text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Skills Connection Act''.
  
  SEC. 2. CREATION OF SEARCHABLE DATABASE.
  
      (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
  enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall create a publicly 
  available, easily navigable, and searchable database containing the 
  following:
              (1) A registry of credentials (which may be certificates), 
          for purposes of enabling programs that lead to such a 
          credential to receive priority under a covered provision.
              (2) A skills database, for purposes of enabling programs 
          that lead to such a credential to receive priority under a 
          covered provision.
              (3) A jobs bank.
      (b) Credentials Registry.--In creating a registry of credentials, 
  the Secretary shall--
              (1) list the credential in the registry if the credential 
          is required by Federal or State law for an occupation (such as 
          a credential required by a State law regarding qualifications 
          for a health care occupation);
              (2) list the credential, and list an updated credential, in 
          the registry if the credential involved is an industry-
          recognized, nationally portable credential that is consistent 
          with the Secretary's established industry competency models and 
          is consistently updated through third party validation to 
          reflect changing industry competencies; and
              (3) for each credential listed in the registry, provide an 
          assessment of which skills listed in the skills database 
          created under subsection (c) align with or are related to the 
          requirements of the credential.
      (c) Skills Database.--In creating a skills database, the Secretary 
  shall--
              (1) list identifiable skills that are required for 
          employment in the manufacturing sector, as determined by the 
          Secretary--
                      (A) by using Manufacturing Institute-Endorsed 
                  Manufacturing Skills Certification System or similar 
                  resource; or
                      (B) by consulting with an organization similar to 
                  the Manufacturing Institute;
              (2) after consultation with the Manufacturing Institute or 
          similar organization and representatives of the Armed Forces 
          list identifiable skills developed through service in the Armed 
          Forces; and
              (3) for each skill listed under paragraphs (1) and (2), 
          include information about how that skill aligns with or is 
          related to the requirements for the credentials listed under 
          the credentials registry created under subsection (b).
      (d) Jobs Bank.--In creating a jobs bank, the Secretary shall--
              (1) enable job seekers to--
                      (A) enter basic information through the statewide 
                  employment statistics system established under section 
                  15 of the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49l-2) for their 
                  State of residence about their skills, experience, 
                  credentials, and preferred area of employment; and
                      (B) browse job listings submitted by employers to 
                  such jobs bank that match the credentials, experience, 
                  or other qualifications entered under subparagraph (A);
              (2) automatically match available jobs with job seekers who 
          have matching qualifications; and
              (3) enable information relating to shortages in certain 
          skills or credentials available to be utilized by State 
          workforce investment board established under section 111 of the 
          Workforce Investment Board of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 49j) and others 
          to inform decisions about how to allocate workforce development 
          resources.
      (e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed--
              (1) to require an entity with responsibility for selecting 
          or approving an education, training, or workforce investment 
          activities program with regard to a covered provision, to 
          select a program with a credential listed in the registry 
          described in subsection (b); or
              (2) to be an endorsement of a skill listed under the skills 
          database described in subsection (c) by the Secretary of Labor 
          or the Federal Government.
      (f) Availability of Funds.--For each fiscal year, funds shall be 
  available from the amount appropriated for each such fiscal year for 
  the Workforce Innovation Fund established under section 1801(a)(3) of 
  title VIII of division B of Public Law 112-10 for the costs of carrying 
  out the provisions of this Act.
      (g) Definitions.--In this section:
              (1) Armed forces.--The term ``Armed Forces'' means the 
          Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
              (2) Covered provision.--The term ``covered provision'' 
          means any of sections 129 and 134 of the Workforce Investment 
          Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2854, 2864), section 122(c)(1)(B) of the 
          Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 
          U.S.C. 2342(c)(1)(B)), and section 236 of the Trade Act of 1974 
          (19 U.S.C. 2296).
              (3) Industry recognized credential.--The term ``industry-
          recognized'', used with respect to a credential, means a 
          credential that--
                      (A) is sought or accepted by companies within the 
                  industry sector involved as recognized, preferred, or 
                  required for recruitment, screening, or hiring; and
                      (B) is endorsed by a nationally recognized trade 
                  association or organization representing a significant 
                  part of the industry sector.
              (4) Nationally portable.--The term ``nationally portable'', 
          used with respect to a credential, means a credential that is 
          sought or accepted by companies within the industry sector 
          involved, across multiple States, as recognized, preferred, or 
          required for recruitment, screening, or hiring.
              (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
          of Labor.
              (6) Workforce investment activities.--The term ``workforce 
          investment activities'' has the meaning given the term in 
          section 101 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 
          2801).
target: Skills Connection Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to create a searchable and publicly available database containing a registry of industry-recognized credentials, a skills database, and a jobs bank to enable programs that lead to such credentials to receive priority under:    youth workforce investment programs, statewide employment and training programs, career and technical programs, and training programs for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) workers.  Makes funds available from amounts appropriated for each fiscal year for the Workforce Innovation Fund for the costs of carrying out this Act.
feat_title: Skills Connection Act