Transportation Workforce Investment Act of 2020
This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a program to provide competitive grants to institutions of higher education, states, and other partnerships to support transportation sector education and workforce development projects.
The bill expands authority for DOT to provide grants for surface transportation workforce development, training, and education to include (1) on-the-job training or work-based learning opportunities, including pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships; (2) activities to support the establishment of industry or sector partnerships; (3) activities to increase the number of underrepresented individuals in such workforce; and (4) activities to update facilities and equipment used in career and technical education programs of study.
DOT must also establish a task force to (1) conduct an assessment of the current and projected state of the transportation workforce, including any existing barriers to attracting, developing, training, or retaining a skilled transportation workforce; and (2) develop recommendations and strategies for DOT and states to improve the transportation workforce based on such assessment.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6156 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6156
To develop and improve the transportation workforce, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 9, 2020
Mr. Langevin (for himself, Mr. Balderson, Ms. Craig, and Mr. McKinley)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To develop and improve the transportation workforce, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Transportation
Workforce Investment Act of 2020''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Transportation education and training program.
Sec. 3. Surface transportation workforce grants.
Sec. 4. Research and development strategic plan.
Sec. 5. Task force on future of transportation workforce.
SEC. 2. TRANSPORTATION EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM.
Section 504(f) of title 23, United States Code, is amended to read
as follows:
``(f) Transportation Education and Training Program.--
``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary, in consultation with
the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Labor, shall
establish a program (in this subsection referred to as the
`Program') to provide grants to support transportation sector
education and workforce development projects.
``(2) Grant authority.--In carrying out the Program, the
Secretary may award a grant on a competitive basis in
accordance with this subsection.
``(3) Eligible recipients.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary may award a grant
under the Program to any partnership that includes, at
a minimum, the following entities:
``(i) An institution of higher education.
``(ii) A State department of
transportation.
``(iii) Not fewer than 2 transportation
sector employers.
``(B) Labor and joint labor-management
organizations.--A partnership eligible for a grant
under the Program may include a labor or joint labor-
management organization.
``(4) Eligible projects.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), grant funds awarded under the Program
may only be used to assist a project that includes, at
a minimum, two of the following activities:
``(i) Developing, implementing, and
assessing innovative programs of study with
respect to a transportation sector.
``(ii) Training educators to teach
secondary or postsecondary career and technical
education courses with respect to a
transportation sector.
``(iii) Increasing career recruitment and
outreach to youth, including through career
counseling and career exploration
opportunities, to encourage participation in
transportation sectors.
``(iv) Developing on-the-job training and
work-based learning opportunities, including
pre-apprenticeships and registered
apprenticeships, with respect to a
transportation sector.
``(v) Increasing participation of
underrepresented individuals, including women,
in the transportation workforce.
``(vi) Any other activity the Secretary
determines appropriate for education or
workforce development in a transportation
sector.
``(B) Exception.--If a project is in the
construction or maintenance sector, grant funds awarded
under the Program may only be used to develop pre-
apprenticeships that prepare individuals for acceptance
into registered apprenticeships in such sector.
``(5) Applications.--To be eligible for a grant under this
subsection, a partnership referred to in paragraph (3) shall
submit to the Secretary an application in such form, at such
time, and containing such information as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate, which shall include, at a
minimum, a description of the following:
``(A) How the partnership will use grant funds to
assist an eligible project.
``(B) The roles and responsibilities of each
partner in assisting the project.
``(C) Any prior experience or demonstrated success
in workforce development of a partner.
``(D) The current and projected workforce
shortages, if any, in the relevant transportation
sector and how the project will address those
shortages.
``(E) Any promotion of the increased participation
of underrepresented individuals, including women, in
the transportation workforce that the project will
provide.
``(F) Any recognized postsecondary credentials that
participants in the project will be prepared for.
``(G) Any registered apprenticeships, pre-
apprenticeships, or other on-the-job training or work-
based learning opportunities the project will provide.
``(6) Considerations.--In making a grant under the Program,
the Secretary shall consider--
``(A) regional diversity;
``(B) the degree to which an eligible project may
address current or projected transportation workforce
shortages; and
``(C) if applicable, the quality of any proposed
on-the-job training or work-based learning
opportunities to be provided.
``(7) Limitations on grants.--
``(A) Limitation on amounts.--The amount of a grant
under this subsection may not exceed $300,000.
``(B) Limitation on federal share.--After a
recipient has received 2 grants under this subsection,
subsequent grants to the recipient may not be in an
amount that exceeds 75 percent of the cost of the
project to be assisted with the grant.
``(8) Report.--A recipient of a grant under this subsection
shall submit to the Secretary, at such time as the Secretary
determines appropriate, a report that includes a description of
the following:
``(A) How grant funds were used.
``(B) The education and employment outcomes for
individuals participating in or benefitting from the
project assisted with grant funds under the Program (in
this paragraph referred to as `participants'),
disaggregated by special populations, which shall
include at a minimum the following:
``(i) The percentage, and median earnings,
of participants who are in unsubsidized
employment 90 days after exit from the project.
``(ii) The percentage of participants who
are in unsubsidized employment 180 days after
exit from the project.
``(iii) The percentage of participants who
obtain a recognized postsecondary credential,
or a secondary school diploma or recognized
equivalent during the project or within 1 year
after exit from the project.
``(iv) The percentage of participants who,
during the project--
``(I) enrolled in an education or
training program that leads to a
recognized postsecondary credential or
employment; and
``(II) developed skills necessary
to receive such a credential or
employment through such program.
``(9) Definitions.--In this subsection, the following
definitions apply:
``(A) Career and technical education.--The term
`career and technical education' has the meaning given
the term in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
``(B) Individual with a barrier to employment.--The
term `individual with a barrier to employment' has the
meaning given the term in section 3 of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3012).
``(C) Institution of higher education.--The term
`institution of higher education' has the meaning given
the term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
``(D) On-the-job training.--The term `on-the-job
training' has the meaning given the term in section 3
of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
U.S.C. 3102).
``(E) Pre-apprenticeship.--The term `pre-
apprenticeship' means a training model or program that
prepares individuals for acceptance into a registered
apprenticeship and has a demonstrated partnership with
one or more registered apprenticeships.
``(F) Program of study.--The term `program of
study' has the meaning given the term in section 3 of
the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act
of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
``(G) Recognized postsecondary credential.--The
term `recognized postsecondary credential' has the
meaning given the term in section 3 of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
``(H) Registered apprenticeship.--The term
`registered apprenticeship' means an apprenticeship
program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (29
U.S.C. 50 et seq.; commonly known as the `National
Apprenticeship Act'), that satisfies the requirements
of parts 29 and 30 of title 29, Code of Federal
Regulations (as in effect on January 1, 2020).
``(I) Special populations.--The term `special
populations' has the meaning given the term in section
3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education
Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
``(J) Transportation sector.--The term
`transportation sector' means an industry sector that
is involved in construction, manufacturing,
maintenance, operation, inspection, logistics, design,
or engineering with respect to transportation
equipment, materials, technologies, or infrastructure
(including relating to surface, transit, railway,
aviation, and maritime transportation).
``(K) Underrepresented individual.--The term
`underrepresented individual' means--
``(i) an individual who belongs to a
special population;
``(ii) an individual with a barrier to
employment; or
``(iii) an individual otherwise determined
by the Secretary to be underrepresented in the
transportation workforce.
``(L) Work-based learning.--The term `work-based
learning' has the meaning given the term in section 3
of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education
Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).''.
SEC. 3. SURFACE TRANSPORTATION WORKFORCE GRANTS.
Section 504(e) of title 23, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``, including
development of the skills necessary to utilize emerging
technologies'' after ``development'';
(B) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(C) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period and
inserting a semicolon; and
(D) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraphs:
``(H) on-the-job training or work-based learning
opportunities, including pre-apprenticeships and
registered apprenticeships;
``(I) activities to support the establishment of
industry or sector partnerships;
``(J) activities to increase the number of
underrepresented individuals in such workforce; and
``(K) activities to update facilities and equipment
used in career and technical education programs of
study.''; and
(2) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
``(3) Definitions.--In this subsection, the following
definitions apply:
``(A) Career and technical education.--The term
`career and technical education' has the meaning given
the term in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
``(B) Individual with a barrier to employment.--The
term `individual with a barrier to employment' has the
meaning given the term in section 3 of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3012).
``(C) Industry or sector partnership.--The term
`industry or sector partnership' has the meaning given
the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
``(D) On-the-job training.--The term `on-the-job
training' has the meaning given the term in section 3
of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
U.S.C. 3102).
``(E) Pre-apprenticeship.--The term `pre-
apprenticeship' means a training model or program that
prepares individuals for acceptance into a registered
apprenticeship and has a demonstrated partnership with
one or more registered apprenticeships.
``(F) Program of study.--The term `program of
study' has the meaning given the term in section 3 of
the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act
of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
``(G) Registered apprenticeship.--The term
`registered apprenticeship' means an apprenticeship
program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (29
U.S.C. 50 et seq.; commonly known as the `National
Apprenticeship Act'), that satisfies the requirements
of parts 29 and 30 of title 29, Code of Federal
Regulations (as in effect on January 1, 2020).
``(H) Special populations.--The term `special
populations' has the meaning given the term in section
3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education
Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
``(I) Surface transportation workforce development,
training, and education.--The term `surface
transportation workforce development, training, and
education' means activities associated with surface
transportation career awareness, student transportation
career preparation, and training and professional
development for surface transportation workers,
including activities for women and minorities.
``(J) Underrepresented individual.--The term
`underrepresented individual' means--
``(i) an individual who belongs to a
special population;
``(ii) an individual with a barrier to
employment; or
``(iii) an individual otherwise determined
by the Secretary to be underrepresented in the
transportation workforce.
``(K) Work-based learning.--The term `work-based
learning' has the meaning given the term in section 3
of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education
Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).''.
SEC. 4. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN.
Section 6503 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in subparagraph (F), by striking the semicolon
and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(G) developing and maintaining a diverse
workforce in transportation sectors.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(f) Transportation Sector Defined.--In this section, the term
`transportation sector' means an industry sector that is involved in
construction, manufacturing, maintenance, operation, inspection,
logistics, design, or engineering with respect to transportation
equipment, materials, technologies, or infrastructure (including
relating to surface, transit, railway, aviation, and maritime
transportation).''.
SEC. 5. TASK FORCE ON FUTURE OF TRANSPORTATION WORKFORCE.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation (in this section
referred to as the ``Secretary''), in consultation with the Secretary
of Education and the Secretary of Labor, shall establish a task force
on the future of the transportation workforce (in this section referred
to as the ``Task Force'').
(b) Duties of Task Force.--The duties of the Task Force shall be to
carry out the following activities:
(1) Conduct an assessment of--
(A) the current and projected state of the
transportation workforce, including current and
projected workforce shortages;
(B) any existing barriers to attracting,
developing, training, or retaining a skilled
transportation workforce; and
(C) the projected impact of emerging technologies,
including automation, on the transportation workforce.
(2) Develop recommendations and strategies for the
Secretary and States to develop and improve the transportation
workforce based on the assessment conducted pursuant to
paragraph (1), including recommendations and strategies on the
following:
(A) Improving youth outreach, mentorship programs,
and career guidance and academic counseling.
(B) Improving career pathways, including through
secondary and post-secondary career and technical
education programs of study.
(C) Providing on-the-job training or work-based
learning opportunities, including pre-apprenticeships
and registered apprenticeships.
(D) Providing recognized postsecondary credentials,
including credentials related to emerging technologies.
(E) Supporting targeted outreach to underrpresented
individuals, including women.
(F) Providing new skills to public transportation
workers employed in positions that may be impacted by
emerging technologies.
(c) Consideration.--In developing recommendations and strategies
pursuant to subsection (b)(2), the Task Force shall consider how
businesses, educators, the Secretary, State and local government
agencies, and other relevant stakeholders can coordinate efforts to
support workforce development in transportation sectors.
(d) Membership.--
(1) Appointment.--The Task Force shall be composed of
members appointed by the Secretary, including representatives
of the following:
(A) Regionally diverse businesses operating in
transportation sectors.
(B) Labor organizations.
(C) Local educational agencies.
(D) Institutions of higher education, including
community colleges and area career and technical
education schools.
(E) Eligible agencies.
(F) Other experts and stakeholders in
transportation sectors that the Secretary determines
appropriate.
(2) Terms.--Each member shall be appointed for the life of
the Task Force.
(e) Initial Report.--
(1) Submission to secretary.--Not later than 1 year after
the date on which the Task Force is established, the Task Force
shall submit to the Secretary a report containing--
(A) the findings of the assessment conducted
pursuant to subsection (b)(1); and
(B) the recommendations and strategies developed
pursuant to subsection (b)(2).
(2) Submission to congress.--Not later than 30 days after
the date on which the Secretary receives the report submitted
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
(A) provide written comments on the report; and
(B) submit the report and written comments to the
appropriate committees of Congress.
(f) Termination.--Except as provided in subsection (g), the Task
Force shall terminate on the date that is 30 days after the date on
which the Task Force submits the initial report to the Secretary under
subsection (e)(1).
(g) Updated Reports.--
(1) In general.--On the date that is five years after the
date of termination under subsection (f), and every five years
thereafter, the Task Force shall reconvene for purposes of the
update required under paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(2) Submission to secretary.--Not later than 180 days after
a date on which the Task Force reconvenes under paragraph (1),
the Task Force shall submit to the Secretary an update of the
report most recently submitted to the Secretary under this
section by the Task Force.
(3) Submission to congress.--Not later than 30 days after a
date on which the Secretary receives an updated report under
paragraph (2), the Secretary shall--
(A) provide written comments on the updated report;
and
(B) submit the updated report and written comments
to the appropriate committees of Congress.
(h) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate.
(2) Area career and technical education school.--The term
``area career and technical education school'' has the meaning
given the term in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
(3) Career and technical education.--The term ``career and
technical education'' has the meaning given the term in section
3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of
2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
(4) Career guidance and academic counseling.--The term
``career guidance and academic counseling'' has the meaning
given the term in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
(5) Career pathway.--The term ``career pathway'' has the
meaning given the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation
and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
(6) Eligible agency.--The term ``eligible agency'' has the
meaning given the term in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins
Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
(7) Individual with a barrier to employment.--The term
``individual with a barrier to employment'' has the meaning
given the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3012).
(8) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).
(9) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational
agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801).
(10) On-the-job training.--The term ``on-the-job training''
has the meaning given the term in section in section 3 of the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
(11) Pre-apprenticeship.--The term ``pre-apprenticeship''
means a training model or program that prepares individuals for
acceptance into a registered apprenticeship and has a
demonstrated partnership with one or more registered
apprenticeships.
(12) Program of study.--The term ``program of study'' has
the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins
Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
(13) Recognized postsecondary credential.--The term
``recognized postsecondary credential'' has the meaning given
the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
(14) Registered apprenticeship.--The term ``registered
apprenticeship'' means an apprenticeship program registered
under the Act of August 16, 1937 (29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.;
commonly known as the ``National Apprenticeship Act''), that
satisfies the requirements of parts 29 and 30 of title 29, Code
of Federal Regulations (as in effect on January 1, 2020).
(15) Special populations.--The term ``special populations''
has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Carl D.
Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C.
2302).
(16) State.--The term ``State'' means each State of the
United States, the District of Columbia, each commonwealth,
territory, or possession of the United States, and each
federally recognized Indian Tribe.
(17) Transportation sector.--The term ``transportation
sector'' means an industry sector that is involved in
construction, manufacturing, maintenance, operation,
inspection, logistics, design, or engineering with respect to
transportation equipment, materials, technologies, or
infrastructure (including relating to surface, transit,
railway, aviation, and maritime transportation).
(18) Underrepresented individual.--The term
``underrepresented individual'' means--
(A) an individual who belongs to a special
population;
(B) an individual with a barrier to employment; or
(C) an individual otherwise determined by the
Secretary to be underrepresented in the transportation
workforce.
(19) Work-based learning.--The term ``work-based learning''
has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Carl D.
Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C.
2302).
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
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