I 
113TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4758 
To direct the Secretary of Labor to create a searchable database containing 
a credentials registry, a skills database, and a jobs bank. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 29, 2014 
Mr. CARNEY introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Education and the Workforce 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of Labor to create a searchable 
database containing a credentials registry, a skills data-
base, and a jobs bank. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Skills Connection Act’’. 
SEC. 2. CREATION OF SEARCHABLE DATABASE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall 
create a publicly available, easily navigable, and searchable 
database containing the following: 
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(1) A registry of credentials (which may be cer-
tificates), for purposes of enabling programs that 
lead to such a credential to receive priority under a 
covered provision. 
(2) A skills database, for purposes of enabling 
programs that lead to such a credential to receive 
priority under a covered provision. 
(3) A jobs bank. 
(b) CREDENTIALS REGISTRY.—In creating a registry 
of credentials, the Secretary shall— 
(1) list the credential in the registry if the cre-
dential is required by Federal or State law for an oc-
cupation (such as a credential required by a State 
law regarding qualifications for a health care occu-
pation); 
(2) list the credential, and list an updated cre-
dential, in the registry if the credential involved is 
an industry-recognized, nationally portable credential 
that is consistent with the Secretary’s established in-
dustry competency models and is consistently up-
dated through third party validation to reflect 
changing industry competencies; and 
(3) for each credential listed in the registry, 
provide an assessment of which skills listed in the 
skills database created under subsection (c) align 
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with or are related to the requirements of the cre-
dential. 
(c) SKILLS DATABASE.—In creating a skills data-
base, the Secretary shall— 
(1) list identifiable skills that are required for 
employment in the manufacturing sector, as deter-
mined by the Secretary— 
(A) by using Manufacturing Institute-En-
dorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification Sys-
tem or similar resource; or 
(B) by consulting with an organization 
similar to the Manufacturing Institute; 
(2) after consultation with the Manufacturing 
Institute or similar organization and representatives 
of the Armed Forces list identifiable skills developed 
through service in the Armed Forces; and 
(3) for each skill listed under paragraphs (1) 
and (2), include information about how that skill 
aligns with or is related to the requirements for the 
credentials listed under the credentials registry cre-
ated under subsection (b). 
(d) JOBS BANK.—In creating a jobs bank, the Sec-
retary shall— 
(1) enable job seekers to— 
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(A) enter basic information through the 
statewide employment statistics system estab-
lished under section 15 of the Wagner-Peyser 
Act (29 U.S.C. 49l–2) for their State of resi-
dence about their skills, experience, credentials, 
and preferred area of employment; and 
(B) browse job listings submitted by em-
ployers to such jobs bank that match the cre-
dentials, experience, or other qualifications en-
tered under subparagraph (A); 
(2) automatically match available jobs with job 
seekers who have matching qualifications; and 
(3) enable information relating to shortages in 
certain skills or credentials available to be utilized by 
State workforce investment board established under 
section 111 of the Workforce Investment Board of 
1998 (29 U.S.C. 49j) and others to inform decisions 
about how to allocate workforce development re-
sources. 
(e) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this Act 
shall be construed— 
(1) to require an entity with responsibility for 
selecting or approving an education, training, or 
workforce investment activities program with regard 
to a covered provision, to select a program with a 
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