Transportation Workforce Centers of Excellence Act

To direct the Secretary of Transportation to designate certain consortia as Community and Technical College Centers of Excellence in Transportation Workforce Training, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Transportation Workforce Centers of Excellence Act 2. Centers of excellence in transportation workforce training (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Labor, shall designate in accordance with subsection (b) certain consortia of 2-year institutions of higher education as Community and Technical College Centers of Excellence in Transportation Workforce Training (in this section referred to as Centers of Excellence (b) Criteria for designation The Secretary of Transportation shall designate as a Center of Excellence under subsection (a) a consortium the Secretary determines has a demonstrated ability to— (1) address education and training related to careers in transportation sectors; and (2) carry out the following activities: (A) Developing and implementing career pathways and programs of study that lead to recognized postsecondary credentials in transportation sectors. (B) Providing on-the-job training or work-based learning opportunities in transportation sectors. (C) Developing dual or concurrent enrollment programs to provide education and training opportunities to secondary school students. (D) Providing education and training related to emerging technologies in transportation sectors. (E) Partnering with employers, labor organizations, local workforce development boards, State workforce development boards, State educational agencies, and eligible agencies to address education and training related to careers in transportation sectors. (F) Providing outreach and career counseling to increase participation in transportation sectors. (c) Collaboration To address education and training related to careers in transportation sectors, Centers of Excellence may seek to collaborate with institutions receiving grants under section 5505 of title 49, United States Code. (d) Grants to centers of excellence (1) In general The Secretary shall establish a program (in this subsection referred to as the Program (2) Eligible projects Grant funds awarded under the Program may only be used for a project that facilitates an activity specified in subsection (b). (3) Applications To be eligible for a grant under the Program, a Center of Excellence designated under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary determines appropriate. (4) Limitations on grants (A) Limitation on amount The amount of a grant under the Program may not exceed $2,000,000. (B) Limitation on Federal share The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out by a grant under the Program may not exceed 50 percent. (5) Report Each recipient of a grant under the Program shall submit to the Secretary a report in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary determines appropriate to evaluate the grant, including the following: (A) Information relating to the use of grant funds awarded to the recipient under the Program. (B) An evaluation of each project carried out with such grant funds, including the following: (i) The percentage, and median earnings, of individuals participating in or benefitting from the project (in this section referred to as participants (ii) The percentage of participants who are in unsubsidized employment 180 days after exit from the project. (iii) The percentage of participants who obtain a recognized postsecondary credential, or a secondary school diploma or recognized equivalent, during the project or within 1 year after exit from the project. (iv) The percentage of participants who, during the project— (I) enrolled in an education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential or employment; or (II) developed skills necessary to receive such credential or employment. (6) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Career pathway The term career pathway 29 U.S.C. 3102 (2) Dual or concurrent enrollment program The term dual or concurrent enrollment program 20 U.S.C. 7801 (3) Eligible agency The term eligible agency 20 U.S.C. 2302 (4) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education 20 U.S.C. 1001 (5) Local workforce development board The term local workforce development board 29 U.S.C. 3122 (6) On-the-job training The term on-the-job training 29 U.S.C. 3102 (7) Program of study The term program of study Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 20 U.S.C. 2302 (8) Recognized postsecondary credential The term recognized postsecondary credential 29 U.S.C. 3102 (9) State educational agency The term State educational agency 20 U.S.C. 7801 (10) State workforce development board The term State workforce development board 29 U.S.C. 3111 (11) Transportation sector The term transportation sector (12) Work-based learning The term work-based learning Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 20 U.S.C. 2302

Summary: Transportation Workforce Centers of Excellence Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to designate certain two-year institutions of higher education as Community and Technical College Centers of Excellence in Transportation Workforce Training. Additionally, DOT must establish a program to award competitive grants to the centers to address education and training related to careers in transportation sectors. Grants under the program may not exceed $2 million, and the federal share of project costs may not exceed 50%.