National Employment Corps

(a) Establishment There is established within the Department of Labor a National Employment Corps. (b) Job guarantee grants (1) In general If local government or Tribe described in section 10(b) executes a plan under section 10 in good faith, but all workers described in section 10(a) are not successfully transitioned, the Secretary of Labor, acting through the National Employment Corps, shall establish a program (hereinafter referred to as the program) to provide grants to local and Tribal governments to provide direct employment projects for the purpose of guaranteeing a job and job training to any eligible worker not successfully transitioned under such plan. (2) Use of funds The grants under paragraph (1) shall cover wage, benefits, and material expenses of eligible workers. (3) Eligible worker In this section, the term eligible worker means any individual who loses a job or reasonably anticipates losing a job due to a transition from traditional energy sources to sustainable energy sources. (c) Coordination of Federal efforts The Corps shall work with Federal agencies to identify areas of needed investment in the United States economy, including infrastructure, energy efficiency, retrofitting, elder care, child care, job training, education, and health services. (d) Federal component (1) In general If projects funded under the program under subsection (b) are inadequate to maintain full employment in the locality or Tribe, the Secretary shall intervene in the locality or Tribe to provide adequate employment opportunities to guarantee employment to workers described in such subsection. (2) Additional services The Corps shall also offer the following services to eligible workers: (A) Supportive services. (B) Wrap-around services, including: (i) Transportation. (ii) Childcare. (iii) Job preparation services. (iv) Counseling. (C) Adult education and literacy activities. (D) Activities to assist justice-involved individuals. (3) Website and database To assist with an individual’s move from the job guarantee to other employment opportunities under a National Employment Corps, the Secretary shall establish a website and database listing individuals employed under the program as available for, and seeking, employment. Individuals shall be allowed up to one day (8 hours) per employed month to seek alternative employment and for professional development. (e) Coordination of local efforts Any local or Tribal government that receives a grant shall develop employment proposals in coordination with community leaders, labor organizations, and local residents to ensure the proposals will serve the needs of the constituents and available pool of labor. The employment proposals may not be used to employ individuals who will replace or speed the displacement of existing employees or individuals who would otherwise perform similar work. (f) Employment protections (1) Collective bargaining units Participants shall be included in an established bargaining unit and covered by any applicable collective bargaining agreement upon the establishment of such agreement. (2) Wages under the program Wage variation shall be built into the program, as determined by the Secretary of Labor, to account for workers’ previous experience, education, and region of residence, as well as the prospect of promotion within the National Employment Corps. (3) Website To manage projects past, present, and future, the National Employment Corps shall create a website where all projects will be listed. (4) Minimum wage Any individual employed using funds under this section shall be paid wages at a rate that is not less than $15.00 per hour and that are comparable to wages in the region, plus benefits, and indexed for inflation. (g) Apprenticeship defined In this section, the term apprenticeship means an apprenticeship 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.), including any requirement, standard, or rule promulgated under such Act, as such requirement, standard, or rule was in effect on December 30, 2019.