[Congressional Bills 118th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4580 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4580 To establish, improve, or expand high-quality workforce development programs at community colleges, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 18, 2024 Mr. Warnock (for himself and Mr. Braun) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To establish, improve, or expand high-quality workforce development programs at community colleges, 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. This Act may be cited as the ``Pathways to Prosperity Act''. SEC. 2. STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY COLLEGES GRANT PROGRAM. Subtitle D of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3221 et seq.) is amended-- (1) by redesignating section 172 as section 173; and (2) by inserting after section 171 the following: ``SEC. 172. STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY COLLEGES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS PROGRAM. ``(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are-- ``(1) to establish, improve, or expand high-quality workforce development programs at community colleges; ``(2) to expand opportunities for individuals to obtain recognized postsecondary credentials that are nationally or regionally portable and stackable for in-demand industry sectors or occupations; ``(3) to better align high-quality workforce development programs at community colleges with local industry needs and in-demand industry sectors or occupations; and ``(4) to strengthen partnerships between employers in in- demand industry sectors or occupations and community colleges for the purpose of ensuring high-quality workforce development curriculums. ``(b) Strengthening Community Colleges Workforce Development Grants Program.-- ``(1) In general.--From the amounts appropriated to carry out this section under section 173(e) and not reserved under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall, on a competitive basis, award grants to eligible institutions, to work with eligible partnerships to carry out the activities described in subsection (e). ``(2) Reservation.--Of the amounts appropriated to carry out this section under section 173(e), the Secretary may reserve not more than 2 percent for the administration of grants awarded under this section, including-- ``(A) providing technical assistance and targeted outreach to support eligible institutions serving a high number or high percentage of low-income individuals or individuals with barriers to employment, and rural-serving eligible institutions, to provide guidance and assistance in the process of applying for grants under this section; and ``(B) evaluating and reporting on the performance and impact of programs funded under this section in accordance with subsections (f) through (h). ``(c) Award Period.-- ``(1) Initial grant period.--Each grant awarded under this section shall be awarded for an initial period of not more than 4 years. ``(2) Subsequent grants.--An eligible institution that receives an initial grant under this section may receive one or more additional grants under this section, for additional periods of not more than 4 years each, if the eligible institution demonstrates that, during the most recently completed grant period for a grant received under this section, the institution's eligible partnership achieved the levels of performance established under subsection (f) with respect to the indicators of performance specified in subsection (f). ``(d) Application.-- ``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible institution shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. ``(2) Contents.--An application submitted by an eligible institution under paragraph (1) shall include a description of each the following: ``(A) The extent to which the eligible institution has demonstrated success building partnerships with local employers in in-demand industry sectors or occupations to carry out activities to provide students with the skills needed for such occupations or occupations in such industry sectors and an explanation of the results of any such partnership activities. ``(B) The methods and strategies the eligible institution will use to engage with employers in in- demand industry sectors or occupations, including any arrangements the institution will make to place individuals who complete the workforce development program supported by the grant into employment with such employers. ``(C) The proposed eligible partnership that the eligible institution will establish and maintain to comply with subsection (e)(1) (referred to in this section as an `eligible partnership'), including-- ``(i) the roles and responsibilities (including serving as a provider), determined by the eligible institution, of each employer, organization, agency, or institution of higher education that the eligible institution will partner with to carry out the activities under this section; and ``(ii) the needs that will be addressed by such eligible partnership. ``(D) One or more industry sectors or occupations that such partnership will target and real-time labor market data demonstrating that those sectors or occupations are aligned with employer demand in the geographic area to be served by the eligible institution. ``(E) Information that consists of-- ``(i) a description of the extent to which the eligible institution will leverage additional resources to support the program to be funded with the grant, and an assurance that the eligible institution will obtain a written commitment for any leveraged funds (such as matching funds) for the program; ``(ii) information demonstrating the future sustainability of such program; and ``(iii) a description of any investments or matching funds provided by employers participating in the eligible partnerships. ``(F) The steps the institution will take to ensure the high quality of the program to be funded with the grant, including the career pathways within such program. ``(G) The population and geographic area to be served by the eligible institution, including the number of individuals the eligible institution intends to serve during the grant period. ``(H) The workforce development program to be supported by the grant. ``(I) The recognized postsecondary credential that is expected to be earned by participants in such workforce development program and the related in-demand industry sector or occupation for which such program will prepare participants. ``(J) The evidence upon which the education and skills development strategies to be used in such workforce development program are based and an explanation of how such evidence influenced the design of the program to improve education and employment outcomes. ``(K) How activities of the eligible institution and its eligible partnership carried out through the program are expected to align with the workforce strategies identified in-- ``(i) any State plan or local plan submitted under this Act by the State, outlying area, or locality in which the eligible institution is expected to operate; ``(ii) any State plan submitted under section 122 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2342) by such State or outlying area; and ``(iii) any economic development plan of the chief executive of such State or outlying area. ``(L) The expected measures of the eligible institution, for the eligible partnership, with respect to-- ``(i) a capacity building indicator (as described in subsection (f)(1)(B)); and ``(ii) the expected levels of performance of individuals participating in the program to be offered by the eligible institution, with respect to any indicators of performance applicable under subsection (f). ``(M) In the case of an eligible institution proposing a workforce development program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential described in subsection (e)(2)(C)(i), the information described in subclauses (I) through (VI) of subsection (e)(2)(C)(i). ``(N) How the eligible institution will keep tuition and other costs of attendance (as described in subsection (e)(3)(D)) low or affordable for students who are participants. ``(O) How the eligible institution will work with employers and industry partners in an eligible partnership to design curricula and training programs aligned to industry needs for the workforce development programs. ``(3) Consideration of previous experience.--The Secretary may not disqualify an eligible institution from receiving a grant under this section solely because such institution lacks previous experience in building partnerships, as described in paragraph (2)(A). ``(4) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible institutions that-- ``(A) will use such a grant to serve-- ``(i) individuals with barriers to employment; or ``(ii) incumbent workers who need to gain or improve foundational skills to enhance their employability; ``(B) use competency-based assessments, such as the covered assessment identified by the State in which the eligible institution is located, to award academic credit for prior learning for the program supported by the grant; or ``(C) have, or will seek to have, the provider of the career education program within the program supported by the grant included on the list of eligible providers of training services under section 122(d) for the State in which the eligible institution is located. ``(e) Uses of Funds.-- ``(1) Eligible partnership.--For the purpose of carrying out the activities specified in paragraphs (2) and (3), an eligible institution that receives a grant under this section shall establish a partnership (including continuing an existing partnership) that shall include one or more employers in an in- demand industry sector or occupation and may include other organizations, agencies, or institutions of higher education. The eligible institution shall maintain such eligible partnership for the duration of the grant period. The eligible institution shall ensure that the partnership, in carrying out its roles and responsibilities under subsection (d)(2)(C) for the program under the grant-- ``(A) targets one or more specific in-demand industry sectors or occupations; ``(B) carries out activities that include collaboration with the workforce development system; ``(C) serves adult and dislocated workers, incumbent workers, and new entrants to the workforce; ``(D) uses an evidence-based program design that is appropriate for the activities carried out by the partnership; ``(E) incorporates work-based learning opportunities, as defined in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302); and ``(F) incorporates, to the extent appropriate, virtual service delivery to facilitate technology- enabled learning. ``(2) Required activities.--An eligible institution that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds, in consultation with the employers in the eligible partnership described in paragraph (1), to-- ``(A) establish, improve, or expand a high-quality, evidence-based workforce development program, such as a career pathway program, or work-based learning program (including apprenticeship programs or pre- apprenticeships); ``(B) provide career services to individuals participating in the program funded with the grant to facilitate retention and program completion, which may include-- ``(i) career navigation, coaching, mentorship, and case management services, including providing information and outreach to individuals with barriers to employment to encourage such individuals to participate in the program funded with the grant; and ``(ii) providing access to course materials, technological devices, required equipment, and other supports necessary for participation in and successful completion of such program; and ``(C) make available, in a format that is open, searchable, and easily comparable, information on-- ``(i) curricula and recognized postsecondary credentials offered through the program funded with the grant, including any curricula or credentials created or further developed using such grant, which for each recognized postsecondary credential shall include-- ``(I) the issuing entity of such credential; ``(II) any third-party endorsement of such credential; ``(III) the occupations for which the credential prepares individuals; ``(IV) the skills and competencies necessary to achieve to earn such credential; ``(V) the level of mastery of such skills and competencies (including how mastery necessary to achieve to earn such credential is assessed); and ``(VI) any transfer value or stackability of the credential; ``(ii) any skills or competencies developed by individuals who participate in such program beyond the skills and competencies identified as necessary to earn such credential; and ``(iii) related employment and earnings outcomes on the primary indicators of performance described in subclauses (I) through (III) of section 116(b)(2)(A)(i). ``(3) Additional activities.--In addition to the activities required under paragraph (2), an eligible institution that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds, in consultation with the employers in the eligible partnership described in paragraph (1), to carry out one or more of the following activities: ``(A) Establish, improve, or expand for the workforce development program carried out under the grant-- ``(i) articulation agreements (as defined in section 486A(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1093a(a))); ``(ii) credit transfer agreements; ``(iii) a corequisite remediation program that enables a student to receive remedial education services while enrolled in a postsecondary course rather than requiring the student to receive remedial education before enrolling in a such a course; ``(iv) a dual or concurrent enrollment