1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Education and Workforce Innovation Act”.
Education and Workforce Innovation Act
A BILL
To carry out pilot programs to improve skills and job training, and for other purposes.
2. Community Workforce Training Grants
Program authorized— From the amounts appropriated to carry out this section, the Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor and the advisory panel, shall carry out a 5-year pilot program to award grants to eligible entities to carry out programs that provide direct skills and job training for individuals to enter and advance in high-growth, emerging, and in-demand industries, such as skilled labor and trade industries.
Application— To receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary of Education may require.
Uses of funds— An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use such grant to—
develop and carry out a multiyear program to provide students enrolled in a school or institution described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of subsection (g)(1) with education and training to prepare such students to enter and advance in high-growth, emerging, or in-demand industries by providing—
customized training that is valuable to such industries;
increased productivity and knowledge transfer;
a stable and predictable pipeline to a high-standard of employment (as determined by the Secretary of Labor in consultation with the advisory panel) upon graduation from the program;
a proven model of success, as determined by the Secretary of Labor in consultation with the advisory panel; and
an opportunity for career advancement; and
cover costs related to developing and carrying out the program, which may include—
covering overhead costs;
improving program design;
expanding access to the program; or
providing tuition subsidies for students enrolled, or desiring to enroll, in an institution described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (g)(1), if applicable, to participate in such program.
Matching funds— An eligible entity that is awarded a grant under this section shall provide matching funds from non-Federal sources in an amount equal to not less than the Federal funds provided under the grant.
Advisory panel— In carrying out the pilot program under this section, the Secretary of Education shall establish an advisory panel that is comprised of Federal education experts and private sector executives.
Availability of funding— For fiscal year 2016 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years, not less than $50,000,000 shall be available from the amount appropriated for each such fiscal year for the Workforce Innovation Fund of the Department of Labor for the costs of carrying out this section.
Definitions— In this section:
Eligible entity— The term “eligible entity” means a private company involved in the manufacturing, production, or technology industries, in partnership with a—
junior or community college;
postsecondary vocational institution; or
secondary school.
Junior or community college— The term “junior or community college” has the meaning given the term in section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058(f)).
Postsecondary vocational institution— The term “postsecondary vocational institution” has the meaning given the term in section 102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(c)).
Secondary school— The term “secondary school” has the meaning given the term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
Skilled labor and trade industries— The term “skilled labor and trade industries” shall be defined by the Secretary of Labor.
3. Financing a Skilled 21st Century Workforce Goal
Program authorized— The Secretaries of Education and the Treasury, jointly with the advisory panel, shall administer a pay-for-performance pilot program for 5 years to raise funds from qualified investors to cover the cost of a workforce training program that increases trade certifications or apprenticeships for unemployed individuals or dislocated workers, and that meets the requirements of subsection (b).
Program requirements— The pay-for-performance pilot program carried out under subsection (a) shall require that—
the Secretaries and the advisory panel establish the goals of increasing trade certifications or apprenticeships for unemployed individuals or dislocated workers, and other social and financial goals (such as reducing Federal, State, and local expenditures related to workforce training) for the program;
a qualified investor enters into a pay-for-performance agreement with the Secretaries under which the qualified investor—
provides funds to a service provider selected by the Secretaries, the advisory panel, and the qualified investor to meet the goals established under paragraph (1); and
agrees to the repayment terms described in paragraph (4);
the service provider uses such funds to carry out a workforce training program for unemployed adults or dislocated workers to meet such goals;
if the Secretaries and the advisory panel determine that the workforce training program carried out by the service provider meets the goals established under paragraph (1), the Secretaries will repay the qualified investor the amount of funds provided by the qualified investor under paragraph (2) with financial returns; and
the Secretaries and the advisory panel assess the feasibility of expanding the pay-for-performance pilot program on a larger scale.
Authorization of appropriations— There are authorized to be appropriated $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2016 to carry out this section.
Definitions— In this Act:
Advisory panel— The term “advisory panel” means a panel of business representatives selected by the Secretaries.
Dislocated worker; unemployed individual— The terms “dislocated worker” and “unemployed individual” have the meanings given the terms in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
Qualified investor— The term “qualified investor” has the meaning given such term in section 230.501(a) of title 17, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).
Secretaries— The term “Secretaries” means the Secretaries of Education and the Treasury.
Service provider— The term “service provider” means a nonprofit organization that carries out a workforce training program.