TechHire Workforce Training and Development Program

(a) In general Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, based on findings from the needs assessment conducted under section 101(a)(3), the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary, shall establish a pilot program, to be known as the TechHire Workforce Training and Development Pilot Program, under which the Secretary of Labor, during the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, shall provide to eligible entities, on a competitive basis, grants for technology-based job training and education programs that provide an industry-recognized certificate or certification. (b) Requirements A job training and education program that is carried out with a grant under this section shall— (1) provide technology-based training across 2 or more sectors; (2) focus on equitable smart city or community technologies, systems, and infrastructure which may span across all sectors of the economy; (3) address privacy and cybersecurity considerations; and (4) address smart city or community workforce needs identified by the Secretary of Labor, after consultation with other applicable Federal agencies. (c) Eligible entities To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an entity shall be a public organization or an organization described in section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of that Code that— (1) includes an advisory board, which may be— (A) (i) a local workforce development board; (ii) a State workforce development board; or (iii) an appropriate subgroup of a local workforce development board or a State workforce development board; or (B) a board of proportional participation, as determined by the Secretary of Labor, of relevant organizations, including— (i) relevant industry organizations, including public and private employers; (ii) labor organizations; (iii) one or more units of local government that are actively pursuing smart city or community programs; or (iv) postsecondary education organizations; (2) demonstrates experience in implementing and operating job training and education programs; (3) demonstrates the ability to recruit and support individuals who plan to work in a relevant sector on the successful completion of relevant job training and education programs; (4) (A) provides students who complete the training and education program with an industry-recognized certificate or certification; or (B) uses a curriculum that has received extensive feedback from employers; (5) demonstrates the quality of the proposed program of job training and education, including the training services that lead to an industry-recognized certificate or certification; and (6) demonstrates successful outcomes connecting graduates of job training and education programs to quality jobs relevant to the job training and education programs. (d) Applications An eligible entity seeking a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary of Labor an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary of Labor may require. (e) Priority In selecting eligible entities to receive grants under this section, the Secretary of Labor shall prioritize applicants that— (1) (A) are a local workforce development board or State workforce development board; or (B) demonstrate a strong partnership with a local workforce development board or State workforce development board; (2) house the job training and education program in— (A) an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), including a community college, that includes basic science, technology, and mathematics education in the curriculum of the institution of higher education; or (B) an apprenticeship program registered with the Department of Labor or a State; (3) work with the Secretary of Defense or veterans organizations to transition members of the Armed Forces and veterans to careers in a relevant sector; (4) include in the application an entity that receives State funding or is operated by a State agency; (5) include an apprenticeship program registered with the Department of Labor or a State as part of the job training and education program; (6) provide support services and career coaching; (7) provide entry-level technology workforce training aimed at matching workers with well-paying jobs; or (8) propose to serve— (A) young adults between the ages of 16 and 24; or (B) individuals with barriers to employment (as defined in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102)). (f) Additional consideration In making grants under this section, the Secretary of Labor shall consider equity and regional diversity. (g) Limitation on applications An eligible entity may not submit, either individually or as part of a joint application, more than 1 application for a grant under this section during any 1 fiscal year. (h) Limitations on amount of grant The amount of a single grant provided under this section for any 1 year shall not exceed $5,000,000. (i) Non-Federal share The non-Federal share of the cost of a job training and education program carried out using a grant under this section shall be not less than 25 percent of the total cost. (j) Reduction of duplication Before submitting an application for a grant under this section, each applicant shall— (1) consult with the heads of appropriate Federal agencies; and (2) coordinate the proposed activities of the applicant with existing State and local programs. (k) Technical assistance The Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary, may provide technical assistance to eligible entities under subsection (c) to leverage the existing job training and education programs of the Department of Labor and other relevant programs at appropriate Federal agencies. (l) Report Not less frequently than once every 2 years, the Secretary of Labor shall submit to Congress, and make publicly available on the website of the Department of Labor, a report on the program established under this section, including a description of— (1) any entity that receives a grant under this section; (2) activities carried out using the grants under this section; (3) best practices used to leverage the investment of the Federal Government under this section; and (4) an assessment of the results achieved by the program established under this section, including the equitable distribution of benefits and the rate of employment for participants after completing a job training and education program carried out using a grant under this section. (m) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.