Onward to Opportunity Act
Bill: H.R.4769 | Sponsor: Rep. Katko, John (R-NY)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
Onward to Opportunity Act
This bill requires the Department of Defense to implement a pilot grant program at five military installations to provide enhanced support and funding to eligible entities to supplement the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) in providing job opportunities for industry-recognized certifications, job placement assistance, and related employment services to service members participating in TAP and their spouses.

To direct the Secretary of Defense to carry out a pilot program to 
   supplement the transition assistance program of the Department of 
                                Defense.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Onward to Opportunity Act''.

SEC. 2. PILOT GRANT PROGRAM TO SUPPLEMENT THE TRANSITION ASSISTANCE 
              PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall carry out a pilot grant 
program under which the Secretary of Defense provides enhanced support 
and funding to eligible entities to supplement TAP to provide job 
opportunities for industry recognized certifications, job placement 
assistance, and related employment services directly to covered 
individuals.
    (b) Services.--Under the pilot grant program, the Secretary of 
Defense shall provide grants to eligible entities to provide to covered 
individuals the following services:
            (1) Using an industry-validated screening tool, assessments 
        of prior education, work history, and employment aspirations of 
        covered individuals, to tailor appropriate and employment 
        services.
            (2) Preparation for civilian employment through services 
        like mock interviews and salary negotiations, training on 
        professional networking platforms, and company research.
            (3) Several industry-specific learning pathways--
                    (A) with entry-level, mid-level and senior 
                versions;
                    (B) in fields such as project management, 
                cybersecurity, and information technology;
                    (C) in which each covered individual works with an 
                academic advisor to choose a career pathway and 
                navigate coursework during the training process; and
                    (D) in which each covered individual can earn 
                industry-recognized credentials and certifications, at 
                no charge to the covered individual.
            (4) Job placement services.
    (c) Program Organization and Implementation Model.--The pilot grant 
program shall follow existing economic opportunity program models that 
combine industry-recognized certification training, furnished by 
professionals, with online learning staff.
    (d) Consultation.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary of 
Defense shall seek to consult with private entities to assess the best 
economic opportunity program models, including existing economic 
opportunity models furnished through public-private partnerships.
    (e) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under the pilot 
grant program, an entity shall--
            (1) follow a job training and placement model;
            (2) have rigorous program evaluation practices;
            (3) have established partnerships with entities (such as 
        employers, governmental agencies, and non-profit entities) to 
        provide services described in subsection (b);
            (4) have online training capability to reach rural 
        veterans, reduce costs, and comply with new conditions forced 
        by COVID-19; and
            (5) have a well-developed practice of program measurement 
        and evaluation that evinces program performance and efficiency, 
        with data that is high quality and shareable with partner 
        entities.
    (f) Coordination With Federal Entities.--A grantee shall coordinate 
with Federal entities, including--
            (1) the Office of Transition and Economic Development of 
        the Department of Veterans Affairs; and
            (2) the Office of Veteran Employment and Transition 
        Services of the Department of Labor.
    (g) Metrics and Evaluation.--Performance outcomes shall be 
verifiable using a third-party auditing method and include the 
following:
            (1) The number of covered individuals who receive and 
        complete skills training.
            (2) The number of covered individuals who secure 
        employment.
            (3) The retention rate for covered individuals described in 
        paragraph (2).
            (4) Median salary of covered individuals described in 
        paragraph (2).
    (h) Site Locations.--The Secretary of Defense shall select five 
military installations in the United States where existing models are 
successful.
    (i) Assessment of Possible Expansion.--A grantee shall assess the 
feasibility of expanding the current offering of virtual training and 
career placement services to members of the reserve components of the 
Armed Forces and covered individuals outside the United States.
    (j) Duration.--The pilot grant program shall terminate on September 
30, 2025.
    (k) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the termination of the 
pilot grant program, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the 
congressional defense committees a report that includes--
            (1) a description of the pilot grant program, including a 
        description of specific activities carried out under this 
        section; and
            (2) the metrics and evaluations used to assess the 
        effectiveness of the pilot grant program.
    (l) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``covered individual'' means--
                    (A) a member of the Armed Forces participating in 
                TAP; or
                    (B) a spouse of a member described in subparagraph 
                (A).
            (2) The term ``military installation'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 2801 of title 10, United States 
        Code.
            (3) The term ``TAP'' means the transition assistance 
        program of the Department of Defense under sections 1142 and 
        1144 of title 10, United States Code.
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