Alignment of job corps with the defense industrial base

(a) In general The National Imperative for Industrial Skills program of the Department of Defense (or a successor program) shall maximize the use of and expand on the activities of Job Corps centers and registered apprenticeship programs to train the skilled industrial workers that are needed in the defense industrial base. (b) Referral of military recruits to job corps Military recruiters shall make each military recruit who is ineligible to enlist in the military as a result of the requirements of section 520 of title 10, United States Code, aware of the opportunity to enroll in Job Corps and registered apprenticeship programs in order to meet the standards for enlistment or learn skills that can contribute to the defense industrial base. (c) Job corps trade realignment In order to address shortages of skilled industrial workers in the defense industrial base, the Secretary of Defense may, through the National Imperative for Industrial Skills program (or a successor program) and grants to Job Corps center operators as provided in accordance with section 158(f) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3208(f)), support the change of trades offered at a Job Corps center, including at a Job Corps transition hub at an existing center or at a new site in close proximity to a shipyard or other defense industrial base suppliers, to align with the needs of the defense industrial base, including through investments in curricula development, equipment, and facilities. (d) Definitions For purposes of this section: (1) Enrollee; job corps; job corps center The terms enrollee, Job Corps, and Job Corps center have the meanings given such terms in section 142 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3192). (2) Job corps center operator The term Job Corps center operator has the meaning given the term operator in such section of such Act. (3) Job corps transition hub The term Job Corps transition hub means an advanced career training program under section 148 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3198) that facilitates the onboarding and retention of enrollees into the defense industrial base. (4) Registered apprenticeship program The term registered apprenticeship program means an apprenticeship program that is 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.).