,,ii #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #aeag ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,may #af1 #bjai,mr4 ,kaine 7for himself and ,mr4 ,portman7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to require the ,secretary of ,labor to award grants for promoting industry or sector partnerships to encourage industry growth and competitiveness and to improve worker training1 retention1 and advancement as part of an infrastructure investment4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,building ,u4,s4 ,infrastructure by ,leveraging ,demands for ,skills or the ,,builds ,act4 #b4 ,purpose ,the purpose of this ,act is to promote industry or sector partnerships that engage in collaborative planning1 resource alignment1 and training efforts across multiple businesses1 for a range of workers employed or potentially employed by infrastructure industries1 in order to encourage industry growth and competitiveness and to improve worker training1 retention1 and advancement4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,career and technical education2 career guidance and academic counseling ,the terms career and technical education and career guidance and academic counseling have the meanings given such terms in section #c of the ,carl ,d4 ,perkins ,career and ,technical ,education ,act of #bjjf 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #bcjb74 7#b7 ,career pathway ,the term career pathway has the meaning given such term in section #c of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb74 7#c7 ,eligible partnership ,the term eligible partnership means a partnership that is an industry or sector partnership1 or 7with respect to an implementation grant7 a partnership that is in the process of establishing an industry or sector partnership4 7#d7 ,individual with a barrier to employment2 industry or sector partnership2 local board2 recognized postsecondary credential ,the terms individual with a barrier to employment1 industry or sector partnership1 local board1 and recognized postsecondary credential have the meanings given such terms in section #c of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act4 7#e7 ,registered apprenticeship program ,the term registered apprenticeship program has the meaning given such term in section #aga of such ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbbf74 7#f7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,labor4 7#g7 ,state2 state board ,the terms ,state and ,state board have the meanings given such terms in section #c of such ,act4 7#h7 ,targeted infrastructure industry ,the term targeted infrastructure industry means an industry1 including transportation 7including surface1 transit1 maritime1 aviation1 or railway transportation71 construction1 energy1 information technology1 or utilities industries1 that the eligible partnership identifies in accordance with section #e7;c7 to be served by a grant under this ,act4 7#i7 ,work-based learning program 7,a7 ,in general ,the term work-based learning program means a program 7which may be a registered apprenticeship program7 that provides workers with paid work experience and corresponding approved classroom instruction1 delivered in an employment relationship that both the employer and worker intend to lead to continuing employment after the program ends4 7,b7 ,paid 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 #d4 ,grants authorized 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,transportation1 the ,secretary of ,energy1 the ,secretary of ,commerce1 the ,secretary of ,education1 the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 and the ,chief of ,engineers and ,commanding ,general of the ,army ,corps of ,engineers1 shall award1 on a competitive basis1 grants to eligible entities to plan and implement activities to achieve the strategic objectives described in section #e7;d7 with respect to a targeted infrastructure industry4 7b7 ,grants 7#a7 ,types of grants ,a grant awarded under this ,act may be in the form of-- 7,a7 an implementation grant1 for entities seeking an initial grant under this ,act2 or 7,b7 a renewal grant for entities that have already received an implementation grant under this ,act4 7#b7 ,duration ,each grant awarded under this ,act shall be for a period not to exceed #c years4 7#c7 ,amount ,the amount of a grant awarded under this ,act may not exceed-- 7,a7 for an implementation grant1 #b1ejj1jjj2 and 7,b7 for a renewal grant1 #a1ejj1jjj4 7c7 ,award basis 7#a7 ,geographic diversity ,the ,secretary shall award grants under this ,act in a manner that ensures geographic diversity in the areas in which activities will be carried out under the grants4 7#b7 ,priority for renewal grants ,in awarding renewal grants under this ,act1 the ,secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that-- 7,a7 demonstrate long-term sustainability of an industry or sector partnership2 7,b7 demonstrate success in improving access and retention in work-based learning programs for workers with barriers to employment and those underrepresented in the infrastructure industry2 and 7,c7 provide a non-,federal share of the cost of the activities4 #e4 ,application process 7a7 ,in general ,an eligible partnership desiring a grant under this ,act shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require1 including the contents described in subsection 7b74 7b7 ,contents ,an application submitted under this ,act shall contain1 at a minimum-- 7#a7 a description of the eligible partnership1 evidence of the eligible partnership's capacity to carry out activities to achieve the strategic objectives described in subsection 7d71 and the expected participation and responsibilities of each of the partners included in the industry or sector partnership involved2 7#b7 a description of the targeted infrastructure industry served by the grant1 and a description of how such industry was identified in accordance with subsection 7c72 7#c7 a description of the workers that will be targeted or recruited by the partnership1 including an analysis of the existing labor market1 a description of potential barriers to employment for targeted workers1 and a description of strategies that will be employed to help workers overcome such barriers2 7#d7 a description of the local1 ,state1 or federally funded infrastructure projects on which the eligible partnership anticipates engaging partners2 7#e7 a description of the strategic objectives described in subsection 7d7 that the eligible partnership intends to achieve concerning the targeted infrastructure industry2 7#f7 a description of the credentials that the eligible partnership proposes to use or develop as a performance measure1 to assess the degree to which the eligible partnership has achieved such strategic objectives1 which credentials-- 7,a7 shall be nationally portable2 7,b7 shall be recognized postsecondary credentials or1 if not available for the industry1 other credentials determined by the ,secretary to be appropriate2 7,c7 shall be related to the targeted infrastructure industry that the eligible partnership proposes to support2 and 7,d7 may be credentials for a registered apprenticeship program2 7#g7 a description of the manner in which the eligible partnership intends to make sustainable progress towards achieving such strategic objectives2 7#h7 performance measures for measuring progress towards achieving such strategic objectives2 7#i7 a description of the ,federal and non-,federal resources1 available under provisions of law other than this ,act1 that will be leveraged in support of the partnerships and activities under this ,act2 and 7#aj7 a timeline for progress towards achieving such strategic objectives4 7c7 ,targeted infrastructure industry ,each grant under this ,act shall serve a targeted infrastructure industry that is identified by the eligible partnership through working with businesses1 industry associations and organizations1 labor organizations1 ,state boards1 local boards1 economic development agencies1 and other organizations that the eligible partnership determines necessary4 7d7 ,strategic objectives ,the activities to be carried out under each grant awarded under this ,act shall be designed to achieve strategic objectives that include the following3 7#a7 ,recruiting key stakeholders in the targeted infrastructure industry1 such as multiple businesses1 labor organizations1 local boards1 and education and training providers1 including providers of career and technical education1 and regularly convening the stakeholders in a collaborative structure that supports the sharing of information1 ideas1 and challenges common to the targeted infrastructure industry4 7#b7 ,supporting the training needs of multiple businesses in the targeted infrastructure industry1 including needs-- 7,a7 for skills critical to competitiveness and innovation in the industry2 7,b7 of the registered apprenticeship programs or other work-based learning programs supported by the grant2 and 7,c7 related to integrating career pathways4 7#c7 ,facilitating actions that lead to economies of scale by aggregating training and education needs of multiple businesses4 7#d7 ,helping postsecondary educational institutions1 training institutions1 sponsors of registered apprenticeship programs1 and all other providers of career and technical education and training programs receiving assistance under this ,act1 align curricula1 entrance requirements1 and programs to the targeted infrastructure industry needs and the credentials described in subsection 7b77#f71 particularly for higher skill1 high-priority occupations related to the targeted infrastructure industry4 7#e7 ,providing information on the grant activities to the ,state agency carrying out the ,state program under the ,wagner-,peyser ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #di et seq471 including staff of the agency that provide services under such ,act1 to enable the agency to inform recipients of unemployment compensation of the employment and training opportunities that may be offered through the grant activities4 7#f7 ,helping partner businesses in industry or sector partnerships to attract and retain workers from a diverse jobseeker base1 including individuals with barriers to employment and those underrepresented in their industry1 by identifying any such barriers through analysis of the labor market and implementing strategies to help such workers overcome such barriers4 7#g7 ,expanding the number of individuals with a barrier to employment who have access to training and education opportunities that are aligned with business needs1 and providing those workers with supports necessary to address the barrier to their employment4 #f4 ,activities 7a7 ,in general ,an eligible partnership receiving a grant under this ,act shall-- 7#a7 designate an entity in the industry or sector partnership as the fiscal agent for the grant funds2 and 7#b7 carry out activities described in subsections 7b7 7as applicable71 7c71 and 7d7 to achieve the strategic objectives identified in the partnership's application under section #e7;b77#e71 in a manner that integrates services and funding sources to ensure effectiveness of the activities and that uses the grant funds efficiently4 7b7 ,planning activities ,an eligible partnership receiving an implementation grant under this ,act shall use not more than #bej1jjj of the grant funds to carry out planning activities during the first year of the grant period4 ,such activities may include-- 7#a7 establishing the industry or sector partnership2 7#b7 convening key stakeholders as identified in the application process2 7#c7 conducting outreach to local businesses and business associations2 7#d7 conducting an evaluation of workforce needs in the local area2 or 7#e7 recruiting individuals with barriers to employment4 7c7 ,business engagement ,an eligible partnership receiving a grant under this ,act shall use the grant funds to provide services to engage businesses in efforts to achieve the strategic objectives identified in the partnership's application under section #e7;b77#e74 ,the services may include assisting businesses-- 7#a7 in navigating the registration process for a sponsor of a registered apprenticeship program2 7#b7 by connecting the business with an education provider1 including a provider of career and technical education1 to develop classroom instruction to complement on-the-job learning2 7#c7 in developing the curriculum design of a work-based learning program2 7#d7 in employing workers participating in a work-based learning program for a transitional period before a business hires the worker for full-time employment of not less than #cj hours a week2 7#e7 in providing training to managers and front-line workers to serve as trainers or mentors to workers participating in a work-based learning program2 7#f7 in providing career awareness activities1 such as career guidance and academic counseling2 and 7#g7 in recruiting1 for participation in a work-based learning program1 individuals eligible to receive additional workforce or human services1 including-- 7,a7 individuals participating in programs under the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #caja et seq471 and the amendments made by such ,act1 including to the ,rehabilitation ,act of #aigc 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #gja 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 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 seq472 or 7,d7 any other individuals with a barrier to employment4 7d7 ,support services ,an eligible partnership receiving a grant under this ,act shall use the grant funds to provide services to support the success and retention of individuals described in subsection 7c77#g7 who are participating in a work-based learning program for a period of not less than #ab months4 ,such services may include the following3 7#a7 ,pre-employment services ,services1 provided in a pre-employment stage of the program1 to expand access to a work-based learning program for individuals described in subsection 7c77#g74 ,such services may include-- 7,a7 skills training2 7,b7 career and technical education or adult basic education2 7,c7 initial skills assessments2 7,d7 providing work attire1 necessary tools for a work site1 and other required items necessary to start employment2 7,e7 wrap-around services1 such as child care and transportation2 and 7,f7 job placement assistance4 7#b7 ,early employment services ,services provided to individuals described in subsection 7c77#g7 who are participating in a work-based learning program during their first #f months of employment through such program1 to assure the individuals succeed in the program4 ,such services may include-- 7,a7 ongoing case management and support services1 including the services provided in the pre-employment stage described in paragraph 7#a72 7,b7 continued skills training1 including career and technical education1 conducted in collaboration with employers of such individuals2 7,c7 additional mentorship and retention supports for such individuals2 7,d7 targeted training for frontline managers1 journey level workers working with such individuals 7such as mentors71 and human resource representatives within the business where such individuals are placed2 and 7,e7 wages and benefits for a period of not more than #f months1 during which the eligible entities shall serve as the employers of record of such individuals4 7#c7 ,employment services ,services to ensure the individuals described in paragraph 7#b7 maintain employment in the work-based learning program for at least #ab months4 ,the services shall include support necessary to complete the work-based learning program1 such as continuation of mentoring and support services provided under paragraph 7#b74 7e7 ,evaluation and progress reports 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after receiving a grant under this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the eligible partnership receiving the grant shall submit a report to the ,secretary and the ,governor of the ,state that the eligible partnership serves1 that-- 7,a7 describes the activities funded by the grant2 7,b7 evaluates the progress the eligible partnership has made towards achieving the strategic objectives identified under section #e7;b77#e72 and 7,c7 evaluates the progress of the eligible partnership based on each of the following indicators of performance1 as disaggregated in accordance with paragraph 7#c73 7i7 ,the percentage of individuals participating in a work-based learning program supported by the grant who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from participating in such program4 7ii7 ,the percentage of individuals participating in a work-based learning program supported by the grant who are in unsubsidized employment during the fourth quarter after exit from participating in such program4 7iii7 ,the median earnings of individuals participating in a work-based learning program supported by the grant who are in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from participating in such program4 7iv7 ,the percentage of individuals participating in a work-based learning program supported by the grant who obtain a recognized postsecondary credential1 or a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent 7subject to paragraph 7#b771 during such participation in such program or within #a year after exit from participating in such program4 7v7 ,the percentage of individuals participating in a work-based learning program supported by the grant who1 during a program year1 are in an education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential or employment and who are achieving measurable skill gains toward such a credential or employment4 7#b7 ,indicator relating to credential ,for purposes of paragraph 7#a77;,c77iv71 individuals participating in a work-based learning program supported by the grant who obtain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent shall be included in the percentage counted as meeting the criterion under such paragraph only if such individuals1 in addition to obtaining such diploma or its recognized equivalent1 have obtained or retained employment or are in an education or training program leading to a recognized postsecondary credential within #a year after exit from participating in the work-based learning program supported by the grant4 7#c7 ,disaggregation ,the indicators of performance under paragraph 7#a77;,c7 shall be disaggregated by-- 7,a7 each population specified in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,n7 of section #c7bd7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb7bd772 and 7,b7 race1 ethnicity1 sex1 and age4 7f7 ,administrative costs ,an eligible partnership may use not more than #e percent of the funds awarded through a grant under this ,act for administrative expenses in carrying out this section4 #g4 ,administration by the ,secretary 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may use not more than #aj percent of the amount appropriated under section #h for each fiscal year for administrative expenses to carry out this ,act1 including the expenses of providing the technical assistance and oversight activities under subsection 7b74 7b7 ,technical assistance2 oversight ,the ,secretary shall provide technical assistance and oversight to assist the eligible entities in applying for and administering grants awarded under this ,act4 #h4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this ,act4