondary credentials that workers will obtain through participation in the program and the quality of the program that leads to the credentials2 7#g7 levels of performance to be achieved on the performance indicators described in section #h1 to measure progress towards expanding work-based learning programs2 7#h7 how local or regional partnerships will leverage additional resources1 including funding provided under title ,i of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #caaa et seq47 and non-,federal resources1 to support the activities carried out under this ,act2 and 7#i7 such other subjects as the ,secretary may require4 7d7 ,review of applications ,the ,secretary shall review applications submitted under subsection 7c7 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,education and the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services4 #f4 ,grants to partnerships 7a7 ,grants 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,governor of a ,state that receives an allotment under section #e shall use the funds made available through the allotment and not reserved under subsection 7d7 to award grants to eligible partnerships4 ,the ,governor shall award the grants for the purpose of assisting 7which may include establishing or expanding7 local or regional industry or sector partnerships that are identified in the application submitted under section #e7;c71 to carry out activities described in section #g4 7#b7 ,period and amount of grant ,a ,state may make a grant under this section for a period of #c years1 and in an amount of not more than #ejj1jjj4 7#c7 ,availability of funds ,the ,governor of a ,state that receives an allotment under section #e for a fiscal year may use the funds made available through the allotment during that year or the #b subsequent fiscal years4 7b7 ,eligibility ,to be eligible to receive a grant under this section1 an industry or sector partnership described in subsection 7a77#a7 shall-- 7#a7 submit an application to the ,state at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,state may require2 and 7#b7 designate a partner in the industry or sector partnership1 to serve as the fiscal agent for purposes of the grant4 7c7 ,awards of grants 7#a7 ,participation in multiple eligible partnerships ,subject to paragraph 7#b71 a ,state may award grants under this section in a way that results in an entity being represented in more than one partnership that receives such a grant4 7#b7 ,geographic diversity ,in making the grants1 a ,state shall ensure that there is geographic diversity in the areas in which activities will be carried out under the grants4 7d7 ,administration ,the ,state may reserve not more than #e percent of the amount of an allotment under section #e for the administration of the grants awarded under this section4 #g4 ,use of funds 7a7 ,in general ,an eligible partnership that receives a grant under section #f shall use the grant funds to support a registered apprenticeship or other work-based learning program4 ,the eligible partnership shall use the grant funds to support the activities described in subsections 7b7 and 7c7 and such other strategies as may be necessary to support the development and implementation of work-based learning programs1 and participant retention in and completion of those programs4 ,the partnership may use the grant funds to establish or expand eligible partnerships4 7b7 ,business engagement ,the eligible partnership shall use grant funds to provide services to engage businesses in work-based learning programs1 which may include assisting a small or medium-sized business with-- 7#a7 the navigation of the registration process for a sponsor of a registered apprenticeship program2 7#b7 the connection of the business with an education provider to develop classroom instruction to complement on-the-job learning2 7#c7 the development of a curriculum for a work-based learning program2 7#d7 the employment of workers in a work-based learning program for a transitional period before the business hires an individual for continuing employment2 7#e7 the provision of training to managers and front-line workers to serve as trainers or mentors to workers in the work-based learning program2 7#f7 the provision of career awareness activities2 and 7#g7 the recruitment of individuals to participate in a work-based learning program from individuals receiving additional workforce and human services1 including-- 7,a7 workers in programs under the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #caja et seq472 7,b7 recipients of assistance through the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq472 and 7,c7 recipients of assistance through the program of block grants to ,states for temporary assistance for needy families established under part ,a of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fja et seq474 7c7 ,support services for workers 7#a7 ,in general ,the eligible partnership shall use grant funds to provide support services for workers to assure their success in work-based learning programs1 which may include-- 7,a7 connection of individuals with adult basic education during pre-work-based learning or training1 and during the period of employment2 7,b7 connection of individuals with pre-work-based learning or training1 including through a pre-apprenticeship program2 7,c7 provision of additional mentorship and retention supports for individuals pre-work-based learning or training1 and during the period of employment2 7,d7 provision of tools1 work attire1 and other required items necessary to start employment pre-work-based learning or training1 and during the period of employment2 and 7,e7 provision of transportation1 child care services1 or other support services pre-work-based learning or training1 and during the period of employment4 7#b7 ,length of services ,each eligible partnership shall provide support services for workers for not less than #ab months after the date of placement of an individual in a work-based learning program4 ,that #ab-month period shall include a period of pre-work-based learning or training1 a transitional period of employment as described in subsection 7b77#d71 and a period of continuing employment4 #h4 ,performance and accountability 7a7 ,local reports ,not later than #a year after receiving a grant under section #f1 and annually thereafter1 each eligible partnership in a ,state shall conduct an evaluation and submit to the ,state a local report containing information on-- 7#a7 levels of performance achieved by the eligible partnership with respect to the performance indicators under section #aaf7;b77#b77;,a7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cada7;b77#b77;,a77-- 7,a7 for all workers in the work-based learning program involved2 and 7,b7 for all such workers1 disaggregated by each population specified in section #c7bd7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb7bd77 and by race1 ethnicity1 sex1 and age2 and 7#b7 levels of performance achieved by the eligible partnership with respect to the performance indicators under that section #aaf7;b77#b77;,a7-- 7,a7 for individuals with barriers to employment in the work-based learning program involved2 and 7,b7 for all such individuals1 disaggregated by each population specified in section #c7bd7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act and by race1 ethnicity1 sex1 and age4 7b7 ,state reports ,not later than #bd months after receiving initial local reports under subsection 7a7 7but in no case less than #ah months after the corresponding grants are awarded7 and annually thereafter1 the ,state shall conduct an evaluation and submit a report to the ,secretary containing-- 7#a7 the information provided by the eligible partnerships through the local reports2 and 7#b7 the ,state level of performance1 aggregated across all eligible partnerships1 with respect to the performance indicators described in subsection 7a74 #i4 ,conforming amendments 7a7 ,american competitiveness and workforce improvement act of #aiih ,section #dad7;c7 of the ,american ,competitiveness and ,workforce ,improvement ,act of #aiih 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #biaf;a7 is repealed4 7b7 ,immigration and nationality act ,section #bhf7s77#b7 of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #acef7s77#b77 is amended to read as follows3 7#b7 ,use of fees for work-based learning programs #ej percent of amounts deposited into the ,h-#a;,b ,nonimmigrant ,petitioner ,account shall remain available to the ,secretary of ,labor until expended to carry out the ,,partners ,act4 4