Wind Workforce Modernization and Training Act of 2020

To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to establish a grant program for training wind technicians, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Wind Workforce Modernization and Training Act of 2020 2. Wind technician training grant program (a) In general Title XI of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16411 1107. Wind technician training grant program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered participant The term covered participant (2) Eligible entity The term eligible entity (A) is on the list of eligible providers of training services described in section 122(d) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3152(d) (B) offers a training program for technicians in the wind energy industry. (3) Final participation date The term final participation date (b) Grant program The Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to purchase large pieces of wind turbine component equipment (such as nacelles, towers, and blades) for use in training wind technician students. (c) Reporting Not later than 1 year after the final participation date, an eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary, with respect to the covered participants, a report containing a description of the levels of performance achieved with respect to each of the primary indicators of performance described in subclauses (I) through (VI) of section 116(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3141(b)(2)(A)(i) (d) Funding Of the amounts made available to the Secretary for administrative expenses to carry out other programs under the authority of the Secretary, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2025. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents for the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( Public Law 109–58 Sec. 1107. Wind technician training grant program. . 3. Veterans in wind energy (a) In general Title XI of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16411 1108. Veterans in wind energy (a) In general The Secretary, in consultation with the eligible entities defined in section 1107(a)(2), including joint labor-management organizations and postsecondary vocational institutions, shall design, establish, and administer a program to prepare veterans for careers in the wind energy industry by providing classroom instruction and work-based learning. (b) Funding Of the amounts made available to the Secretary for administrative expenses to carry out other programs under the authority of the Secretary, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2025. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents for the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( Public Law 109–58 Sec. 1108. Veterans in wind energy. . 4. Study and report on wind technician workforce (a) In general The Secretary of Energy (referred to in this section as the Secretary (1) conduct a study to assess the training needs of technicians working in the wind energy industry; (2) create a comprehensive list that— (A) lists each type of wind energy industry technician position available in the United States; and (B) describes the skill sets required for each type of position listed under subparagraph (A); and (3) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, make publicly available and submit to Congress a report that— (A) describes the results of that study; (B) includes the comprehensive list described in paragraph (2); and (C) provides recommendations— (i) for creating a credentialing program for wind energy industry technicians that may be administered by eligible entities (as defined in section 1107(a)(2) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, as added by section 2(a) of this Act); and (ii) that reflect best practices for training programs for technicians in the wind energy industry, as identified by representatives of the wind energy industry. (b) Stakeholders described The stakeholders referred to in subsection (a) are— (1) the Department of Defense; (2) the Department of Education; (3) the Department of Energy; (4) the Department of Labor; (5) the Department of Veterans Affairs; (6) eligible entities (as defined in section 1107(a)(2) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, as added by section 2(a) of this Act), including joint-labor management organizations and postsecondary vocational institutions; and (7) the wind energy industry. (c) Funding Of the amounts made available to the Secretary for administrative expenses to carry out other programs under the authority of the Secretary, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section $500,000.

Summary: Wind Workforce Modernization and Training Act of 2020 This bill establishes programs within the Department of Energy to provide support and incentives for training wind technician students.