Sec. 90401. Telecommunications workforce training grant program

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This section may be cited as the Improving Minority Participation And Careers in Telecommunications Act or the IMPACT Act The Secretary of Labor (acting in coordination with the Director of the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives established under section 902(b)(1) of division N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 ( Public Law 116–260 ) and the Secretary of Education) shall establish a program (in this section referred to as the Telecommunications Workforce Training Grant Program or the Grant Program ) under which the Secretary shall meet the following requirements:

Not later than 2 years after the date on which amounts are appropriated under subsection (h), the Secretary— may reserve not more than 2 percent of such amounts to administer the Grant Program; and after determining the percentage of such amounts to reserve under subparagraph (A), shall use the remainder of such amounts to award grants (in this section referred to as covered grants ) to eligible entities to develop and implement telecommunications training programs (which may include training programs providing training and education relating to the construction of telecommunications infrastructure).

In awarding covered grants from the amounts described in paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall use not less than— 30 percent of such amounts to award covered grants to historically Black colleges or universities; and 30 percent of such amounts to award covered grants to Tribal Colleges or Universities. The Secretary shall ensure that grant amounts awarded under paragraph (1)(B) are coordinated with, and do not duplicate the specific use of, grant amounts provided under section 902 of division N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 ( Public Law 116–260 ).

After awarding covered grants under paragraph (1), the authority of the Secretary to award covered grants shall expire. The Secretary shall establish the grant period of a covered grant, which may not be less than 5 years. In awarding covered grants to eligible entities that plan to use the grants for developing and implementing training programs providing training and education relating to construction, the Secretary shall prioritize such eligible entities that— partner with— a labor or labor-management organization with experience— working in the telecommunications industry; or in registered apprenticeship programs or pre-apprenticeship programs; or a community college that has a written agreement with 1 or more registered apprenticeship programs; and ensure the such programs lead to employment with wages at rates not less than the rates prevailing on projects of a similar character in the locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code.

An eligible entity desiring a covered grant shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. An eligible entity shall include in an application under paragraph

(1)the following: A description of how the eligible entity plans to use the covered grant, including the type of telecommunications training program the eligible entity plans to develop and implement. A commitment from the telecommunications industry partner of the eligible entity to collaborate with the eligible entity to develop and implement a telecommunications training program, including the curricula for such program, and the internships, registered apprenticeships, or pre-apprenticeships aligned to such program. A plan for recruitment of students to participate in the telecommunications training program, including students in rural areas. A plan to ensure that female student participation (or participation among other populations who are underrepresented within the telecommunications industry) in the telecommunications training program of the eligible entity is at a higher rate than the employment rate of women (or other such populations) within the telecommunications industry. A description of in-demand occupations within the telecommunications industry to be secured through the telecommunications training program, including— jobs in the communities served by the eligible entity; and expected wage and benefit levels of such jobs. A description of how the eligible entity plans to integrate the expertise of labor or labor-management organizations with experience working in the telecommunications industry into the development and implementation of the telecommunications training program. An eligible entity may use a covered grant, with respect to the telecommunications training program of the eligible entity developed and implemented with such covered grant, to— hire faculty members to teach courses in the training program; train faculty members to prepare students for employment in jobs related to the deployment of next-generation wired and wireless communications networks, including 5G networks, hybrid fiber-coaxial networks, and fiber infrastructure, particularly in— broadband and wireless network engineering; network deployment, operation, and maintenance; telecommunications industry field activities; and cloud networks, data centers, and cybersecurity; design and develop, or customize existing, curricula, courses, or programs of study, in coordination with telecommunications industry partners, that reflect the skills and competencies needed in the telecommunications industry, and that lead to recognized postsecondary credentials; pay for costs associated with instruction under the telecommunications training program, including the costs of equipment, telecommunications training towers, laboratory space, classroom space, and telecommunications industry field activities; fund scholarships, student internships, registered apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeship opportunities aligned to the telecommunications training program; recruit students for the telecommunications training program, including students in rural areas, if applicable; support the enrollment in the telecommunications training program of individuals working in the telecommunications industry in order to advance professionally within the industry; support the development of career pathways in the telecommunications industry; and provide supportive services (such as transportation, child care, dependent care, housing, and needs-related payments) necessary for participants to complete the training program. During the grant period of a covered grant received by an eligible entity, the eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary a semiannual report that, with respect to the preceding 6-month period— describes how the eligible entity used the covered grant amounts; describes the progress the eligible entity made in developing and implementing the telecommunications training program of the eligible entity; describes the number of faculty and students participating in the telecommunications training program of the eligible entity; describes the partnership with the telecommunications industry partner of the eligible entity, including— the commitments and in-kind contributions made by the telecommunications industry partner; and the role of the telecommunications industry partner in— curriculum development; ensuring that the program leads to or is aligned with a degree program or recognized postsecondary credential; and the internships, registered apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeships offered under the program; and includes data on internship, registered apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeships, and employment opportunities and placements and completions. Each year, until all covered grants have expired, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that, with respect to the preceding year— identifies each eligible entity that received a covered grant and the amount of the covered grant; describes the progress each such eligible entity has made in developing and implementing a telecommunications training program; summarizes the job placement status, or registered apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship opportunities of students who have participated in the training program of the eligible entity; and includes the findings of any audits conducted by the Inspector General of the Department of Labor under subsection (f). The Inspector General of the Department of Labor shall audit the Grant Program in order to— ensure that eligible entities use covered grant amounts in accordance with the requirements of this section; and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in the operation of the Grant Program. In this section: The term community college means— a degree-granting public institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 )) at which— the highest degree awarded is an associate degree; or an associate degree is the most frequently awarded degree; a 2-year Tribal College or University; a degree-granting Tribal College or University at which— the highest degree awarded is an associate degree; or an associate degree is the most frequently awarded degree; a branch campus of a 4-year public institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 )), if, at such branch campus— the highest degree awarded is an associate degree; or an associate degree is the most frequently awarded degree; or a community college, a postsecondary vocational institution (as defined in section 102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1002(c) ). The term eligible entity means a historically Black college or university, Tribal College or University, or minority-serving institution, or a consortium of such entities, that forms a partnership with 1 or more telecommunications industry partners to carry out a telecommunications training program. The term telecommunications industry partner means 1 or more of the following: A member of the telecommunications industry, such as a company or industry association. A labor or labor-management organization with experience working in the telecommunications industry or a similar industry. A registered apprenticeship program. A nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals gain employment in the telecommunications industry. A community college with experience in providing workforce development activities for individuals seeking employment in the telecommunications industry or a similar industry. A Federal agency laboratory specializing in telecommunications technology. A State board or local board. An industry or sector partnership relating to the telecommunications industry. The term historically Black college or university has the meaning given the term part B institution in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1061 ). The term in-demand occupation has the meaning given the term in section 3(23)(A)(ii) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3102(23)(A)(ii) ). The term minority-serving institution means an institution described in section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1067q(a) ). The term pre-apprenticeship means a program that articulates to a registered apprenticeship program. The term registered apprenticeship means an apprenticeship registered with the Office of Apprenticeship of the Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor or a State apprenticeship agency recognized by the Office of the Apprenticeship pursuant to 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 Secretary means the Secretary of Labor. The term telecommunications industry field activities means activities at active cable, broadband, or other telecommunications network worksites, such as towers, construction sites, and network management hubs. The term telecommunications training program means a program developed by an eligible entity (that— is designed to prepare students to participate in the telecommunications workforce; includes a curriculum that reflects the skills and competencies for in-demand occupations within the telecommunications industry; and includes registered apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, or internship opportunities aligned to a degree program or resulting in a recognized postsecondary credential. The term Tribal College or University has the meaning given the term in section 316(b)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)(3) ). The terms career pathway , industry or sector partnership , local board , recognized postsecondary credential , State board , and workforce development activities have the meanings given in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. There are authorized to be appropriated $100,000,000 for fiscal years 2023 through 2028, to remain available until expended.

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