Bill > S1269

This bill, titled the Community College to Career Fund Act, amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to establish a new fund and program aimed at strengthening partnerships between community colleges and industries to improve educational and career training for workers. The core of the bill authorizes the Secretaries of Labor and Education to award competitive grants to eligible entities, which primarily include community colleges, four-year public institutions offering two-year degrees, Tribal Colleges or Universities, and certain private or nonprofit two-year institutions, when they partner with employers or industry partnerships. These grants can be used to develop, offer, or improve training programs that lead to recognized postsecondary credentials, such as industry-recognized certificates, apprenticeships, or associate degrees, with a focus on meeting the needs of both workers and employers in high-demand sectors. The bill also introduces provisions for "pay-for-performance" and "pay-for-success" job training projects, grants to encourage businesses to relocate or remain in the U.S. by providing skilled workers, and grants for entrepreneur and small business startup training. A significant appropriation of $8 billion is authorized to fund these initiatives, with specific allocations for each program, and the Secretaries are tasked with developing an interagency agreement to oversee the program's administration and reporting.