Earning Experience Act of 2022
Bill: H.R.8363 | Sponsor: Rep. Kilmer, Derek (D-WA)
Policy area: Education

Summary:
Earning Experience Act of 2022
This bill requires the Department of Education to establish a pilot program that awards grants to institutions of higher education for establishing or expanding programs to provide students with work-based learning opportunities.

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a work-based 
              learning opportunities pilot grant program.

    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 ``Earning Experience Act of 2022''.

SEC. 2. PILOT GRANT PROGRAM.

    Part C of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 
1087-51 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 449. WORK-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES PILOT GRANT PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Establishment.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a program 
        to provide grants to eligible institutions participating under 
        this part to establish or expand a program to develop work-
        based learning positions.
            ``(2) Limitations.--
                    ``(A) Duration.--A grant awarded under this section 
                shall be for a period of not more than 4 years, but may 
                be renewed by the Secretary for a period of 2 years.
                    ``(B) Amount.--A grant under this section may not 
                be in an amount greater than $1,000,000.
    ``(b) Application.--To be selected to receive a grant under this 
section an eligible institution participating under this part shall 
submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, 
and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including 
a plan that describes how the eligible institution will establish or 
expand a program to develop work-based learning positions that will--
            ``(1) benefit students with exceptional need (as defined in 
        section 413C(c)(2));
            ``(2) identify in-demand industry sectors or occupations 
        (as determined by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, State 
        departments of labor, and local workforce development boards) 
        and develop partnerships with employers (including nonprofit 
        organizations, for-profit firms, or public agencies) in such 
        sectors or occupations;
            ``(3) involve participating employers in evaluating and 
        improving such program;
            ``(4) track and report academic and employment outcomes for 
        participating students; and
            ``(5) be able to continue after the end of the grant term.
    ``(c) Use of Funds.--Grant funds awarded under this program shall 
be used to pay wages for students participating under this program and 
develop work-based learning positions that--
            ``(1) are for a period of at least 12 weeks;
            ``(2) serve students with exceptional need (as defined in 
        section 413C(c)(2));
            ``(3) limit administrative work to no more than 25 percent 
        of such position;
            ``(4) provide a minimum of 15 hours of work per week during 
        periods of enrollment and 30 hours per week during periods of 
        nonenrollment, except such requirement may be waived by the 
        institution in consultation with a student;
            ``(5) include career coaching from participating employers 
        (including mock interviews, resume writing assistance, and 
        counseling on applying for and attaining employment); and
            ``(6) provide participating students with opportunities to 
        meet with employers in fields or industries related to those of 
        participating employers.
    ``(d) Report.--On a date that is before the date on which the 
period of the grant received by an eligible institution under this 
section terminates, such institution shall submit a report to the 
Secretary including--
            ``(1) the graduation rate or completion rate (as described 
        under section 485(a)(3)) with respect to students participating 
        in work-based learning positions under the pilot program; and
            ``(2) the results of the work-based learning opportunities 
        program for which such institution received such grant, 
        including--
                    ``(A) participating students' satisfaction with the 
                program;
                    ``(B) the types of jobs in which participating 
                students were employed and the types of duties 
                performed in such jobs;
                    ``(C) the academic programs of the participating 
                students;
                    ``(D) the share of participating students who 
                worked at another job, in addition to the one under the 
                pilot program;
                    ``(E) the percentage of participating students who, 
                during the second quarter after completing their 
                academic program, are in education or training 
                activities or unsubsidized employment;
                    ``(F) the percentage of participating students 
                employed in the in-demand industry sectors or 
                occupations identified under subsection (b)(2) within 2 
                quarters of completing their academic programs; and
                    ``(G) other items as determined by the Secretary.
    ``(e) Reservation of Funding for Such Program.--From amounts 
appropriated to carry out section 441(b) for a fiscal year and 
remaining after the Secretary allocates funds in accordance with 
section 442 for such year, the Secretary shall reserve $30,000,000 to 
carry out grants under this section.''.
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