Bill

Bill > HR1325


US HR1325

US HR1325
AMERICA Works Act


summary

Introduced
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

112th Congress

Bill Summary

American Manufacturing Efficiency and Retraining Investment Collaboration Achievement Works Act or AMERICA Works Act - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, with respect to statewide and local adult and youth workforce investment employment and training programs, to require a one-stop delivery system, in selecting and approving training services, or programs of training services, to give priority consideration to state- and local board-approved services and programs that lead to an industry-recognized and nationally portable credential that is in high demand in the local area served and listed in the skill credential registry created under this Act. Amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 and the Trade Act of 1974 to require the same priority consideration in the state and local plans for career and technical education programs as well as in tech prep programs and trade adjustment assistance (TAA) programs. Requires that funds allocated for local area youth activities be used, in part, for training programs, giving priority consideration to those that lead to a registry-listed credential in high demand in the local area served. Requires the Secretary of Labor to: (1) create a registry of skill credentials; and (2) list in the registry credentials that are required by federal or state law for an occupation, are from the Manufacturing Institute-Endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System, and are industry-recognized and nationally portable credentials consistent with established industry competency models as well as consistently updated through third party validation to reflect changing industry competencies.

AI Summary

This bill, the AMERICA Works Act, amends existing federal laws related to job training and career education to prioritize programs that lead to industry-recognized and nationally portable credentials, meaning they are valued by employers across different companies and states. Specifically, it requires that when selecting and approving training services under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, which governs statewide and local employment and training programs, priority be given to programs that result in such credentials and are listed in a new skill credential registry. This same priority consideration will apply to state and local plans for career and technical education programs, including those under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, and to Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) programs under the Trade Act of 1974, which help workers who have lost jobs due to foreign trade. Funds for youth training programs will also be directed, in part, towards programs leading to these high-demand, registry-listed credentials. The Secretary of Labor is tasked with creating this registry, which will include credentials required by law, those endorsed by the Manufacturing Institute, and other industry-recognized, nationally portable credentials that are updated to reflect current industry needs.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry, Education

Sponsors (34)

Last Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training. (on 04/15/2011)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...