Working On Rewarding and Keeping Employees Resilient Act or the WORKER Act
This bill addresses workforce development by advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, revising and implementing certain worker training, retention, and advancement programs.
The bill requires (1) the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to eligible entities to implement certain formal and informal engineering education programs in elementary and secondary schools, and (2) the use of certain career and technical education program funds for supporting a hands-on learning approach.
The bill establishes in the Department of Labor an Office of Apprenticeship, including a National Advisory Committee on Apprenticeships, to promote apprenticeship programs.
Labor and ED must establish a voluntary Registered Apprenticeship-College Collaborative consisting of the sponsors carrying out registered apprenticeship programs, two- or four-year post secondary educational institutions, and organizations that represent such programs or institutions.
To advance STEM education, provide for improved worker training, 
          retention, and advancement, 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 ``Working On Rewarding and Keeping 
Employees Resilient Act'' or the ``WORKER Act''.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
                   TITLE I--ADVANCING STEM EDUCATION

Sec. 101. Grant program.
Sec. 102. Table of contents.
         TITLE II--WORKER TRAINING, RETENTION, AND ADVANCEMENT

 Subtitle A--Leveraging Effective Apprenticeships To Rebuild National 
                                 Skills

Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. Definitions.
              Part 1--Promoting Registered Apprenticeships

Sec. 211. Promoting registered apprenticeship programs.
Sec. 212. Promoting integration with postsecondary education.
              Part 2--Program Development and Enhancement

Sec. 221. Expanding registered apprenticeship programs.
                 Subtitle B--Reemployment and Training

Sec. 231. Coordinating State unemployment compensation programs with 
                            the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity 
                            Act.
Sec. 232. Training stipends.
Sec. 233. Authorization of appropriations.
               TITLE III--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

Sec. 301. Authorization of appropriations.

                   TITLE I--ADVANCING STEM EDUCATION

SEC. 101. GRANT PROGRAM.

    Part F of title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7251 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 4601--
                    (A) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding 
                paragraph (1), by inserting ``(other than subpart 5)'' 
                after ``part''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations for Subpart 5.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out subpart 5--
            ``(1) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023; 
        and
            ``(2) $21,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 and 
        2025.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:

                   ``Subpart 5--Engineering Education

``SEC. 4651. GRANT PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

    ``(a) In General.--From amounts appropriated under section 4601(c), 
the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible 
entities to implement formal and informal engineering education 
programs in elementary schools and secondary schools to--
            ``(1) teach students the overall analytical and 
        experimental approaches used in engineering and engineering 
        technology; and
            ``(2) increase participation of under-represented student 
        groups in the engineering and engineering technology pipeline.
    ``(b) Maximum Grant Amount.--A grant awarded under this subpart may 
not exceed $1,000,000.
    ``(c) Matching Funds.--An eligible entity receiving a grant under 
this subpart shall provide non-Federal funds in amount equal to the 
grant amount. Such non-Federal funds may include in-kind support (such 
as equipment, supplies, materials, and participation of personnel in 
the development and implementation of activities to be carried out 
under the grant).
    ``(d) Uses of Funds.--
            ``(1) In general.--An eligible entity receiving a grant 
        under this subpart shall use such funds to carry out a program 
        that--
                    ``(A) provides engineering instructional materials 
                based on review and analysis of the effectiveness of 
                existing formal, or informal research-based and 
                evidenced-based locally relevant instructional 
                materials;
                    ``(B) provides professional development for pre-
                service and in-service teachers to teach engineering;
                    ``(C) provides instructions on engineering and 
                engineering technology during normal classroom hours or 
                after school;
                    ``(D) incorporates evidence-based practices to 
                increase diversity of student groups participating in 
                the program;
                    ``(E) encourages participation of engineers from 
                local private and public organizations to mentor the 
                teachers and students;
                    ``(F) encourages engineering faculty and students 
                from institutions of higher education as mentors for 
                the elementary school or secondary school students, and 
                teachers as appropriate; and
                    ``(G) encourages members of local workforce who use 
                engineering technology and methods in the workplace to 
                serve as mentors to teachers and students.
            ``(2) Public-private partnerships.--Each eligible entity 
        awarded a grant under this subpart shall be encouraged to carry 
        out the program funded under the grant in partnership with one 
        or more of the following:
                    ``(A) Elementary schools or secondary schools 
                receiving assistance under this subpart.
                    ``(B) Institutions of higher education.
                    ``(C) Private sector businesses.
                    ``(D) Nonprofit organizations.
                    ``(E) Community-based organizations.
                    ``(F) Public or private entities with demonstrated 
                record of success in delivering educational support.
                    ``(G) Summer school programs.
                    ``(H) Registered apprenticeship programs (meaning a 
                program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 
                (commonly known as the `National Apprenticeship Act'; 
                50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.)).
    ``(e) Applications.--An application for a grant under this subpart 
submitted by an eligible entity shall demonstrate long-term commitment 
for the proposed program through--
            ``(1) providing laboratory and instructional space;
            ``(2) establishing ongoing professional training programs 
        for pre-service and in-service teachers and teachers in-
        residence; and
            ``(3) commitment to scaling successful programs for 
        engineering and engineering technology education in elementary 
        schools and secondary schools under the jurisdiction of the 
        eligible entity.
    ``(f) Priority.--In awarding grants under this subpart, the 
Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that serve under-
represented minorities in engineering.
    ``(g) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a 
        consortium of local educational agencies.
            ``(2) Instructional materials.--The term `instructional 
        materials' means materials that--
                    ``(A) emphasize--
                            ``(i) engineering fundamentals and 
                        concepts, problem-based learning; and
                            ``(ii) essential skills such as systems 
                        thinking, creativity, teamwork, communication, 
                        and ethical considerations;
                    ``(B) are designed to introduce students to modern 
                engineering and engineering technology tools such as 
                computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, 
                statistical analysis, codes and standards, human 
                factors, and reliability analysis; and
                    ``(C) are aligned with and integrated into relevant 
                science, engineering, and mathematics standards that 
                may exist in the applicable State or may be developed.

``SEC. 4652. ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS.

    ``Not later than 1 year after the first grant is awarded under this 
subpart, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall provide a report 
to Congress on activities and results under this subpart. Such reports 
shall describe--
            ``(1) the total number of grant applications received for 
        the preceding year;
            ``(2) the number and geographic distribution of the grants 
        for such year and for all grants awarded under this subpart;
            ``(3) participation of minority-serving institutions of 
        higher education, such as historically Black colleges and 
        universities and Hispanic-serving institutions;
            ``(4) participation of under-represented and economically 
        disadvantaged student groups;
            ``(5) plans for collaboration among eligible entities 
        receiving a grant under this subpart;
            ``(6) overall program outcomes and issues of concern; and
            ``(7) recommendations for program revisions to achieve the 
        desired program outcome.''.

SEC. 102. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    The table of contents in section 2 of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 4644 the following:

                   ``subpart 5--engineering education

``Sec. 4651. Grant program authorized.
``Sec. 4652. Annual report to Congress.''.

         TITLE II--WORKER TRAINING, RETENTION, AND ADVANCEMENT

 Subtitle A--Leveraging Effective Apprenticeships To Rebuild National 
                                 Skills

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

    This subtitle may be cited as the ``Leveraging Effective 
Apprenticeships to Rebuild National Skills Act'' or the ``LEARNS Act''.

SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.

    In this subtitle:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the Office of Apprenticeship appointed under 
        section 211(a).
            (2) Apprenticeship-readiness program.--The term 
        ``apprenticeship-readiness program'' means a program or set of 
        strategies that--
                    (A) is designed to prepare individuals to enter and 
                succeed in a registered apprenticeship program;
                    (B) is carried out by an eligible entity described 
                in section 211(b)(2)(C) that has an application 
                approved under section 211(b)(3) and that has a 
                documented partnership with at least 1 sponsor of a 
                registered apprenticeship program; and
                    (C) includes each of the following elements:
                            (i) Training (including a curriculum for 
                        the training), aligned with industry standards 
                        and reviewed and approved annually by sponsors 
                        of the registered apprenticeships within the 
                        documented partnership, that will prepare 
                        individuals by teaching the skills and 
                        competencies needed to enter one or more 
                        registered apprenticeship programs.
                            (ii) Provision of hands-on training and 
                        theoretical education to individuals that--
                                    (I) accurately simulates the 
                                industry and occupational conditions of 
                                the registered apprenticeship program 
                                described in subparagraph (B);
                                    (II) is carried out in a manner 
                                that includes proper observation of 
                                supervision and safety protocols; and
                                    (III) is carried out in a manner 
                                that does not displace a paid employee.
                            (iii) A formal agreement with a sponsor of 
                        a registered apprenticeship program that would 
                        enable participants who successfully complete 
                        the apprenticeship-readiness program to enter 
                        directly into the registered apprenticeship 
                        program (if a place in the program is 
                        available), and includes agreements concerning 
                        earning credit recognized by a postsecondary 
                        educational institution for skills and 
                        competencies acquired during the 
                        apprenticeship-readiness program.
            (3) 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).
            (4) Educational service agency.--The term ``educational 
        service agency''--
                    (A) has the meaning given the term in section 8101 
                of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
                (20 U.S.C. 7801); and
                    (B) includes a collaborative of those agencies.
            (5) High school.--The term ``high school'' means a 
        nonprofit institutional day or residential school that--
                    (A) provides secondary education, as determined 
                under State law;
                    (B) grants a diploma, as defined by the State; and
                    (C) includes, at least, grade 12.
            (6) In-demand industry sector or occupation.--The term 
        ``in-demand industry sector or occupation'' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and 
        Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
            (7) Local and state workforce development boards.--The 
        terms ``local workforce development board'' and ``State 
        workforce development board'' have the meanings given the terms 
        ``local board'' and ``State board'', respectively, in section 3 
        of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
        3102).
            (8) National apprenticeship system.--The term ``national 
        apprenticeship system'' means the collective group of 
        registered apprenticeship programs and apprenticeship-readiness 
        programs in the Nation (including the rules and regulations 
        governing the 2 types of programs).
            (9) Postsecondary educational institution.--The term 
        ``postsecondary educational institution'' means an institution 
        of higher education, as defined in section 102 of the Higher 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).
            (10) 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).
            (11) Registered apprenticeship program.--The term 
        ``registered apprenticeship program'' means a program 
        registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as 
        the ``National Apprenticeship Act''; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 
        29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.).
            (12) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Labor, acting through the Administrator.
            (13) Sponsor.--The term ``sponsor'' means an employer, 
        joint labor-management partnership, trade association, 
        professional association, labor organization, or other entity 
        that administers a registered apprenticeship program.

              PART 1--PROMOTING REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS

SEC. 211. PROMOTING REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

    (a) Establishment of the Office of Apprenticeship.--
            (1) Office.--There is established, in the Employment and 
        Training Administration of the Department of Labor, an Office 
        of Apprenticeship.
            (2) Administrator.--The Office shall be headed by an 
        Administrator of the Office of Apprenticeship appointed by the 
        Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training. The Assistant 
        Secretary shall appoint an individual who has the demonstrated 
        knowledge of registered apprenticeship programs necessary to 
        serve as the Administrator.
            (3) Responsibilities.--The Administrator, through the 
        Office of Apprenticeship, shall carry out responsibilities 
        including--
                    (A) determining whether an apprenticeship program 
                meets the requirements to become a registered 
                apprenticeship program and maintains the standards 
                necessary to remain a registered apprenticeship 
                program;
                    (B) managing the national apprenticeship system;
                    (C) carrying out activities under subsection (b) to 
                promote effective apprenticeship-readiness programs;
                    (D) promoting awareness about registered 
                apprenticeship programs, including carrying out 
                activities under subsection (c);
                    (E) engaging in regular updates of the registration 
                process, ensuring that such process is easily 
                accessible and efficient for use by sponsors of 
                registered apprenticeship programs;
                    (F) regularly engaging with the National Advisory 
                Committee on Apprenticeships, established under 
                subsection (d), and ensuring that the required reports 
                of the Committee are submitted to the Secretary and 
                transmitted to Congress;
                    (G) promoting greater diversity in registered 
                apprenticeship programs and apprenticeship-readiness 
                programs, including by promoting outreach to 
                underrepresented populations, youth, and veterans, and 
                supporting the development of apprenticeship models;
                    (H) promoting outreach to English language learners 
                through multi-lingual curriculum;
                    (I) providing for evaluations and research, as 
                described in subsection (e);
                    (J) providing technical assistance to sponsors of 
                registered apprenticeship programs, entities who are 
                interested in developing and becoming sponsors of 
                registered apprenticeship programs, and eligible 
                entities carrying out apprenticeship-readiness 
                programs; and
                    (K) coordinating and aligning registered 
                apprenticeship programs with other Federal education 
                and training programs, including those authorized under 
                the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
                3101 et seq.) and the Carl D. Perkins Career and 
                Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et 
                seq.).
    (b) Supporting the Development of Apprenticeship-Readiness 
Programs.--
            (1) Support.--The Secretary shall support the development 
        of apprenticeship-readiness programs.
            (2) Grants.--
                    (A) In general.--Using funds available under 
                subsection (f), the Secretary shall make grants on a 
                competitive basis to eligible entities to provide the 
                Federal share of the cost of carrying out projects that 
                support that development.
                    (B) Period.--The Secretary shall make initial 
                grants under this paragraph for periods of not more 
                than 3 years, except that if an eligible entity 
                demonstrates satisfactory performance under paragraph 
                (6) by the end of the third year, the Secretary may 
                extend the grant period for not more than an additional 
                1 year for that entity.
                    (C) Eligible entity.--To be eligible to receive a 
                grant from the Secretary under this subsection, an 
                entity shall be a public-private partnership consisting 
                of--
                            (i) a local educational agency, high 
                        school, area career and technical education 
                        school (as defined in section 3 of the Carl D. 
                        Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 
                        2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302)), educational service 
                        agency, 2- or 4-year postsecondary educational 
                        institution, or collaborative of such entities;
                            (ii) in a State with a State entity 
                        recognized by the Secretary of Labor to 
                        register apprenticeship programs in that State, 
                        that entity;
                            (iii) an industry or business, consisting 
                        of an employer, a group of employers, a trade 
                        association, a professional association, or an 
                        entity that sponsors a registered 
                        apprenticeship program;
                            (iv) a State workforce development board or 
                        local workforce development board; and
                            (v) to the maximum extent practicable--
                                    (I) a labor organization associated 
                                with the industry or occupation related 
                                to the apprenticeship-readiness program 
                                involved; and
                                    (II) a community-based organization 
                                that provides apprenticeship-readiness 
                                programs, as appropriate.
            (3) Applications.--To be eligible to receive a grant from 
        the Secretary under this subsection, an entity shall submit an 
        application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
        containing such information as the Secretary may require, 
        including--
                    (A) a description of the training and curriculum 
                that will be used to carry out the program and how the 
                proposed apprenticeship-readiness program makes 
                individuals who successfully complete the 
                apprenticeship-readiness program qualified to enter 
                into an established registered apprenticeship program;
                    (B) evidence that there are or will be sufficient 
                openings available in the registered apprenticeship 
                program referenced in subparagraph (A) to enable the 
                registered apprenticeship program sponsor to place into 
                a corresponding registered apprenticeship those 
                individuals who successfully complete the 
                apprenticeship-readiness program;
                    (C) information about the entity that demonstrates 
                the existence of an active, advisory partnership 
                between the partners described in paragraph (2)(C) and 
                the capacity, of a training and education provider in 
                the entity, to provide the training and education 
                services necessary for an apprenticeship-readiness 
                program; and
                    (D) information about the apprenticeship-readiness 
                program that demonstrates--
                            (i) that the program is in an in-demand 
                        industry or occupation in the region in which 
                        the project is located;
                            (ii) the use of integrated work-based and 
                        academic learning that may include training in 
                        the workplace;
                            (iii) the inclusion of career exploration 
                        focused activities, such as job shadowing, 
                        career information activities, and resume 
                        preparation, in the program;
                            (iv) if the entity carrying out the program 
                        includes a high school, that the model to be 
                        used for the program leads to a high school 
                        diploma for participants without such a 
                        diploma;
                            (v) how the apprenticeship-readiness 
                        program is aligned with and leverages resources 
                        of career and technical education programs, 
                        programs and services authorized under the 
                        Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
                        U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), or activities of entities 
                        that provide supportive services for 
                        participants in apprenticeship-readiness 
                        programs; and
                            (vi) that the project aligns with an 
                        established registered apprenticeship program, 
                        including that the model used for the program 
                        leads to the attainment of skills and 
                        competencies necessary for entrance into the 
                        registered apprenticeship program for 
                        participants.
            (4) Use of funds.--
                    (A) In general.--An eligible entity that receives a 
                grant under this subsection shall use the grant funds 
                to carry out a project that implements an 
                apprenticeship-readiness program.
                    (B) Required activities.--The eligible entity shall 
                use the grant funds--
                            (i) to pay for the cost of training or 
                        education associated with the apprenticeship-
                        readiness program;
                            (ii) for curriculum development that align 
                        with the requirements of the appropriate 
                        registered apprenticeship programs and learning 
                        assessments;
                            (iii) to maintain a connection between the 
                        apprenticeship-readiness program and registered 
                        apprenticeship program;
                            (iv) for assessments of potential 
                        participants for, and enrollment of the 
                        participants in, the apprenticeship-readiness 
                        program; and
                            (v) to conduct evaluations described in 
                        paragraph (6)(B).
                    (C) Allowable activities.--The eligible entity may 
                use the grant funds for--
                            (i) teacher training, including providing 
                        externship opportunities for teachers to learn 
                        about the skill needs of the industry or 
                        occupation that the apprenticeship-readiness 
                        program focuses on;
                            (ii) stipends for participants during work-
                        based training in the program; or
                            (iii) coordination of activities under this 
                        subsection with activities carried out under 
                        the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical 
                        Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) 
                        or the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
                        (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.).
            (5) Federal share.--
                    (A) In general.--The Federal share of the cost 
                described in paragraph (2)(A) shall be 75 percent.
                    (B) Non-federal share.--The eligible entity may 
                contribute the non-Federal share of the cost in cash or 
                in-kind, fairly evaluated, including plant, equipment, 
                or services.
            (6) Performance.--
                    (A) Measures.--The Secretary shall identify a set 
                of common measures that, at a minimum, include measures 
                of entry into a registered apprenticeship program and 
                that are aligned with performance accountability 
                measures described in section 116(c) of the Workforce 
                Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3141(c)) for 
                the local workforce development area (meaning a local 
                area, as defined in section 3 of that Act) and with 
                corresponding measures under the Carl D. Perkins Career 
                and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et 
                seq.), as appropriate.
                    (B) Evaluations.--Each eligible entity that 
                receives a grant to carry out a project under this 
                subsection shall arrange for another qualified entity 
                to conduct an evaluation, or shall participate in a 
                Department of Labor sponsored evaluation, of the 
                project using the identified common measures, and 
                shall, to the extent practicable, cooperate with the 
                evaluator in any evaluations of activities carried out 
                under this section.
                    (C) Extensions.--The Secretary shall use the 
                results of an evaluation for a project to determine 
                whether to extend the grant period, or renew a grant, 
                for the project under paragraph (2)(B).
    (c) Promoting Awareness of Registered Apprenticeship Programs.--
            (1) In general.--To promote awareness about registered 
        apprenticeship programs, the Secretary, in cooperation with the 
        Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Commerce, the 
        Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Energy, and the 
        Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, shall ensure that 
        timely, current information about the value of registered 
        apprenticeship programs in the labor market is made available 
        through a range of widely accessible formats and venues. The 
        information shall be made available to businesses, trade 
        associations, professional associations, students, parents, 
        workers, educational institutions, workforce and economic 
        development organizations, and State and local elected 
        officials.
            (2) Information for state and local workforce development 
        boards.--To promote awareness about registered apprenticeship 
        programs within the workforce development system, the Secretary 
        shall disseminate information on the value of registered 
        apprenticeship programs, to State workforce development boards 
        and local workforce development boards described in subsection 
        (b)(2)(C)(iv), which information shall include--
                    (A) a list of registered apprenticeship programs in 
                the State involved;
                    (B) guidance for training staff of the workforce 
                development system within the State on the value of 
                registered apprenticeship programs, including relevant 
                placement, retention, and earnings information, as a 
                training option for participants;
                    (C) guidance on how individual training accounts 
                under section 134(c)(3) of the Workforce Innovation and 
                Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(3)) could be used by 
                participants for a registered apprenticeship program; 
                and
                    (D) guidance on how performance accountability 
                measures under section 116 of the Workforce Innovation 
                and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3141) apply to 
                participants in registered apprenticeship programs, 
                including relevant placement, retention, and earnings 
                information.
            (3) Information for employers, trade associations, 
        professional associations, industry groups, and labor 
        organizations.--To promote awareness about registered 
        apprenticeship programs to workers and employers, the 
        Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Education, the 
        Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Transportation, the 
        Secretary of Energy, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
        Development, shall provide information about the value of 
        registered apprenticeship programs, including relevant 
        placement, retention, and earnings information, through the 
        one-stop delivery systems described in section 121 of the 
        Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3151), to 
        employers, trade associations, professional associations, 
        industry groups, and labor organizations, which information 
        shall include, at a minimum--
                    (A) a list of registered apprenticeship programs in 
                the State;
                    (B) information on how to develop a registered 
                apprenticeship program; and
                    (C) information on financial resources available to 
                assist with the establishment and implementation of 
                registered apprenticeship programs.
            (4) Information for students and schools.--To promote 
        awareness about registered apprenticeship programs among 
        students and school staff, the Secretary, in cooperation with 
        the Secretary of Education, shall disseminate information on 
        the value of registered apprenticeship programs, including 
        relevant placement, retention, and earnings information, to 
        high schools, area career and technical education schools (as 
        defined in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and 
        Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302)), 2- and 4-
        year postsecondary educational institutions, and educational 
        service agencies, to enable, at a minimum--
                    (A) parents to understand registered apprenticeship 
                programs and their value in postsecondary education and 
                career pathways;
                    (B) students to understand registered 
                apprenticeship programs and their value in career 
                pathways;
                    (C) career and academic counselors to understand 
                registered apprenticeship programs as a valuable 
                postsecondary education option for students leading to 
                job placement in in-demand industry sectors or 
                occupations; and
                    (D) school administrators, workforce and economic 
                development coordinators, and teachers and faculty to 
                assist with the development, implementation, and 
                continuation of registered apprenticeship programs.
    (d) Secretary's National Advisory Committee on Apprenticeships.--
            (1) Establishment.--
                    (A) In general.--There is established in the 
                Department of Labor a National Advisory Committee on 
                Apprenticeships, referred to in this section as the 
                ``Advisory Committee''.
                    (B) Composition.--The Advisory Committee shall 
                have--
                            (i) 21 voting members appointed by the 
                        Secretary, composed of--
                                    (I) 7 representatives of employers 
                                who participate in a registered 
                                apprenticeship program, including 
                                employers who participate in a 
                                registered apprenticeship program 
                                sponsored by a joint labor-management 
                                partnership;
                                    (II) 7 representatives of labor 
                                organizations who have responsibility 
                                for the administration of a registered 
                                apprenticeship program sponsored by a 
                                joint labor-management partnership; and
                                    (III) 7 representatives of State 
                                apprenticeship agencies, community 
                                organizations with significant 
                                experience with a registered 
                                apprenticeship program, and 2- or 4-
                                year postsecondary educational 
                                institutions with at least one 
                                articulation agreement with the entity 
                                administering a registered 
                                apprenticeship program; and
                            (ii) members who are ex officio nonvoting 
                        representatives from the Departments of Labor, 
                        Commerce, Education, Energy, Housing and Urban 
                        Development, and Health and Human Services.
                    (C) Qualifications.--The members shall be selected 
                upon the basis of their experience and competence 
                concerning apprenticeships.
                    (D) Terms.--The Secretary shall appoint the members 
                for terms of 4 years.
            (2) Chairperson.--The Secretary shall designate one of the 
        members of the Advisory Committee to serve as Chairperson of 
        the Advisory Committee.
            (3) Meetings.--The Advisory Committee shall hold not fewer 
        than 2 meetings during each calendar year. All meetings of the 
        Advisory Committee shall be open to the public. A transcript 
        shall be kept of each meeting and made available for public 
        inspection.
            (4) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall advise, consult 
        with, and make recommendations to the Secretary on matters 
        relating to the administration of this part and the Act of 
        August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the ``National 
        Apprenticeship Act''; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 
        et seq.).
            (5) Personnel.--
                    (A) Procurement.--
                            (i) In general.--The Chairperson of the 
                        Advisory Committee may procure the temporary 
                        and intermittent services of voting members of 
                        the Advisory Committee under section 3109(b) of 
                        title 5, United States Code, at rates for 
                        individuals that do not exceed the daily 
                        equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay 
                        prescribed for level V of the Executive 
                        Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
                            (ii) Officers or employees of the united 
                        states.--All members of the Advisory Committee 
                        who are officers or employees of the United 
                        States shall serve without compensation in 
                        addition to that received for their services as 
                        officers or employees of the United States.
                    (B) Staff.--The Secretary shall supply the Advisory 
                Committee with an executive secretary and provide such 
                secretarial, clerical, and other services as the 
                Secretary determines to be necessary to enable the 
                Advisory Committee to conduct its business.
            (6) Permanent committee.--Section 14 of the Federal 
        Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the 
        Advisory Committee.
    (e) Evaluations and Research.--
            (1) Evaluations of programs and activities carried out 
        under this part.--For the purpose of improving the management 
        and effectiveness of the programs and activities carried out 
        under this part, the Secretary shall provide for the continuing 
        evaluation, by an independent entity, of the programs and 
        activities, including activities carried out under subsection 
        (a)(3)(C). Such evaluations shall address--
                    (A) the general effectiveness of such programs and 
                activities in relation to their cost, including the 
                extent to which the programs and activities--
                            (i) improve the skill and employment 
                        competencies of participants in comparison to 
                        comparably situated individuals who did not 
                        participate in such programs and activities; 
                        and
                            (ii) to the extent feasible, increase the 
                        level of total employment and recognized 
                        postsecondary credential attainment over the 
                        level that would have existed in the absence of 
                        such programs and activities;
                    (B) the impact of the programs and activities for 
                the participants, sponsors, and employers;
                    (C) the return on investment of Federal, State, 
                local, sponsor, employer, and other funding for 
                registered apprenticeships to capture the full level of 
                investment in, and impact of, registered 
                apprenticeships;
                    (D) the longitudinal outcomes for participants in 
                the programs and activities;
                    (E) the impact of specific policies on the general 
                effectiveness of such programs and activities; and
                    (F) the degree to which training to obtain skill 
                and employment competencies relevant to new and 
                emerging technologies were incorporated into the 
                program.
            (2) Research.--The Secretary may conduct, through an 
        independent entity, research on best practices in registered 
        apprenticeship programs and apprenticeship-readiness programs 
        and other issues relating to such programs.
            (3) Techniques.--Evaluations and research conducted under 
        this subsection shall utilize appropriate methodology and 
        research designs.
            (4) Reports.--The independent entity carrying out the 
        evaluations described in paragraph (1) or research described in 
        paragraph (2) shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a final 
        report containing the results of the evaluations or research, 
        respectively, and including policy recommendations. The final 
        report shall be made available for public inspection. Not later 
        than 36 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
        Secretary shall produce a final report related to the return on 
        investment described in paragraph (1)(C).
            (5) Reports to congress.--Not later than 60 days after the 
        completion of all the final reports described in paragraph (4), 
        the Secretary shall transmit the final reports to the Committee 
        on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the 
        Committee on Education and Labor of the House of 
        Representatives.
            (6) Public access.--The Secretary shall develop a mechanism 
        to make research developed under this part publicly available 
        in a timely manner.
    (f) Reservation.--The Secretary shall reserve not less than 10 
percent of the funds appropriated under subsection (g) for each fiscal 
year for grants to States. A State that receives such a grant shall use 
the grant funds for the purpose of assisting the Administrator in 
carrying out the activities under this section, and may use the grant 
funds to support the voluntary establishment of a State apprenticeship 
office, if no such office exists in the State.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 
and each subsequent year.

SEC. 212. PROMOTING INTEGRATION WITH POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Collaborative.--The term ``Collaborative'' means the 
        Registered Apprenticeship-College Collaborative established 
        under subsection (b)(1).
            (2) Secretaries.--The term ``Secretaries'' means the 
        Secretary of Labor, acting through the Administrator, working 
        jointly with the Secretary of Education, acting through the 
        Assistant Secretary for the Office of Career, Technical, and 
        Adult Education.
    (b) Collaborative With 2- and 4-Year Postsecondary Educational 
Institutions.--
            (1) Establishment.--The Secretaries shall establish and 
        maintain a voluntary Registered Apprenticeship-College 
        Collaborative. The Collaborative shall consist of the sponsors 
        carrying out registered apprenticeship programs, 2- or 4-year 
        postsecondary educational institutions, and organizations that 
        represent such programs or institutions, that agree to meet 
        certain criteria in order to support the purposes described in 
        paragraph (2).
            (2) Purposes.--The Collaborative shall support the purposes 
        of--
                    (A) promoting stronger connections between the 
                registered apprenticeship programs involved and 
                participating 2- and 4-year postsecondary educational 
                institutions;
                    (B) promoting the translation of experience in a 
                registered apprenticeship program to academic credit at 
                participating 2- and 4-year postsecondary educational 
                institutions;
                    (C) facilitating the enrollment of an individual 
                who has completed a registered apprenticeship program 
                (referred to in this section as an ``apprentice'') at a 
                participating 2- or 4-year postsecondary educational 
                institution for the purpose of attaining academic 
                credit toward an associate's or more advanced degree;
                    (D) advancing the attainment of associate's and 
                more advanced degrees by apprentices;
                    (E) promoting the attainment of recognized 
                postsecondary credentials with value in the labor 
                market;
                    (F) expanding awareness about the value of 
                registered apprenticeship programs as a postsecondary 
                education option; and
                    (G) maintaining the quality and rigor of 
                traditional registered apprenticeship programs.
            (3) Participant requirements.--The Secretaries shall 
        establish criteria that any interested 2- or 4-year 
        postsecondary educational institution or sponsor shall meet in 
        order to participate in the Collaborative, which criteria shall 
        include, at a minimum--
                    (A) for a 2- or 4-year postsecondary educational 
                institution--
                            (i) agreement to recognize and accept the 
                        academic credit (as assessed under subparagraph 
                        (B)(i)) earned by an apprentice for, and the 
                        assessment of the apprentice's learning in, a 
                        registered apprenticeship program at another 
                        participating institution;
                            (ii) agreement to have a formal 
                        articulation agreement with a participating 
                        sponsor of a registered apprenticeship program, 
                        other than a 2- or 4-year postsecondary 
                        educational institution; and
                            (iii) agreement to provide certain 
                        information, as determined by the Secretaries, 
                        to the Collaborative; and
                    (B) for a sponsor--
                            (i) agreement to participate in third-party 
                        evaluations of the quality and rigor of the 
                        program offerings in order to determine the 
                        value of academic credit for learning during a 
                        registered apprenticeship program;
                            (ii) agreement to have a formal 
                        articulation agreement with a participating 2- 
                        or 4-year postsecondary educational 
                        institution; and
                            (iii) agreement to provide certain 
                        information, as determined by the Secretaries, 
                        to the Collaborative.
            (4) Memorandum of understanding.--
                    (A) In general.--In order to participate in the 
                Collaborative, interested 2- or 4-year postsecondary 
                educational institutions and sponsors shall agree to 
                meet certain conditions determined by the Secretaries.
                    (B) Conditions.--Such conditions shall address, at 
                a minimum--
                            (i) how learning during a registered 
                        apprenticeship program, including related 
                        instruction and on-the-job training, will be 
                        assessed for academic credit;
                            (ii) how programs and procedures, 
                        especially those related to admissions, credit 
                        transfer, and recognition of such learning will 
                        be structured to support accessibility for 
                        apprentices;
                            (iii) how the structure and scheduling of 
                        courses will be developed in a way that 
                        supports the matriculation of apprentices; and
                            (iv) how residency requirements will 
                        support the transferability of credit earned by 
                        apprentices.
            (5) Publicly available information.--The Secretaries shall 
        maintain a publicly accessible website identifying, at a 
        minimum--
                    (A) the participating members of the Collaborative 
                in each State;
                    (B) a model for articulation agreements, and copies 
                of some exemplary articulation agreements for 
                illustrative purposes; and
                    (C) such other information as the Secretaries 
                determine to be necessary to promote awareness of the 
                Collaborative and its members.
            (6) Use of funds.--
                    (A) Administrative.--The Secretaries shall use 30 
                percent of the funds available under subsection (c) to 
                establish and maintain the Collaborative and the 
                website described in paragraph (5), to support the 
                National Advisory Committee on Apprenticeships 
                established under section 211(d) and for technical 
                assistance, evaluation, and research activities.
                    (B) For program participants.--The Secretaries 
                shall use 70 percent of the funds available under 
                subsection (c) to carry out, directly or by grant or 
                contract with an eligible entity, activities consisting 
                of--
                            (i) providing funding to Collaborative 
                        participants to support the development of 
                        articulation agreements with other 
                        Collaborative participants;
                            (ii) providing funding to the Collaborative 
                        to support the assessment of learning during a 
                        registered apprenticeship program, for academic 
                        credit;
                            (iii) providing funding to the 
                        Collaborative to support third-party 
                        evaluations of the quality and rigor of program 
                        offerings, described in paragraph (3)(B)(i), 
                        which evaluations shall be conducted by an 
                        entity that meets minimum criteria as 
                        established by the Secretaries;
                            (iv) providing curriculum development, for 
                        participating institutions and sponsors of the 
                        Collaborative; and
                            (v) carrying out other purposes that will 
                        help participating institutions and sponsors of 
                        the Collaborative meet the requirements of 
                        paragraphs (3) and (4).
                    (C) Eligible entities.--To be eligible to receive a 
                grant or contract under subparagraph (B), an entity 
                shall be a partnership comprised of--
                            (i) at least one 2- or 4-year postsecondary 
                        educational institution participating in the 
                        Collaborative; and
                            (ii) at least one sponsor of a registered 
                        apprenticeship program participating in the 
                        Collaborative.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 
and each subsequent year.

              PART 2--PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND ENHANCEMENT

SEC. 221. EXPANDING REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall provide payments of assistance 
for eligible sponsors of new (as of the date of submission of an 
application under subsection (b)) registered apprenticeship programs, 
or for eligible sponsors of existing registered apprenticeship programs 
that add employers as new (as of such date) partners, which may include 
joint labor-management registered apprenticeship programs.
    (b) Applications.--To be eligible to receive payments under this 
section for a registered apprenticeship program, a sponsor shall submit 
an application to the Secretary including information demonstrating 
that (as of the date of submission)--
            (1)(A) the program received recognition as a registered 
        apprenticeship program within the 36 months preceding that 
        date; or
            (B) the program (which may include a joint labor-management 
        registered apprenticeship program) added employers as new 
        partners within the 36 months preceding that date;
            (2) the sponsor offered jobs that lead to economic self-
        sufficiency, as determined by a local workforce development 
        board located in the same local workforce development area 
        (meaning a local area, as defined in section 3 of the Workforce 
        Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102));
            (3) the sponsor has demonstrated success in enrolling, 
        instructing, advancing, and graduating individuals in the 
        relevant registered apprenticeship program, and in the 
        employment of such individuals after completion of the program; 
        and
            (4) the sponsor had not received a payment under subsection 
        (d) for that registered apprenticeship program.
    (c) Use of Funds.--In providing assistance under this section, the 
Secretary shall arrange to provide payments as described in subsection 
(a) for eligible sponsors, as funds are available under this section. 
Funds made available through such a payment shall be used to reimburse 
an eligible sponsor for the allowable costs of establishing or 
expanding the registered apprenticeship program involved. The maximum 
total payment to any one sponsor may not exceed $25,000 or 50 percent 
of the allowable costs, whichever amount is less.
    (d) Disbursement.--The Secretary shall enter into arrangements with 
State workforce development boards to make disbursements through the 
local workforce development boards described in subsection (b)(2) to 
provide the payments to the eligible sponsors.
    (e) Evaluations.--Sponsors receiving payments under this section 
shall, to the extent practicable, cooperate with the Secretary in the 
conduct of evaluations of the activities carried out under this 
section.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
        carry out this section $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 and 
        each subsequent fiscal year.
            (2) Reservation.--The Secretary may reserve 5 percent of 
        the amount appropriated under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year 
        for distribution to the State workforce development boards and 
        local workforce development boards, to pay for the costs of the 
        boards associated with making determinations under subsection 
        (b)(2) and disbursements under subsection (d), and as funds 
        remain available, other costs of administration and management, 
        technical assistance, research, and evaluation under this 
        subtitle.

                 Subtitle B--Reemployment and Training

SEC. 231. COORDINATING STATE UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION PROGRAMS WITH 
              THE WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT.

    (a) Referrals to WIOA Services.--Section 303(j)(1)(B) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 503(j)(1)(B)) is amended by striking ``job 
search assistance services,'' and inserting ``career services 
(including job search assistance and job relocation assistance), 
training services, and income support services (such as career 
services, training services, and needs-related, wage insurance, and 
income support payments, available under section 134 or 135 of the 
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174 et seq.)),''.
    (b) Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments.--Section 
306(b)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 506(b)(3)) is amended 
by striking ``program integration and service delivery'' and inserting 
``program integration, service delivery, support services, and 
availability of training services''.

SEC. 232. TRAINING STIPENDS.

    (a) References.--Except as otherwise expressly provided in this 
section, wherever in this section an amendment is expressed in terms of 
an amendment to a section or other provision, the reference shall be 
considered to be made to that section or other provision of the 
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.).
    (b) Functions of the State Board.--Section 101(d)(3) (29 U.S.C. 
3111(d)(3)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``; and'' and 
        inserting a semicolon;
            (2) in subparagraph (G), by striking the semicolon and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(H) the development of strategies to promote the 
                integration of workforce development services provided 
                to unemployment insurance claimants.''.
    (c) Local Plans.--Section 108(b) (29 U.S.C. 3123(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (21), by striking ``; and'' and inserting 
        a semicolon;
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (22) as paragraph (23); and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (21) the following:
            ``(22) a description of how training services will be 
        administered; and''.
    (d) Required Local Employment and Training Activities for Adults 
and Dislocated Workers.--
            (1) Training stipends.--Section 134(c)(3) (29 U.S.C. 
        3174(c)(3)) is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)(i)--
                            (i) by inserting ``stipends for'' after 
                        ``used to provide''; and
                            (ii) by striking subclause (II) and 
                        inserting the following:
                                    ``(II) who select programs of 
                                training services that are linked to 
                                employment opportunities;'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (F)--
                            (i) in clause (iii)--
                                    (I) by striking the clause heading 
                                and inserting the following:
                            ``(iii) Training stipends.--''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``through an 
                                individual training account'' and 
                                inserting ``through a training 
                                stipend''; and
                            (ii) in clause (iv), by striking 
                        ``coordinate funding for individual training 
                        accounts with funding from other Federal, 
                        State, local, or private job training programs 
                        or sources to assist the individual in 
                        obtaining training services.'' and inserting 
                        ``assist the individual in obtaining training 
                        services and arrange for payments for such 
                        services through a training stipend. Such 
                        payments may not exceed $8,000, or be available 
                        for more than 2 years of training services, per 
                        individual.''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (G)--
                            (i) by striking the subparagraph heading 
                        and inserting the following:
                    ``(G) Use of stipends.--'';
                            (ii) in clauses (i), (ii)(III), and (iv), 
                        by striking ``individual training accounts'' 
                        each place it appears and inserting ``training 
                        stipends''; and
                            (iii) in clause (ii), in the matter 
                        preceding subclause (I), by striking ``an 
                        individual training account'' and inserting ``a 
                        stipend''.
            (2) Income support.--Section 134(d)(1)(B) (29 U.S.C. 
        3174(d)(1)(B)) is amended--
                    (A) in clause (i), by inserting ``and provide 
                income support for those workers participating in work 
                support activities'' after ``enhancing employment''; 
                and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iii) Duration and amounts.--The income 
                        support provided under clause (i) to a worker 
                        who is participating in work support activities 
                        shall be a weekly income stipend, provided for 
                        up to 78 weeks after the participant has 
                        exhausted all rights to unemployment 
                        compensation under any State or Federal law, to 
                        help cover costs related to work support 
                        activities, such as child care or 
                        transportation. A participant's weekly stipend 
                        shall be equal to--
                                    ``(I) 100 percent of the amount of 
                                the regular unemployment compensation 
                                (including dependents' allowances) 
                                payable to such participant during such 
                                participant's benefit year under the 
                                State law for a week of total 
                                unemployment, if the participant's 
                                household income is less than 130 
                                percent of the poverty line; or
                                    ``(II) 50 percent of the amount 
                                payable described in subclause (I), if 
                                the participant's household income is 
                                not less than 130 percent of the 
                                poverty line.''.
            (3) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) Local plans.--Section 108(b)(19) (29 U.S.C. 
                3123(b)(19)) is amended by striking ``individual 
                training accounts'' and inserting ``stipends''.
                    (B)  Training services agreements.--Section 122(g) 
                (29 U.S.C. 3152(g)) is amended by striking ``individual 
                training accounts'' and inserting ``stipends''.

SEC. 233. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 136 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
U.S.C. 3181) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' after ``2019,''; and
                    (B) by inserting before the period at the end the 
                following: ``, and such sums as may be necessary for 
                each of fiscal years 2021 through 2024''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' after ``2019,''; and
                    (B) by inserting before the period at the end the 
                following: ``, and such sums as may be necessary for 
                each of fiscal years 2021 through 2024''.

               TITLE III--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Labor 
and the Secretary of Education such sums as may be necessary to carry 
out this Act.
                                 <all>
WORKER Act
A bill to advance STEM education, provide for improved worker training, retention, and advancement, and for other purposes.
WORKER Act
Working On Rewarding and Keeping Employees Resilient Act
LEARNS Act
Leveraging Effective Apprenticeships to Rebuild National Skills Act
Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine