Sec. 5. 21st century transportation workforce

1,475 words·~7 min read·/bill/116/s/3175/is/section-5

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

In this section: The term apprenticeship readiness program means a curriculum or program designed to prepare young people and transitioning adults to enter and succeed in a registered apprenticeship program. The term Center of Excellence means a consortium of public institutions of higher education designated as a Center of Excellence in Advanced Transportation Workforce Training under subsection (e)(1). The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 ).

The term intelligent transportation technology means an operational system of various technologies that, when combined and managed, improve the operating capabilities of the overall transportation system. The term registered apprenticeship program means a 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.). The term Secretaries means— the Secretary; and the Secretaries of Education, Energy, and Labor.

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries, in coordination with the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office of the Department of Transportation, shall conduct a national and international scanning tour of surface transportation agencies, including State and local departments of transportation, public transit agencies, rail agencies, and other similar entities, to identify critical future investments in workforce development, particularly investments related to enhancing technology skills of the personnel that operate and maintain surface transportation systems, infrastructure, and vehicles.

For each Center of Excellence and each eligible entity that receives a grant under subsection (f), using existing information and information learned during the scanning tour under subsection (b), the Secretaries shall identify— any potential collaborative initiatives that the Center of Excellence or eligible entity, as applicable, may carry out jointly with an applicable Regional Surface Transportation Workforce Development Center of the Federal Highway Administration; and any cooperative opportunities to enhance curriculum development, training resources, and registered apprenticeship programs for existing and new surface transportation personnel.

The Secretaries shall jointly host a National Summit on Transportation Workforce Development— to engage public and private stakeholders; and to develop training initiatives based on previous findings by the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office of the Department of Transportation and the scanning tour under subsection (b). Not later than 240 days after the date on which the scanning tour under subsection

(b)is completed, the Secretaries shall designate not less than 10 consortia of public institutions of higher education as a Center of Excellence in Advanced Transportation Workforce Training . Each Center of Excellence shall seek to expand the capacity of that Center of Excellence to train students for career opportunities in industry and government service related to the use of intelligent transportation technologies and systems, including by— admitting more students; training faculty; expanding facilities; creating programs that provide students with pathways to achieve vendor-neutral industry-recognized credentials; establishing new career pathways from secondary school to associate degree and baccalaureate degree programs; awarding credit for prior learning experience, including military service; providing the essential aspects of a pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship readiness program; and providing information and guidance to assist students in furthering the workforce development of those students through existing registered apprenticeship programs. Each Center of Excellence shall address education and training requirements associated with various types of intelligent transportation technologies, components, infrastructure, and equipment, including with respect to— installation; maintenance; manufacturing; operations, including data analysis and review; cybersecurity; the use of intelligent transportation technologies and systems in— various industry applications; and programs and services of the Federal Government and State and local governments; Federal policies relating to intelligent transportation technologies and systems; dual credit programs that deliver training opportunities to secondary school students regarding intelligent transportation technologies and systems; and any training regarding— intelligent transportation sensors or other technology; and the processing, analyzing, and visualizing of data collected by intelligent transportation technologies and systems. In designating a Center of Excellence under this subsection, the Secretaries shall give priority consideration to a consortium of public institutions of higher education that— develops partnerships with existing registered apprenticeship programs; demonstrates high safety, job placement, and quality standards in accordance with part 29 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); and serve underrepresented populations. The Secretary, in consultation and coordination with the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Energy, and the Secretary of Labor, shall carry out a program to award grants to eligible entities for eligible projects that support— the education and recruitment of technical workers for the intelligent transportation technologies and systems industry; and the development of a workforce skilled in various types of intelligent transportation technologies, components, infrastructure, and equipment. The Secretary may award a grant under this subsection to— a unit of local government; a Tribal government; a transit agency or authority; a public toll authority; a metropolitan planning organization; any other subdivision of a State or local government; an institution of higher education, including a university transportation center under section 5505 of title 49, United States Code; an entity operating a registered apprenticeship program; a multijurisdictional group; a regional transportation partnership; or a consortium of any of the entities described in clauses

(i)through (x). To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, an eligible entity described in subparagraph

(A)shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the committee established under paragraph

(5)may require. The Secretary may award a grant under this subsection for a project— to establish new educational programs that teach the technical skills used in intelligent transportation technologies and systems; to establish scholarships, apprenticeship readiness programs, or registered apprenticeship programs for individuals pursuing employment in the intelligent transportation technology and systems industry; to support or expand participation in apprenticeship readiness programs or registered apprenticeship programs for individuals pursuing employment in the intelligent transportation technology and systems industry; to support outreach about careers in the intelligent transportation technologies and systems industry to— primary, secondary, and post-secondary school students; or communities that are underrepresented in those industries; to support educational opportunities related to intelligent transportation technologies and systems in economically disadvantaged geographic areas; to support transition to careers in intelligent transportation technologies and systems; or that, as determined by a unanimous vote of the committee established under paragraph (5), otherwise enhances— technical education in intelligent transportation technologies and systems; or the workforce of intelligent transportation technologies and systems industries. In awarding grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority consideration to an eligible entity that— is part of a consortium designated as a Center of Excellence; incorporates existing registered apprenticeship programs; demonstrates high safety, job placement, and quality standards in accordance with part 29 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); and serves underrepresented populations. The Secretary, in consultation and coordination with the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Energy, and the Secretary of Labor, shall establish a committee to review applications for, and select recipients of, grants under this subsection. The committee established under subparagraph

(A)shall be composed of individuals who were involved in the consideration, selection, and designation of the Centers of Excellence. The committee established under subparagraph

(A)shall use the expertise of the advisory committee established under section 5305(h) of SAFETEA–LU ( 23 U.S.C. 512 note; Public Law 109–59 ), as applicable. Each grant awarded under this subsection shall be in an amount that is not more than $1,000,000. There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretaries to award grants under this subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025. The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study that identifies issues relating to workforce development in intelligent and zero-emissions transportation technology, including— any shortages of skilled employees in those fields; issues relating to the transition of workers from traditional vehicle manufacturing, operation, and maintenance to the intelligent and zero-emissions transportation workforce; issues relating to the transition of workers from traditional surface transportation installation, construction, manufacturing, operation, and maintenance to incorporation into the intelligent transportation workforce; and examples of successful models of workforce development in those fields. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report on the results of the study under paragraph

(1)to— the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate; the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives; and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

Connectionstraces to 4

Traces to 4 documents

U.S. Code

public-private-law