,,ii #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #ccbh ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,december #c1 #bjbe,mr4 ,kaine introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act to establish a digital skills at work grant program4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,digital ,skills for ,today's ,workforce ,act4 #b4 ,purpose ,it is the purpose of this ,act to amend the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #caja et seq47 to further promote digital equity by-- 7#a7 building digital skills for current and incoming workers in in-demand industries in order to advance access to good jobs and fill in-demand occupations of the #bast century by establishing capacity within postsecondary education1 adult education1 and workforce development systems to deliver digital skills training and to design such training2 and 7#b7 fostering digitally resilient individuals and education and workforce development systems4 #c4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,analysis by the ,national ,skills ,coalition and the ,federal ,reserve ,bank of ,atlanta finds that #ib percent of jobs require digital skills while #a_/c of workers do not have the foundational digital skills necessary to enter and succeed in today's jobs4 ,further1 for businesses1 turnover costs 7estimated at #be1jjj when a worker quits within the first year to more than #gh1jjj after #e years7 can be averted or delayed by ensuring that workers have access to key upskilling opportunities4 7#b7 ,per a survey of #fi business owners in key industries in ,north ,carolina conducted by the ,north ,carolina ,broadband ,office and ,north ,carolina ,business ,committee on ,education1 more than a quarter of responders indicated that their business has lost competitive advantage due to a shortage of digital skills4 7#c7 ,according to ,united ,states data from the ,organisation for ,economic ,cooperation and ,development ,survey of ,adult ,skills1 workers of color are disproportionately likely to face digital skills gaps due to longstanding inequities4 ,for example1 ,black workers comprise #ab percent of overall workers but represent #ae percent of the subset of workers who have no digital skills and #ba percent of those with limited digital skills4 ,latino workers 7who may be of any race7 are #ad percent of overall workers but represent a full #ce percent of workers with no digital skills and #bj percent of those with limited digital skills4 #d4 ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act amendments 7a7 ,in general ,subtitle ,d of title ,i of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbba et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating section #agb as section #agc2 and 7#b7 by inserting after section #aga the following3 #agb4 ,digital skills at work grant program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,accelerated learning program models ,the term accelerated learning program models means evidence-informed strategies that support adult learners and workers in obtaining in-demand skills and credentials in an accelerated fashion1 including integrated education and training1 bridge programs1 and work-based learning programs4 7#b7 ,digital and information literacy skills ,the term digital and information literacy skills means the skills associated with-- 7,a7 using technology to enable users to find1 evaluate1 organize1 create1 and communicate information and complete tasks through existing and emerging technologies2 7,b7 recognizing the extent and essence of an information need1 assessing the security and reliability of information1 and effectively using information2 and 7,c7 developing digital citizenship and the responsible use of technology4 7#c7 ,digital equity ,the term digital equity means the condition in which individuals and communities have the information technology capacity that is needed for full participation in the society and economy of the ,united ,states4 7#d7 ,digitally resilient ,the term digitally resilient means-- 7,a7 with respect to an individual1 an individual with the awareness1 skills1 agility1 and confidence to be an empowered user of new technologies and to be able to adapt to changing digital skill demands by improving the capacity to problem-solve1 improve and update skills1 navigate digital transformations1 and be active participants in society and the economy2 and 7,b7 with respect to a system1 an education or workforce development system that-- 7i7 has established processes and policies to adapt to evolving technological demands1 buffer workers and businesses from the disruptive effects of rapid technological shifts1 and foster the ability of an individual to create1 critique1 and use new technological tools2 and 7ii7 offers multiple pathways to economic success and does not endorse any single type of technology or digital skill as the mechanism for economic mobility4 7#e7 ,digital workplace skills ,the term digital workplace skills-- 7,a7 means the broad array of foundational and more specialized skills 7including basic1 advanced1 and applied skills7 that enable an individual to be an effective user or creator of technology while on the job2 and 7,b7 includes industry-specific skills and skills that are transferable across industries4 7#f7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means an entity that is-- 7,a7 described in any of subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,h7 of section #fjcjd7;b77#b7 of the ,digital ,equity ,act of #bjba 7#dg ,u4,s4,c4 #agbc7;b77#b772 or 7,b7 an industry or sector partnership4 7#g7 ,individual with indicators of low digital and information literacy skills ,the term individual with indicators of low digital and information literacy skills means1 with respect to a ,state1 an individual who resides in such ,state and has-- 7,a7 an educational attainment of not more than a high school diploma or equivalent2 7,b7 earnings in the bottom #b quintiles of earnings in such ,state2 or 7,c7 limited ,english language proficiency4 7#h7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,labor4 7#i7 ,state ,the term ,state means a ,state or outlying area4 7#aj7 ,working age resident ,the term working age resident means1 with respect to a ,state1 an individual who resides in such ,state and is not younger than #af years of age and not older than #fd years of age4 7b7 ,digital skills at work grants 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall1 in consultation with the ,secretary of ,education and the ,secretary of ,commerce1 award a grant in an amount described in paragraph 7#b7 to each ,state that submits a complete application under paragraph 7#c7 to expand digital workplace skills for individuals seeking jobs and individuals with barriers to employment4 7#b7 ,grant amount ,a grant to a ,state under paragraph 7#a7 shall be in an amount that is the sum of-- 7,a7 an amount that bears the same ratio to #ej percent of the total amount of grants made available to all ,states under paragraph 7#a7 as the population of such ,state bears to the total population of all ,states2 7,b7 an amount that bears the same ratio to #be percent of the total amount of grants made available to all ,states under paragraph 7#a7 as the population of working age residents in the ,state bears to the total population of working age residents of all ,states2 and 7,c7 an amount that bears the same ratio to #be percent of the total amount of grants made available to all ,states under paragraph 7#a7 as the population of individuals with indicators of low digital and information literacy skills in the ,state bears to the total population of individuals with indicators of low digital and information literacy skills of all ,states4 7#c7 ,application ,to be eligible to receive a grant under paragraph 7#a71 a ,state shall submit to the ,secretary an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require1 including-- 7,a7 a description of-- 7i7 how the ,state will use any grant amounts awarded to expand digital workplace skills for individuals seeking jobs and individuals with barriers to employment in an efficient and expeditious manner2 7ii7 the period in which the ,state will expend the grant funds awarded under the grant2 and 7iii7 the budget for the activities that the grant funds will support2 7,b7 a demonstration1 to the satisfaction of the ,secretary1 that the ,state is capable of carrying out the ,state activities under this subsection in a competent manner and in compliance with all applicable ,federal1 ,state1 and local laws2 7,c7 a description of the steps the ,state will take to ensure that the ,state is supporting or building digitally resilient systems and individuals2 7,d7 a disclosure of the source and amount of other ,federal1 ,state1 or outside funding sources from which the ,state receives1 or has applied for1 funding for activities or projects to which the application relates and1 if applicable1 how all the funding streams align in terms of goals2 and 7,e7 an assurance that the ,state shall follow such additional procedures as the ,secretary may require to ensure that grant funds are used and accounted for in an appropriate manner4 7#d7 ,no complete ,state application 7,a7 ,in general ,in any case in which a ,state does not apply1 or submit a complete application for1 a grant under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall-- 7i7 solicit and accept applications from eligible entities with demonstrated capacity to administer a ,federal grant program on a statewide basis2 and 7ii7 use an amount of grant funds equal to the ,state's share of the grant funds under paragraph 7#b7 to benefit the ,state by-- 7,i7 awarding a grant to an eligible entity described in clause 7i7 to enable the eligible entity to carry out the program under this subsection for the ,state2 or 7,,ii7 if there are no suitable applications submitted under clause 7i7 or the ,secretary determines appropriate1 using a portion1 or all1 of such funds to award grants to eligible entities for the same purposes1 and subject to the same terms and conditions1 as subgrants awarded under paragraph 7#e74 7,b7 ,special rules ,for purposes of applying this subsection-- 7i7 with respect to a grant awarded under subparagraph 7,a77ii77,i71 any reference to a ,state shall be deemed to refer to the eligible entity receiving such grant2 and 7ii7 with respect to a grant awarded under subparagraph 7,a77ii77,,ii71 the eligible entity shall submit the report required under paragraph 7#e77;,d7 to the ,secretary1 and the ,secretary shall make all such reports publicly available4 7#e7 ,uses of grant funds 7,a7 ,subgrants authorized ,a ,state that receives a grant under paragraph 7#a7 shall use the grant funds to award subgrants to eligible entities for the purpose of expanding digital workplace skills for individuals to gain digital skills needed for their current employment or in order to advance in their careers1 with a priority on assisting individuals with barriers to employment4 7,b7 ,applications ,an eligible entity desiring a subgrant under this paragraph shall submit an application to the ,state at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,state shall require4 7,c7 ,award basis 7i7 ,priority ,in awarding subgrants under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,state shall give a priority to eligible entities that will focus activities under the subgrant on individuals with barriers to employment4 7ii7 ,geographic distribution ,in awarding subgrants under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,state shall ensure funds are distributed in a geographically diverse manner4 7,d7 ,reports ,not later than #a year after receiving a subgrant under this paragraph1 each eligible entity receiving such subgrant shall submit a report to the ,state regarding the activities supported under such subgrant4 7#f7 ,performance accountability 7,a7 ,state reports ,not later than #b years after receiving the reports submitted to the ,state under paragraph 7#e77;,d7 but not earlier than #ah months after the grant is awarded to the ,state under paragraph 7#a71 the ,state shall submit a report to the ,secretary-- 7i7 describing the activities funded using grant funds under this subsection2 and 7ii7 including the information provided in the local reports submitted to the ,state under paragraph 7#e77;,d74 7,b7 ,public availability ,the ,secretary shall make each ,state report submitted under subparagraph 7,a7 publicly available4 7c7 ,competitive grants 7#a7 ,program authorized ,the ,secretary shall1 on a competitive basis1 award grants to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to foster digital equity and digitally resilient systems and individuals 7including workers and employers7 in order to prepare the individuals for adapting to the current and future competitive labor market and economy by creating opportunities for individuals to gain digital skills needed for their current employment or in order to advance in their careers4 7#b7 ,application ,to be eligible to receive a grant under paragraph 7#a71 an eligible entity shall submit to the ,secretary an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require1 including-- 7,a7 a description of-- 7i7 the activities that will be supported using grant funds awarded under such paragraph1 including any services such as business engagement1 classroom instruction1 apprenticeships1 work-based learning1 and supportive services2 7ii7 how the eligible entity receiving the grant will work to engage small and medium-sized employers2 7iii7 the digital workplace skills learning strategies to be supported using such grant funds2 7iv7 the digital workplace skills curriculum1 and other related materials1 to be developed and supported using such grant funds1 including-- 7,i7 the general content of such curriculum2 7,,ii7 the mechanism to deliver such curriculum2 7,,iii7 information on how the curriculum connects to an in-demand occupation or industry2 and 7,,iv7 how this curriculum will be shared with ,states and other eligible entities via submission to a ,federal clearinghouse or other repository2 7v7 the professional development opportunities relating to digital workplace skills for instructors supported by such grant funds1 including with regard to new hiring of instructors with industry experience and increasing the skills of instructors with expertise in serving adult learners and administering programs using accelerated learning program models2 7vi7 any programs using accelerated learning program models to be supported by such grant funds1 and how such programing will align with existing accelerated learning programs1 as of the date of application1 in the area served by the grant2 7vii7 any in-demand industry sector or occupation that will be served using such grant funds1 including how any such industry sector or occupation was identified2 7viii7 how the eligible entity will protect the privacy and security of any data collected with regard to an individual involved in any activity supported using such grant funds2 7ix7 any population that will receive services from any activity supported using such grant funds1 including populations of individuals with barriers to employment and populations historically underrepresented in any industry to be served under the grant2 7x7 any recognized postsecondary credential that an individual can obtain through participation in an activity supported using such grant2 7xi7 any measurable gains in a skill that such an individual can achieve through such participation2 7xii7 any steps the eligible entity will take to align activities supported using such grant funds with1 as applicable1 the ,state ,digital ,equity ,plan of the ,state developed under section #fjcjd7;c77#a7 of the ,digital ,equity ,act of #bjba 7#dg ,u4,s4,c4 #agbc7;c77#a77 and the action plan of the ,state submitted to the ,broadband ,equity1 ,access1 and ,deployment ,program under section #fjajb7;e77#a77;,d7 of the ,infrastructure ,investment and ,jobs ,act 7#dg ,u4,s4,c4 #agjb7;e77#a77;,d772 and 7xiii7 how the eligible entity will leverage additional resources1 including funding provided under title ,,ii and non-,federal resources1 for activities supported using such grant funds2 and 7,b7 an assurance that the eligible entity will protect the privacy and security of individuals involved in any program or activity supported using such grant funds by-- 7i7 prohibiting any program supported using such grant funds from withholding any earned learning information or earned credentialing information from such an individual for reasons such as the individual failing to pay such program2 and 7ii7 prohibiting any program or vendor supported using such grant funds from gathering or disseminating personally identifiable information1 as defined by the ,secretary1 of program participants1 except as needed for program evaluation and reporting purposes4 7#c7 ,performance accountability 7,a7 ,local reports ,by one year after the date on which an eligible entity received a grant under this subsection1 the eligible entity shall submit to the ,secretary a report containing-- 7i7 a description of the levels of performance achieved by the eligible entity with respect to the performance indicators described under section #aaf7;b77#b77;,a7 for-- 7,i7 all participants in activities supported under such grant funds2 and 7,,ii7 individuals with barriers to employment1 in the aggregate and disaggregated by each subpopulation and by race1 ethnicity1 ,english language proficiency1 sex1 and age2 and 7ii7 the progress of the entity towards fulfilling the objectives for which the grant was awarded4 7,b7 ,public availability ,as a condition of receiving a grant under this subsection1 an eligible entity shall agree to make the eligible entity's progress and findings available for the ,secretary to share across ,states4 7d7 ,reservation of funds ,notwithstanding any other provision of this section1 the ,secretary-- 7#a7 may reserve not more than #e percent of the amounts made available to carry out this section for technical assistance under1 and administration of1 this section2 and 7#b7 shall reserve not less than #b percent and not more than #d percent of such amounts to evaluate the programs carried out under this section4 4 7b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,section #agc of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act1 as redesignated by subsection 7a77#a71 is further amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsections 7e7 and 7f7 as subsections 7f7 and 7g71 respectively2 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7d7 the following3 7e7 ,digital skills at work grants ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section #agb such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year #bjbf and each of the #d succeeding fiscal years4 4 7c7 ,digital and information literacy skills as training services ,section #acd7;c77#c77;,d7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cagd7;c77#c77;,d77 is amended-- 7#a7 in clause 7x71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7#b7 in clause 7xi71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7xii7 training in digital and information literacy skills1 as defined in section #agb7;a74 4 7d7 ,conforming amendment ,section #hjda7;g77#b77;,c7 of the ,,support for ,patients and ,communities ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cbbe;a7g77#b77;,c77 is amended by striking #agb7;f7 and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting #agc7;g7 of such ,act44 7e7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents in section #a7;b7 of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act is amended in the items related to subtitle ,d of title ,i-- 7#a7 by redesignating the item relating to section #agb as the item relating to section #agc2 and 7#b7 by inserting after the item relating to section #aga the following3 ,sec4 #agb4 ,digital skills at work grant program44