Workforce PATHWAYS Act
Bill: S.1442 | Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine (D-NV)
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
Workforce Promotion to Access Training to Help Workers, Adults, and Youths Succeed Act or the Workforce PATHWAYS Act
This bill establishes the nonprofit Corporation for Career Pathways to increase awareness of career pathways for U.S. workers, educators, and employers by promoting workforce development initiatives, educational programs, and other opportunities that develop skills relevant to high-demand industries.
The corporation must (1) develop and submit to the Department of Labor an annual workforce strategy for engaging all labor market stakeholders about opportunities or changes to useful degrees, registered apprenticeship programs, and certifications or skill sets; and (2) publish an annual United States Career Forecast and Resource Guide that provides job market and other information regarding in-demand industries, workforce needs, and training.
The corporation must also establish (1) an awards program to annually recognize workers and students who achieve excellence in registered apprenticeships, adult education programs, career and technical education programs, or other nontraditional workforce development pathways; and (2) a website to provide information to the public, conduct public outreach activities, and distribute marketing campaign materials (including the resource guide).
The bill establishes the United States Career Pathways Fund for grants to the corporation or to state and local workforce boards to assist in implementing the annual workforce strategy.
The Government Accountability Office must review and report on the corporation's programmatic activities.

To establish the Corporation for Career Pathways to promote pathways to 
       unfilled and emerging job markets, and for other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLES.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Workforce Promotion to Access 
Training to Help Workers, Adults, and Youths Succeed Act'' or the 
``Workforce PATHWAYS Act''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

    The purposes of this Act are--
            (1) to provide a coordinated process for developing a 
        national strategy to ensure that United States' students and 
        workers have access to affordable, relevant, and innovative 
        education and job training that will equip them to compete and 
        win in the global economy;
            (2) to prepare Americans for the 21st Century economy and 
        the emerging industries of the future by--
                    (A) providing an environment of lifelong learning 
                and skills-based training; and
                    (B) cultivating a demand-driven approach to the 
                opportunities available;
            (3) to establish a promotional public-private partnership 
        that--
                    (A) analyzes economic trends;
                    (B) promotes pathways to unfilled and emerging job 
                markets; and
                    (C) guides current and future workers in the United 
                States economy by providing information to empower 
                economic mobility and security for United States 
                workers;
            (4) to use economic and labor data and a honed marketing 
        campaign to reduce the barriers to choosing a career, or a 
        career transition, with more effective outreach and information 
        that is amenable and understandable for the worker and the 
        business community;
            (5) to use information and marketing to reduce the stigma 
        or uncertainties surrounding many quality and essential 
        professions in the United States;
            (6) to work with private employers, educational 
        institutions, labor unions, other nonprofit organizations, and 
        State, territorial, tribal, and local governments to update and 
        reshape the education and job training landscape in the United 
        States; and
            (7) to work to aide and strengthen United States workers in 
        the wake of a global pandemic that has inflicted significant 
        pain on their economic and physical well-being .

SEC. 3. CORPORATION FOR CAREER PATHWAYS.

    (a) Establishment.--There is authorized to be established a 
nonprofit corporation, which--
            (1) shall be known as the Corporation for Career Pathways 
        (referred to in this Act as the ``Corporation'');
            (2) shall not be an agency or establishment of the United 
        States Government; and
            (3) shall be subject to the provisions of the District of 
        Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act (chapter 4 of title 29, 
        District of Columbia Official Code) to the extent that such 
        provisions are consistent with this section.
    (b) Mission and Vision.--
            (1) Mission.--The mission of the Corporation is to increase 
        awareness of career pathways for United States workers, 
        educators, and employers by promoting workforce development 
        initiatives, educational programs, and other opportunities that 
        develop skills relevant to high-demand industries--
                    (A) to create a healthier, more resilient, and more 
                sustainable workforce; and
                    (B) to increase our Nation's global 
                competitiveness.
            (2) Vision.--The vision of the Corporation is working 
        through an innovative public-private partnership to use 
        strategic data analytics, an effective public marketing 
        campaign, and the dissemination of timely information to 
        provide the tools workers, educators, and employers need--
                    (A) to create greater economic mobility;
                    (B) to promote greater job creation or employment;
                    (C) to reduce long-tenured displaced and dislocated 
                workers; and
                    (D) to increase the Nation's gross-domestic 
                product, export potential, and overall economic 
                strength.
    (c) Board of Directors.--
            (1) In general.--The Corporation shall have a Board of 
        Directors (referred to in this section as the ``Board'') 
        consisting of 21 members, who--
                    (A) shall be appointed by the Secretary of Labor, 
                in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, the 
                Secretary of Education, the Administrator of the Small 
                Business Administration, the Director of the National 
                Economic Council, and the Chairman of the Council of 
                Economic Advisors;
                    (B) shall have knowledge of the domestic job 
                market, education opportunities, and career 
                development;
                    (C) shall collectively represent diverse 
                ethnicities and regions of the United States; and
                    (D) shall be United States citizens.
            (2) Membership.--Of the members appointed pursuant to 
        paragraph (1)(A)--
                    (A) 1 member shall have appropriate expertise and 
                experience at a 4-year institution of higher education;
                    (B) 1 member shall have appropriate expertise and 
                experience at a 2-year institution of higher education;
                    (C) 1 member shall have appropriate expertise and 
                experience at a career and technical training 
                institution;
                    (D) 1 member shall have appropriate expertise and 
                experience in other adult education opportunities;
                    (E) 1 member shall have appropriate expertise and 
                experience at a primary or secondary public school, 
                especially in preparing students in a career and 
                technical education environment;
                    (F) in selecting the members described in 
                subparagraphs (A) through (E), the Secretary of Labor 
                should give strong consideration to including at least 
                1 member with specific experience in career or academic 
                counseling;
                    (G) 1 member shall have appropriate expertise and 
                experience in State or local workforce boards;
                    (H) 1 member shall have appropriate expertise and 
                experience with economics of the labor market, 
                including possible work in academia;
                    (I) 1 member shall have appropriate expertise and 
                experience in a labor organization representing private 
                sector unions, including through established 
                apprenticeship programs;
                    (J) 1 member shall have appropriate expertise and 
                experience in a labor organization representing public 
                sector unions, including through established 
                apprenticeship programs;
                    (K) 1 member shall have appropriate expertise and 
                experience in a private sector business trade 
                association, such as a Chamber of Commerce;
                    (L) 1 member shall have appropriate expertise and 
                experience in small business or entrepreneurship, or 
                their associations;
                    (M) 1 member shall have appropriate expertise and 
                experience in state or regional economic development;
                    (N) 2 members shall have appropriate expertise and 
                experience in a nonprofit organization that specializes 
                in assisting workers with job placement and other 
                needs, at least 1 of which shall specialize in 
                assisting minority workers;
                    (O) 1 member shall have appropriate expertise and 
                experience in a nonprofit organization that provides 
                job and vocational education to unemployed and 
                underemployed individuals;
                    (P) 1 member shall have appropriate expertise and 
                experience in a nonprofit organization that specializes 
                in helping assist veterans in career development and 
                job placement;
                    (Q) 1 member shall have appropriate expertise and 
                experience in a nonprofit organization that specializes 
                in helping assist disabled workers;
                    (R) 1 member shall have appropriate expertise and 
                experience in a nonprofit organization that specializes 
                in helping assist at-risk youth;
                    (S) 1 member shall have appropriate expertise and 
                experience in a nonprofit organization that specializes 
                in helping assist in rehabilitating workers after 
                incarceration; and
                    (T) 2 members shall have appropriate expertise and 
                experience in areas not identified in subparagraphs (A) 
                through (S) (such as areas within the technology, 
                energy, and health care sectors), as determined by the 
                Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the other 
                officials referred to in paragraph (1)(A).
            (3) Incorporation.--The initial members of the Board shall 
        serve as incorporators and shall take whatever actions are 
        necessary to establish the Corporation under the District of 
        Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act (chapter 4 of title 29, 
        District of Columbia Official Code).
            (4) Term of office.--
                    (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph 
                (B), the term of office of each member of the Board 
                shall be 3 years.
                    (B) Exceptions.--Of the members initially appointed 
                to the Board under this subsection--
                            (i) 7 members shall be appointed for an 
                        initial 4-year term;
                            (ii) 7 members shall be appointed for an 
                        initial 3-year term; and
                            (iii) 7 members shall be appointed for an 
                        initial 2-year term.
            (5) Removal for cause.--The Secretary of Labor may remove 
        any member from the Board for good cause.
            (6) Vacancies.--
                    (A) In general.--Any vacancy in the Board shall not 
                affect the authority of the Board and shall be filled 
                in the manner required under this subsection.
                    (B) Service after expiration of term.--Any member 
                of the Board whose term has expired may continue to 
                serve on the Board until the earlier of--
                            (i) the date on which the member's 
                        successor has taken office; or
                            (ii) the last day of the calendar year in 
                        which the member's term has expired.
                    (C) Length of appointment.--Any member of the Board 
                appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the 
                expiration of the term for which that member's 
                predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the 
                remainder of such predecessor's term.
                    (D) Term limit.--A member of the Board may not 
                serve more than 2 consecutive terms (in addition to an 
                initial 2-year term, if applicable).
            (7) Election of chair and vice chairs.--Members of the 
        Board shall--
                    (A) annually elect a member to be Chair; and
                    (B) elect 1 or 2 members to be Vice Chair every 2 
                years.
            (8) Meetings.--
                    (A) Open to the public.--Meetings of the Board, 
                including any committee of the Board, shall be open to 
                the public. The Board may, by majority vote, close any 
                such meeting only for the time necessary to preserve 
                the confidentiality of commercial or financial 
                information that is privileged or confidential, to 
                discuss personnel matters, or to discuss legal matters 
                affecting the Corporation, including pending or 
                potential litigation.
                    (B) Frequency; locations.--The Chair shall convene 
                Board meetings not less frequently than 4 times per 
                year in diverse locations throughout the United States.
                    (C) Local input.--During Board meetings, members of 
                the Board--
                            (i) shall be briefed by local officials and 
                        individuals with appropriate expertise in the 
                        topic under discussion; and
                            (ii) shall review the efforts of the Board 
                        and impact of actions taken by the Board.
                    (D) Virtual attendance.--Not fewer than 1 of the 
                Board meetings each year may be conducted virtually to 
                reduce travel and lodging costs. Members of the Board 
                may attend any Board meeting virtually if the member 
                explains to the Board why his or her virtual attendance 
                is necessary.
            (9) Not federal employees.--Notwithstanding any other 
        provision of law, members of the Board may not be considered to 
        be employees of the United States Government as a result of 
        their service as members of the Board.
            (10) Compensation; expenses.--Members of the Board may not 
        receive any compensation from the Federal Government for their 
        service on the Board, but shall be paid actual travel expenses 
        and per diem in lieu of subsistence expenses when they are away 
        from their usual place of residence, in accordance with section 
        5703 of title 5, United States Code.
            (11) Annual objectives.--The Board shall establish annual 
        objectives through a workforce strategy for the Corporation for 
        each fiscal year, subject to approval by the Secretary of 
        Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, the 
        Secretary of Education, the Administrator of the Small Business 
        Administration, the Director of the National Economic Council, 
        and the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors.
            (12) Budget.--Not later than 60 days before the beginning 
        of each fiscal year, the Board shall--
                    (A) submit a copy of the Corporation's budget for 
                the upcoming fiscal year to the Secretary of Labor, 
                which budget shall include a detailed explanation of 
                any expenditure provided for in the budget in excess of 
                $5,000,000; and
                    (B) post a copy of the budget and explanation 
                described in subparagraph (A) on the Corporation's 
                website.
    (d) Officers and Employees.--
            (1) In general.--
                    (A) Officers.--The Board shall hire United States 
                citizens to serve as the Executive Director of the 
                Corporation and as such other officers as may be 
                necessary to carry out the duties of the Corporation.
                    (B) Employees.--The Executive Director, under the 
                direction of the Board, shall hire such employees of 
                the Corporation as may be necessary, including--
                            (i) individuals with expertise and 
                        experience in labor market economics,
                            (ii) individuals with private and public 
                        sector experience;
                            (iii) individuals with expertise and 
                        experience in public relations; and
                            (iv) individuals with expertise and 
                        experience in labor relations.
                    (C) Length of service.--Officers and employees 
                hired pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall serve 
                for terms fixed by the Board and at the pleasure of the 
                Board.
                    (D) Compensation.--
                            (i) In general.--The Corporation may fix 
                        the compensation of officers and employees 
                        hired pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B).
                            (ii) Limitation.--Except as provided in 
                        clause (iii), officers and employees of the 
                        Corporation may not receive any salary or other 
                        compensation from any sources other than the 
                        Corporation for services rendered during their 
                        employment by the Corporation.
                            (iii) Service for other organizations.--
                        Officers may receive compensation for service 
                        on the Board of Directors or a committee of an 
                        organization that does not receive funds from 
                        the Corporation if such service has been 
                        approved in advance by the Board and is subject 
                        to the provisions of the Corporation's 
                        Statement of Ethical Conduct.
            (2) Nonpolitical nature of appointment.--No political test 
        or qualification may be used in selecting, appointing, 
        promoting, or taking other personnel actions with respect to 
        officers or employees of the Corporation.
    (e) Nonprofit and Nonpolitical Nature of Corporation.--
            (1) Stock.--The Corporation shall have no power to issue 
        any shares of stock, or to declare or pay any dividends.
            (2) Profit.--No part of the income or assets of the 
        Corporation shall inure to the benefit of any director, 
        officer, employee, or any other individual except as salary or 
        reasonable compensation for services.
            (3) Political contributions.--The Corporation may not 
        contribute to or otherwise support any political party or 
        candidate for elective public office. Individual members of the 
        Board are not prohibited from such activities when acting in 
        their personal capacity.
            (4) Lobbying activities.--It is the sense of Congress that 
        the Corporation should not engage in lobbying activities (as 
        defined in section 3(7) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 
        (2 U.S.C. 1602(7)). Individual members of the Board are not 
        prohibited from such activities in their personal capacity.
            (5) Broad focus.--In carrying out its duties under this 
        section, the Corporation may not overtly prioritize any 
        particular group of jobs or industries beyond what is 
        statistically justified.
    (f) Duties and Powers.--
            (1) Annual reports.--
                    (A) Operations.--Not later than March 1st of each 
                year, the Corporation shall submit a report to the 
                Secretary of Labor, which shall include, with respect 
                to the preceding fiscal year--
                            (i) a comprehensive and detailed 
                        description of the Corporation's operations, 
                        activities, financial condition, and 
                        accomplishments in promoting United States 
                        workers, the domestic job market, and career 
                        pathways, including any actions authorized 
                        under paragraph (5);
                            (ii) a comprehensive and detailed 
                        accounting of amounts obligated or expended by 
                        the Corporation;
                            (iii) a detailed description of each in-
                        kind contribution received by the Corporation, 
                        including, for each such contribution--
                                    (I) its fair market value;
                                    (II) the individual or organization 
                                responsible for making the 
                                contribution;
                                    (III) its specific use; and
                                    (IV) a justification for its use 
                                within the context of the Corporation's 
                                mission;
                            (iv) an objective and quantifiable 
                        measurement of the progress made, on an 
                        objective-by-objective basis, in meeting the 
                        objectives established by the Board and 
                        included within the annual workforce strategy;
                            (v) an explanation of any challenges to 
                        achieve an objective established by the Board 
                        and any revisions or alterations to the 
                        Corporation's objectives established by the 
                        Board pursuant to the annual workforce 
                        strategy;
                            (vi) such recommendations as the Board 
                        considers appropriate for all workforce 
                        stakeholders, including the Executive branch, 
                        Congress, States, and local governments.
                    (B) Workforce strategy.--Not later than January 1st 
                of each year, the Corporation shall develop and submit 
                to the Secretary of Labor an annual workforce strategy 
                for engaging all labor market stakeholders about 
                opportunities or changes to useful degrees, registered 
                apprenticeship programs, and certifications or skill 
                sets, which shall include--
                            (i) setting specific workforce performance 
                        goals to be supported by the Corporation that 
                        benefit all States, territories, and the 
                        District of Columbia;
                            (ii) identifying opportunities and 
                        strategies to create more job and career 
                        building opportunities and mobility to rural, 
                        urban, and suburban areas;
                            (iii) evaluating the current and future 
                        state of the United States workforce, including 
                        projected emerging job and skill needs across 
                        all sectors of the United States economy;
                            (iv) identifying and addressing potential 
                        impacts of emerging technologies on the 
                        workforce;
                            (v) providing information pertaining to--
                                    (I) the 25 job classifications that 
                                are currently in the highest demand in 
                                each State or region, according to the 
                                latest State and regional assessments 
                                and reports;
                                    (II) the 50 job classifications 
                                that are currently in the highest 
                                demand nationwide; and
                                    (III) the emerging job market 
                                trends anticipated 5 years and 10 years 
                                into the future;
                            (vi) taking a strategic look at whether it 
                        is more accurate or effective to break the 
                        lists referred to in clause (v) into regions, 
                        rather than breaking them up exclusively along 
                        State lines;
                            (vii) exploring and providing information 
                        on how to better connect the appropriate 
                        employers and workers, including by 
                        highlighting emerging industries to better link 
                        potential employees to the business and job 
                        markets that are hiring;
                            (viii) identifying necessary general skill 
                        sets, such as time management, judgement and 
                        decision making, operation monitoring, 
                        coordination, speaking, critical thinking, 
                        active listening, and material resource 
                        management, that are most desired, important, 
                        and needed by employers and the most in-demand 
                        jobs and careers;
                            (ix) identifying the necessary specific 
                        skill sets needed to match the demands of the 
                        Nation, State, or region's in-demand job 
                        markets;
                            (x) identifying the current education and 
                        training capacity of United States educational 
                        and vocational institutions and career pathways 
                        to meet the workforce needs identified pursuant 
                        to clauses (iii) and (v), including fields for 
                        which there is a shortfall or surplus of 
                        education and training capacity;
                            (xi) identifying and addressing what 
                        motivates workers and promoting such 
                        motivators;
                            (xii) identifying and addressing barriers 
                        to retaining individuals in careers;
                            (xiii) identifying and addressing factors 
                        influencing individuals pursuing careers in in-
                        demand fields, including barriers to attracting 
                        individuals into such fields, particularly 
                        young people and traditionally underrepresented 
                        populations, including women and minorities;
                            (xiv) considering how Federal agencies, 
                        businesses, industries, labor organizations, 
                        educators, and other stakeholders can 
                        coordinate efforts to support qualified 
                        individuals in pursuing careers in high-demand 
                        fields;
                            (xv) identifying and addressing the most 
                        effective manner to transition between jobs or 
                        between geographic locations;
                            (xvi) identifying and addressing any 
                        potential stigmas or misperceptions, that 
                        influence whether young individuals pursue 
                        careers associated with certain jobs or career 
                        paths in in-demand fields;
                            (xvii) facilitating and encouraging 
                        elementary, secondary, and postsecondary 
                        students in the United States to pursue careers 
                        in in-demand fields;
                            (xviii) identifying and developing pathways 
                        for students and individuals to secure 
                        apprenticeships readiness, registered 
                        apprenticeships, and other work-based learning 
                        opportunities in in-demand fields;
                            (xix) identifying methods of enhancing 
                        apprenticeships readiness and registered 
                        apprenticeships, job skills training, 
                        mentorship, education, and outreach programs 
                        that are exclusive to youth, veterans, disabled 
                        persons, and senior citizens in the United 
                        States;
                            (xx) identifying potential sources of 
                        funding, including grants and scholarships, 
                        that may be used to support youth, veterans, 
                        disabled persons, senior citizens, and other 
                        qualified individuals in pursuing careers in 
                        high-demand fields;
                            (xxi) reevaluating education and workforce 
                        training programs to meet constantly changing 
                        employer needs and engaging with business 
                        leaders, educational institutions, and 
                        community-based organizations to ensure that 
                        the needs of the workforce are being offered in 
                        education and training;
                            (xxii) creating policies that build 
                        pathways between secondary education, post-
                        secondary education, training institutions, and 
                        business communities;
                            (xxiii) ensuring that secondary education, 
                        post-secondary education, workforce training, 
                        and business development programs consider 
                        equity by targeting investments in low-income 
                        neighborhoods, which often results in higher 
                        growth rates and broader equity and 
                        inclusivity; and
                            (xxiv) conducting outreach to employers to 
                        persuade the employers to adopt these options, 
                        including the registered apprenticeship model.
                    (C) Marketing plan.--In conjunction with the 
                workforce strategy developed pursuant to subparagraph 
                (B), the Corporation shall develop and submit an annual 
                marketing plan to the Secretary of Labor that--
                            (i) incorporates the elements described in 
                        subparagraph (B);
                            (ii) helps individuals chart a career path 
                        that will place them in the middle class or 
                        higher without having to work more than 1 job;
                            (iii) informs individuals of professional 
                        development opportunities, including the 
                        advantageous longitudinal outcomes associated 
                        with such opportunities;
                            (iv) markets the options regionally to 
                        employers, nonprofit organizations, workforce 
                        boards, potential apprentices, secondary school 
                        students, counselors, school administrators, 
                        and parents;
                            (v) maximizes the economic benefits to the 
                        United States by promoting effective business 
                        and workforce integration in the United States 
                        through advertising, outreach to educational 
                        institutions, labor organizations, business 
                        trade shows, and other appropriate promotional 
                        activities;
                            (vi) addresses ways to diversify the 
                        employment and career pathways in many 
                        industries by--
                                    (I) providing employment 
                                opportunities to underrepresented 
                                communities;
                                    (II) promoting diversity among 
                                these options by marketing and 
                                supporting outreach to underrepresented 
                                populations, including women and 
                                minorities; and
                                    (III) increasing access for 
                                vulnerable or underrepresented 
                                populations, especially women and 
                                minorities, to high skill and other in-
                                demand careers;
                            (vii) more effectively coordinates 
                        veterans, seniors, and disabled populations 
                        into the job market;
                            (viii) includes regional, State, or local 
                        analyses in the Corporation's materials and 
                        marketing efforts;
                            (ix) evaluates and provides awards or 
                        recognition in accordance with paragraph (4); 
                        and
                            (x) includes a ``Workforce Report Card'' to 
                        monitor the progress made towards meeting 
                        annual workforce performance goals established 
                        pursuant to subparagraph (B)(i).
            (2) Annual united states career forecast and resource 
        guide.--Not later than April 1st of each year, the Corporation, 
        using elements required in the annual workforce strategy and 
        any other information and resources readily available from 
        Federal, State, and local governments, consortiums, and 
        academic institutions, shall publish an annual public United 
        States Career Forecast and Resource Guide that provides such 
        information in a plain, understandable way--
                    (A) to educate the American public regarding the 
                United States job market, including--
                            (i) information regarding in-demand 
                        industries, workforce needs, and pathways for 
                        training for and obtaining available jobs; and
                            (ii) identifying and correcting common 
                        misperceptions regarding such issues;
                    (B) to provide useful, understandable, and concrete 
                information to students, workers, businesses, scholars, 
                scientists, and others involved in the United States 
                job market;
                    (C) to identify the workforce needs of the United 
                States economy, broken down by State, or regions, as 
                appropriate, and time period, including government 
                employment and other public service employment;
                    (D) to outline effective career development 
                opportunities that include additional or complementary 
                career pathways;
                    (E) to promote opportunities and pathways for small 
                businesses and entrepreneurship;
                    (F) to provide a list of Federal and State 
                resources to assist United States workers, educators, 
                or career counselors to navigate relevant career 
                pathways in fields in which more workers are needed;
                    (G) to advocate for the implementation of education 
                and training systems, including registered 
                apprenticeships, that are fully aligned with workforce 
                needs;
                    (H) to promote underrepresented communities in in-
                demand industries;
                    (I) to include rural workforce and job markets in 
                all workforce development efforts;
                    (J) to focus on in-demand industries and 
                populations that are most likely to drive the United 
                States economy;
                    (K) to outline the economic and other benefits of 
                filling domestic job markets with properly trained 
                United States workers through advertising, outreach to 
                workforce and business associations, and other 
                appropriate promotional activities; and
                    (L) to identify efforts that can be made by 
                employers, educators, and workers to provide for 
                greater income mobility and economic stability in the 
                future job market.
            (3) Distribution of report and strategy.--Not later than 60 
        days after receiving each operations report pursuant to 
        paragraph (1)(A) and each workforce strategy pursuant to 
        paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary of Labor shall submit a copy of 
        such report and strategy to--
                    (A) the Secretary of Education;
                    (B) the Secretary of Commerce;
                    (C) the Administrator of the Small Business 
                Administration;
                    (D) the Director of the National Economic Council;
                    (E) the Chairperson of the Council of Economic 
                Advisors;
                    (F) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
                    (G) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation of the Senate;
                    (H) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
                Pensions of the Senate;
                    (I) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
                Representatives;
                    (J) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
                House of Representatives; and
                    (K) the Committee on Education and Labor of the 
                House of Representatives.
            (4) Recognition awards.--The Corporation shall establish an 
        awards program to annually recognize--
                    (A) workers and students who achieve excellence in 
                registered apprenticeships, adult education programs, 
                career and technical education programs, or other 
                nontraditional workforce development pathways;
                    (B) educational institutions that take unique or 
                innovative approaches to developing a skilled 
                workforce; and
                    (C) businesses that take unique or innovative 
                approaches to developing a skilled workforce.
            (5) Powers.--In order to carry out the activities required 
        under this subsection, the Corporation may--
                    (A) obtain grants from, partner with, and make 
                contracts with, Federal and State agencies, trade 
                associations, private companies, coalitions, and other 
                institutions with relevant expertise;
                    (B) hire or accept the voluntary services of 
                consultants, experts, advisory boards, and panels to 
                aid the Corporation in carrying out such activities; 
                and
                    (C) take such other actions as may be necessary to 
                accomplish such activities.
    (g) Website.--The Corporation shall develop and maintain a publicly 
accessible website through which it shall--
            (1) provide information to the public, including 
        stakeholders;
            (2) conduct public outreach activities; and
            (3) distribute marketing campaign materials, including the 
        resource guide described in subsection (f)(2).
    (h) Use of Available Data and Statistics.--In carrying out all of 
the duties and activities described in this section, the Corporation 
shall--
            (1) make use of all relevant and available data and 
        statistics used by Federal and State agencies, as appropriate, 
        including reports, data collection, surveys, and the similar 
        efforts;
            (2) take all necessary precautions to avoid maintaining any 
        individual's personal information; and
            (3) make available the data, information, and statistics it 
        collects for the responsible use by Federal and State agencies, 
        as appropriate, including reports, data collection, surveys, 
        and similar efforts.

SEC. 4. FUNDING.

    (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
        $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2022 through 2026 to 
        carry out this Act.
            (2) Additional funding during periods of high 
        unemployment.--During any of the fiscal years referred to in 
        paragraph (1) in which the United States unemployment rate 
        exceeds 10 percent, there is authorized to be appropriated an 
        additional $25,000,000 to carry out this Act.
    (b) Non-Federal Contributions.--The Corporation shall seek up to 
$25,000,000 annually in contributions from--
            (1) United States corporations;
            (2) local chambers of commerce;
            (3) institutions of higher education, including vocational 
        schools;
            (4) State and local governments;
            (5) workforce boards;
            (6) nonprofit organizations;
            (7) labor organizations; and
            (8) other interested stakeholders that the Corporation 
        considers appropriate.
    (c) United States Career Pathways Fund.--
            (1) In general.--There is established in the general fund 
        of the Treasury a separate account, which shall be known as the 
        ``United States Career Pathways Fund''.
            (2) Deposits.--There shall be deposited into the United 
        States Career Pathways Fund--
                    (A) amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection 
                (a); and
                    (B) amounts donated to the Corporation for Career 
                Pathways in accordance with subsection (b).
            (3) Use of fees.--Amounts deposited into the United States 
        Career Pathways Fund shall remain available until expended for 
        grants for the Corporation or for State and local workforce 
        boards to assist in the implementation of the annual workforce 
        strategy described in section 3(f)(1)(B).
    (d) Matching Public and Private Funding.--
            (1) Start-up expenses.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), of the 
                amounts deposited into the United States Career 
                Pathways Fund pursuant to subsection (c)(2), the 
                Secretary of the Treasury shall make available to the 
                Corporation up to $10,000,000 to cover the 
                Corporation's initial expenses and activities under 
                this Act.
                    (B) Quarterly transfers.--Transfers from the United 
                States Career Pathways Fund to the Corporation shall be 
                made not less frequently than quarterly, beginning on 
                January 1, 2022, on the basis of estimates by the 
                Secretary of the Treasury. Proper adjustments shall be 
                made in amounts subsequently transferred to the extent 
                prior estimates were in excess or less than the amounts 
                required to be transferred.
            (2) Funding for subsequent fiscal years.--Subject to 
        paragraph (3), for each of the fiscal years 2022 through 2026, 
        the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer make quarterly 
        transfers from the United States Career Pathways Fund to the 
        Corporation in an amount that is equal to the amount deposited 
        into the United States Career Pathways Fund during the prior 
        quarter.
            (3) Matching requirement.--
                    (A) In general.--Amounts may not be transferred to 
                the Corporation under this subsection unless, for each 
                of the fiscal years 2023 through 2026, the Corporation 
                provides a non-Federal match equal to the amount 
                transferred to the Fund under paragraph (2) for each 
                such fiscal year.
                    (B) Goods and services.--
                            (i) In general.--For the purpose of 
                        determining the value of the non-Federal match 
                        under subparagraph (A) the fair market value of 
                        goods and services (including advertising) 
                        contributed to the Corporation--
                                    (I) may be included in the 
                                determination; and
                                    (II) may not account for more than 
                                80 percent of the matching requirement 
                                in any fiscal year.
                            (ii) Right of refusal.--The Corporation may 
                        decline to accept any in-kind contribution 
                        determined to be inappropriate, not useful, or 
                        commercially worthless.
                    (C) Waiver.--The matching requirement under 
                subparagraph (A) shall be waived during the 12-month 
                period beginning on the date on which the United States 
                unemployment rate is greater than 10 percent.
                    (D) Limitation.--The Corporation may not obligate 
                or expend funds in excess of the total amount received 
                by the Corporation for a fiscal year from Federal and 
                non-Federal sources.
            (4) Carryforward.--
                    (A) Federal funds.--Amounts transferred to the Fund 
                under paragraph (1) or (2) shall remain available until 
                expended.
                    (B) Matching funds.--Any amount received by the 
                Corporation from non-Federal sources in any of fiscal 
                year 2022 through 2026 that cannot be used to meet the 
                matching requirement under paragraph (3)(A) for the 
                fiscal year in which amount was collected may be 
                carried forward and treated as having been received in 
                the succeeding fiscal year for purposes of meeting such 
                matching requirement in such succeeding fiscal year.
    (e) Limitations on Use of Funds.--
            (1) In general.--Amounts deposited into the Corporation for 
        Career Pathways Account may not be used for any purpose other 
        than carrying out the responsibilities of the Corporation under 
        this subsection.
            (2) Major campaigns.--The Board may not authorize the 
        Corporation to obligate or expend more than $15,000,000 on any 
        advertising campaign, promotion, or related effort unless--
                    (A) at least 10 members of the Board are present 
                (including virtual presence, as authorized under 
                paragraph 3(c)(8)(D)) at the meeting at which such 
                obligation or expenditure is approved;
                    (B) such obligation or expenditure is approved by 
                an affirmative vote of at least 2/3 of such members; 
                and
                    (C) each member of the Board was given at least 3 
                days advance notice of the meeting at which the vote on 
                the obligation or expenditure is to be taken that 
                identifies the matters to be voted upon at such 
                meeting.
    (f) Accountability.--
            (1) Annual financial audits.--
                    (A) In general.--The Corporation shall contract 
                with an independent accounting firm to conduct an 
                annual financial audit of the Corporation's operations 
                and shall publish the results of each audit on its 
                public website.
                    (B) GAO review.--The Comptroller General of the 
                United States may--
                            (i) review any audit of a financial 
                        statement conducted under subparagraph; and
                            (ii) conduct periodic audits of the 
                        Corporation's operations.
            (2) Program review.--Not later than 2 years after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
        United States shall--
                    (A) conduct a review of the programmatic activities 
                of the Corporation; and
                    (B) submit a report to the appropriate 
                congressional committees that contains the results of 
                such review.
            (3) Access to records.--The Corporation shall provide 
        Congress and the Comptroller General of the United States with 
        full and complete access to the books and records of the 
        Corporation.
                                 <all>