Workforce cross-training program

(a) In general The Secretary shall establish and carry out a workforce training program under which the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with at least 2 institutions of higher education (as such term is defined in section 102(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(a))) to train covered individuals to work in the geothermal energy industry. (b) Program requirements In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall carry out the following activities: (1) Offer classroom education, training, and apprenticeship placements to covered individuals with respect to the following areas: (A) Geosciences. (B) Geophysics. (C) Computational sciences and engineering. (D) Geological engineering. (E) Mechanical engineering. (F) Process engineering. (G) Chemical engineering. (H) Petroleum engineering. (I) Drilling engineering. (J) Civil engineering. (K) Electrical engineering. (2) Encourage participation by covered individuals who are members of— (A) a union; or (B) an energy community. (c) Prioritization The Secretary shall prioritize the participation in the program established under subsection (a) of individuals who work in a role described in subsection (d)(1)(C). (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered individual The term covered individual means an individual who— (A) is a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States; (B) is an employee of or works as an independent contractor for a company that is headquartered in the United States; and (C) works, prior to or at the time of their enrollment in the program— (i) in the oil and gas industry, including as— (I) a mechanical engineer; (II) a drilling engineer; (III) a reservoir engineer; (IV) a petroleum engineer; (V) an electrical engineer; (VI) an oil rig worker; or (VII) a geoscientist; or (ii) as a technician, including as— (I) a welder; (II) a machinist; (III) a pipefitter; or (IV) an electrician. (2) Energy community The term energy community has the meaning given the term in section 45(b)(11)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. (3) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Labor. (e) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.