(a)
In general— An eligible partnership receiving a grant under this Act shall—
(1)
designate an entity in the industry or sector partnership as the fiscal agent for the grant funds; and
(2)
carry out activities described in subsections (b) (as applicable), (c), and (d) to achieve the strategic objectives identified in the entity's application under section 5(b)(5), in a manner that integrates services and funding sources to ensure effectiveness of the activities and that uses the grant funds efficiently.
(b)
Planning activities— An eligible partnership receiving an implementation grant under this Act shall use not more than $250,000 of the grant funds to carry out planning activities during the first year of the grant period. Such activities may include—
(1)
establishing the industry or sector partnership;
(2)
convening key stakeholders as identified in the application process;
(3)
conducting outreach to local businesses and business associations;
(4)
conducting an evaluation of workforce needs in the local area; or
(5)
recruiting individuals with barriers to employment.
(c)
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 5(b)(5). The services may include assisting businesses—
(1)
in navigating the registration process for a sponsor of a registered apprenticeship program;
(2)
by connecting the business with an education provider, including a provider of career and technical education, to develop classroom instruction to complement on-the-job learning;
(3)
in developing the curriculum design of a work-based learning program;
(4)
in employing workers participating in a work-based learning program for a transitional period before a business hires the worker for full-time employment not less than 30 hours a week;
(5)
in providing training to managers and front-line workers to serve as trainers or mentors to workers participating in a work-based learning program;
(6)
in providing career awareness activities, such as career guidance and academic counseling; and
(7)
in recruiting, for participation in a work-based learning program, individuals eligible to receive additional workforce or human services, including—
(B)
recipients of assistance through the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (
7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.);
(C)
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 (
42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.); or
(D)
any other individuals with a barrier to employment.
(d)
Support services— The eligible partnership receiving a grant under this Act shall use the grant funds to provide services to support the success of individuals described in subsection (c)(7) who are participating in a work-based learning program for a period of not less than 12 months. Such services may include the following:
(1)
Pre-employment services— Services, provided in a pre-employment stage of the program, to expand access to a work-based learning program for individuals described in subsection (c)(7). Such services may include—
(B)
career and technical education or adult basic education;
(C)
initial skills assessments;
(D)
providing work attire, necessary tools for a work site, and other required items necessary to start employment;
(E)
wrap-around services, such as child care and transportation; and
(F)
job placement assistance.
(2)
Early employment services— Services provided to individuals described in subsection (c)(7) who are participating in a work-based learning program during their first 6 months of employment through such program, to assure the individuals succeed in the program. Such services may include—
(A)
ongoing case management and support services, including the services provided in the pre-employment stage described in paragraph (1);
(B)
continued skills training, including career and technical education, conducted in collaboration with employers of such individuals;
(C)
additional mentorship and retention supports for such individuals;
(D)
targeted training for frontline managers, journey level workers working with such individuals (such as mentors), and human resource representatives within the business where such individuals are placed; and
(E)
wages and benefits for a period of not more than 6 months, during which the eligible entities shall serve as the employers of record of such individuals.
(3)
Employment services— Services to ensure the individuals described in paragraph (2) maintain employment in the work-based learning program for at least 12 months. The services shall include support necessary to complete the work-based learning program, such as continuation of mentoring and support services provided under paragraph (2).
(e)
Evaluation and progress reports— Not later than 1 year after receiving a grant under this Act, and annually thereafter, the eligible partnership receiving the grant shall submit a report to the Secretary and the Governor of the State that the eligible partnership serves, that—
(1)
describes the activities funded by the grant;
(2)
evaluates the progress the eligible partnership has made towards achieving the strategic objectives identified under section 5(b)(5); and
(3)
evaluates the levels of performance achieved by the eligible partnership for training participants with respect to the performance indicators under section 116(b)(2)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (
29 U.S.C. 3141(b)(2)(A)) for all such workers, disaggregated by each population specified in section 3(24) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (
29 U.S.C. 3102(24)) and by race, ethnicity, sex, and age.
(f)
Administrative costs— An eligible partnership may use not more than 5 percent of the funds awarded through a grant under this Act for administrative expenses in carrying out this section.