29 USC 3171 - General authorization

Collapse to view only § 3171. General authorization

§ 3171. General authorization
§ 3172. State allotments
§ 3173. Within State allocations
§ 3174. Use of funds for employment and training activities

§ 3171. General authorization

The Secretary shall make allotments under paragraphs (1)(B) and (2)(B) of section 3172(b) of this title to each State that meets the requirements of section 3112 or 3113 of this title and grants under paragraphs (1)(A) and (2)(A) of section 3172(b) of this title to each outlying area that complies with the requirements of this subchapter, to assist the State or outlying area, and to enable the State or outlying area to assist local areas, for the purpose of providing workforce investment activities for adults, and dislocated workers, in the State or outlying area and in the local areas.

(Pub. L. 113–128, title I, § 131, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1511.)

§ 3172. State allotments

(a) In general

The Secretary shall—

(1) make allotments and grants from the amount appropriated under section 3181(b) of this title for a fiscal year in accordance with subsection (b)(1); and

(2)

(A) reserve 20 percent of the amount appropriated under section 3181(c) of this title for the fiscal year for use under subsection (b)(2)(A), and under sections 3223(b) (relating to dislocated worker technical assistance), 3224(c) (relating to dislocated worker projects), and 3225 of this title (relating to national dislocated worker grants); and

(B) make allotments from 80 percent of the amount appropriated under section 3181(c) of this title for the fiscal year in accordance with subsection (b)(2)(B).

(b) Allotment among States

(1) Adult employment and training activities

(A) Reservation for outlying areas

(i) In general

(ii) Applicability of additional requirements

(B) States

(i) In general

(ii) Formula

Subject to clauses (iii) and (iv), of the remainder—

(I) 33⅓ percent shall be allotted on the basis of the relative number of unemployed individuals in areas of substantial unemployment in each State, compared to the total number of unemployed individuals in areas of substantial unemployment in all States;(II) 33⅓ percent shall be allotted on the basis of the relative excess number of unemployed individuals in each State, compared to the total excess number of unemployed individuals in all States; and(III) 33⅓ percent shall be allotted on the basis of the relative number of disadvantaged adults in each State, compared to the total number of disadvantaged adults in all States, except as described in clause (iii).

(iii) Calculation

In determining an allotment under clause (ii)(III) for any State in which there is an area that was designated as a local area as described in section 3122(c)(1)(C) of this title, the allotment shall be based on the higher of—

(I) the number of adults in families with an income below the low-income level in such area; or(II) the number of disadvantaged adults in such area.

(iv) Minimum and maximum percentages and minimum allotments

In making allotments under this subparagraph, the Secretary shall ensure the following:

(I) Minimum percentage and allotment(II) Small State minimum allotment

Subject to subclauses (I), (III), and (IV), the Secretary shall ensure that no State shall receive an allotment under this subparagraph that is less than the total of—

(aa)3⁄10 of 1 percent of $960,000,000 of the remainder described in clause (i) for the fiscal year; and(bb) if the remainder described in clause (i) for the fiscal year exceeds $960,000,000, ⅖ of 1 percent of the excess.(III) Maximum percentage(IV) Minimum funding

(v) Definitions

For the purpose of the formula specified in this subparagraph:

(I) Adult(II) Allotment percentage(III) Area of substantial unemployment(IV) Disadvantaged adult

Subject to subclause (V), the term “disadvantaged adult” means an adult who received an income, or is a member of a family that received a total family income, that, in relation to family size, does not exceed the higher of—

(aa) the poverty line; or(bb) 70 percent of the lower living standard income level.(V) Disadvantaged adult special rule(VI) Excess number

The term “excess number” means, used with respect to the excess number of unemployed individuals within a State, the higher of—

(aa) the number that represents the number of unemployed individuals in excess of 4.5 percent of the civilian labor force in the State; or(bb) the number that represents the number of unemployed individuals in excess of 4.5 percent of the civilian labor force in areas of substantial unemployment in such State.(VII) Low-income level

(2) Dislocated worker employment and training activities

(A) Reservation for outlying areas

(i) In general

(ii) Applicability of additional requirements

(B) States

(i) In general

(ii) Formula

Subject to clause (iii), of the amount—

(I) 33⅓ percent shall be allotted on the basis of the relative number of unemployed individuals in each State, compared to the total number of unemployed individuals in all States;(II) 33⅓ percent shall be allotted on the basis of the relative excess number of unemployed individuals in each State, compared to the total excess number of unemployed individuals in all States; and(III) 33⅓ percent shall be allotted on the basis of the relative number of individuals in each State who have been unemployed for 15 weeks or more, compared to the total number of individuals in all States who have been unemployed for 15 weeks or more.

(iii) Minimum and maximum percentages and minimum allotments

In making allotments under this subparagraph, for fiscal year 2016 and each subsequent fiscal year, the Secretary shall ensure the following:

(I) Minimum percentage and allotment(II) Maximum percentage

(iv) Definitions

For the purpose of the formula specified in this subparagraph:

(I) Allotment percentage(II) Excess number

(1) In general

(2) Amount

(3) Reallotment

(4) Eligibility

For purposes of this subsection, an eligible State means—

(A) with respect to funds allotted through a State allotment for adult employment and training activities, a State that does not have an amount of such funds available for reallotment under paragraph (2) for the program year for which the determination under paragraph (2) is made; and

(B) with respect to funds allotted through a State allotment for dislocated worker employment and training activities, a State that does not have an amount of such funds available for reallotment under paragraph (2) for the program year for which the determination under paragraph (2) is made.

(5) Procedures

(Pub. L. 113–128, title I, § 132, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1511; Pub. L. 114–18, § 2(d), May 22, 2015, 129 Stat. 213.)

§ 3173. Within State allocations

(a) Reservations for State activities

(1) Statewide workforce investment activities

(2) Statewide rapid response activities

(b) Within State allocation

(1) MethodsThe Governor, acting in accordance with the State plan, and after consulting with chief elected officials and local boards in the local areas, shall allocate—

(A) the funds that are allotted to the State for adult employment and training activities and statewide workforce investment activities under section 3172(b)(1)(B) of this title and are not reserved under subsection (a)(1), in accordance with paragraph (2) or (3); and

(B) the funds that are allotted to the State for dislocated worker employment and training activities and statewide workforce investment activities under section 3172(b)(2)(B) of this title and are not reserved under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a), in accordance with paragraph (2).

(2) Formula allocations

(A) Adult employment and training activities

(i) AllocationIn allocating the funds described in paragraph (1)(A) to local areas, a State may allocate—(I) 33⅓ percent of the funds on the basis described in section 3172(b)(1)(B)(ii)(I) of this title;(II) 33⅓ percent of the funds on the basis described in section 3172(b)(1)(B)(ii)(II) of this title; and(III) 33⅓ percent of the funds on the basis described in clauses (ii)(III) and (iii) of section 3172(b)(1)(B) of this title.

(ii) Minimum percentage

(iii) Definition

(B) Dislocated worker employment and training activities

(i) Allocation

(ii) Information

(iii) Minimum percentage

(iv) Definition

(i) references in section 3172(b) of this title to a State shall be deemed to be references to a local area;

(ii) references in section 3172(b) of this title to all States shall be deemed to be references to all local areas in the State involved; and

(iii) except as described in clause (i), references in section 3172(b)(1) of this title to the term “excess number” shall be considered to be references to the term as defined in section 3172(b)(1) of this title.

(3) Adult employment and training discretionary allocationsIn lieu of making the allocation described in paragraph (2)(A), in allocating the funds described in paragraph (1)(A) to local areas, a State may distribute—

(A) a portion equal to not less than 70 percent of the funds in accordance with paragraph (2)(A); and

(B) the remaining portion of the funds on the basis of a formula that—

(i) incorporates additional factors (other than the factors described in paragraph (2)(A)) relating to—(I) excess poverty in urban, rural, and suburban local areas; and(II) excess unemployment above the State average in urban, rural, and suburban local areas; and

(ii) was developed by the State board and approved by the Secretary as part of the State plan.

(4) Transfer authorityA local board may transfer, if such a transfer is approved by the Governor, up to and including 100 percent of the funds allocated to the local area under paragraph (2)(A) or (3), and up to and including 100 percent of the funds allocated to the local area under paragraph (2)(B), for a fiscal year between—

(A) adult employment and training activities; and

(B) dislocated worker employment and training activities.

(5) Allocation

(A) In general

(B) Additional requirements

(i) Adults

(ii) Dislocated workers

(1) In general

(2) AmountThe amount available for reallocation for a program year—

(A) for adult employment and training activities is equal to the amount by which the unobligated balance of the local allocation under paragraph (2)(A) or (3) of subsection (b) for such activities, at the end of the program year prior to the program year for which the determination under this subparagraph is made, exceeds 20 percent of such allocation for the prior program year; and

(B) for dislocated worker employment and training activities is equal to the amount by which the unobligated balance of the local allocation under subsection (b)(2)(B) for such activities, at the end of the program year prior to the program year for which the determination under this subparagraph is made, exceeds 20 percent of such allocation for the prior program year.

(3) ReallocationIn making reallocations to eligible local areas of amounts available pursuant to paragraph (2) for a program year, the Governor shall allocate to each eligible local area within the State—

(A) with respect to such available amounts that were allocated under paragraph (2)(A) or (3) of subsection (b), an amount based on the relative amount of the local allocation under paragraph (2)(A) or (3) of subsection (b), as appropriate, for the program year for which the determination is made, as compared to the total amount of the local allocations under paragraph (2)(A) or (3) of subsection (b), as appropriate, for all eligible local areas in the State for such program year; and

(B) with respect to such available amounts that were allocated under subsection (b)(2)(B), an amount based on the relative amount of the local allocation under subsection (b)(2)(B) for the program year for which the determination is made, as compared to the total amount of the local allocations under subsection (b)(2)(B) for all eligible local areas in the State for such program year.

(4) EligibilityFor purposes of this subsection, an eligible local area means—

(A) with respect to funds allocated through a local allocation for adult employment and training activities, a local area that does not have an amount of such funds available for reallocation under paragraph (2) for the program year for which the determination under paragraph (2) is made; and

(B) with respect to funds allocated through a local allocation for dislocated worker employment and training activities, a local area that does not have an amount of such funds available for reallocation under paragraph (2) for the program year for which the determination under paragraph (2) is made.

(Pub. L. 113–128, title I, § 133, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1516.)

§ 3174. Use of funds for employment and training activities

(a) Statewide employment and training activities

(1) In generalFunds reserved by a Governor—

(A) as described in section 3173(a)(2) of this title shall be used to carry out the statewide rapid response activities described in paragraph (2)(A); and

(B) as described in sections 3163(a) and 3173(a)(1) of this title—

(i) shall be used to carry out the statewide employment and training activities described in paragraph (2)(B); and

(ii) may be used to carry out any of the statewide employment and training activities described in paragraph (3),

regardless of whether the funds were allotted to the State under section 3162(b)(1) of this title or under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 3172(b) of this title.

(2) Required statewide employment and training activities

(A) Statewide rapid response activities

(i) In generalA State shall carry out statewide rapid response activities using funds reserved by the Governor for the State under section 3173(a)(2) of this title, which activities shall include—(I) provision of rapid response activities, carried out in local areas by the State or by an entity designated by the State, working in conjunction with the local boards and the chief elected officials for the local areas; and(II) provision of additional assistance to local areas that experience disasters, mass layoffs, or plant closings, or other events that precipitate substantial increases in the number of unemployed individuals, carried out in local areas by the State, working in conjunction with the local boards and the chief elected officials for the local areas.

(ii) Use of unobligated funds

(B) Statewide employment and training activitiesFunds reserved by a Governor under sections 3163(a)(1) and 3173(a)(1) of this title and not used under paragraph (1)(A) (regardless of whether the funds were allotted to the States under section 3162(b)(1)(C) of this title or paragraph (1)(B) or (2)(B) of section 3172(b) of this title) shall be used for statewide employment and training activities, including—

(i) providing assistance to—(I) State entities and agencies, local areas, and one-stop partners in carrying out the activities described in the State plan, including the coordination and alignment of data systems used to carry out the requirements of this Act;(II) local areas for carrying out the regional planning and service delivery efforts required under section 3121(c) of this title;(III) local areas by providing information on and support for the effective development, convening, and implementation of industry or sector partnerships; and(IV) local areas, one-stop operators, one-stop partners, and eligible providers, including the development and training of staff, which may include the development and training of staff to provide opportunities for individuals with barriers to employment to enter in-demand industry sectors or occupations and nontraditional occupations, the development of exemplary program activities, and the provision of technical assistance to local areas that fail to meet local performance accountability measures described in section 3141(c) of this title;

(ii) providing assistance to local areas as described in section 3121(b)(7) of this title;

(iii) operating a fiscal and management accountability information system in accordance with section 3141(i) of this title;

(iv) carrying out monitoring and oversight of activities carried out under this subpart and subpart 2;

(v) disseminating—(I) the State list of eligible providers of training services, including eligible providers of nontraditional training services and eligible providers of apprenticeship programs described in section 3152(a)(2)(B) of this title;(II) information identifying eligible providers of on-the-job training, customized training, incumbent worker training, internships, paid or unpaid work experience opportunities, or transitional jobs;(III) information on effective outreach to, partnerships with, and services for, business;(IV) information on effective service delivery strategies to serve workers and job seekers;(V) performance information and information on the cost of attendance (including tuition and fees) for participants in applicable programs, as described in subsections (d) and (h) of section 3152 of this title; and(VI) information on physical and programmatic accessibility, in accordance with section 3248 of this title, if applicable, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), for individuals with disabilities; and

(vi) conducting evaluations under section 3141(e) of this title of activities authorized under this subpart and subpart 2 in coordination with evaluations carried out by the Secretary under section 3224(a) of this title.

(3) Allowable statewide employment and training activities

(A) In generalFunds reserved by a Governor under sections 3163(a)(1) and 3173(a)(1) of this title and not used under paragraph (1)(A) or (2)(B) (regardless of whether the funds were allotted to the State under section 3162(b)(1)(C) of this title or paragraph (1)(B) or (2)(B) of section 3172(b) of this title) may be used to carry out additional statewide employment and training activities, which may include—

(i) implementing innovative programs and strategies designed to meet the needs of all employers (including small employers) in the State, which programs and strategies may include incumbent worker training programs, customized training, sectoral and industry cluster strategies and implementation of industry or sector partnerships, career pathway programs, microenterprise and entrepreneurial training and support programs, utilization of effective business intermediaries, layoff aversion strategies, activities to improve linkages between the one-stop delivery system in the State and all employers (including small employers) in the State, and other business services and strategies that better engage employers in workforce investment activities and make the workforce development system more relevant to the needs of State and local businesses, consistent with the objectives of this subchapter;

(ii) developing strategies for effectively serving individuals with barriers to employment and for coordinating programs and services among one-stop partners;

(iii) the development or identification of education and training programs that respond to real-time labor market analysis, that utilize direct assessment and prior learning assessment to measure and provide credit for prior knowledge, skills, competencies, and experiences, that evaluate such skills and competencies for adaptability, that ensure credits are portable and stackable for more skilled employment, and that accelerate course or credential completion;

(iv) implementing programs to increase the number of individuals training for and placed in nontraditional employment;

(v) carrying out activities to facilitate remote access to services, including training services described in subsection (c)(3), provided through a one-stop delivery system, including facilitating access through the use of technology;

(vi) supporting the provision of career services described in subsection (c)(2) in the one-stop delivery systems in the State;

(vii) coordinating activities with the child welfare system to facilitate provision of services for children and youth who are eligible for assistance under section 477 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677);

(viii) activities—(I) to improve coordination of workforce investment activities with economic development activities;(II) to improve coordination of employment and training activities with—(aa) child support services, and assistance provided by State and local agencies carrying out part D of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 651 et seq.);(bb) cooperative extension programs carried out by the Department of Agriculture;(cc) programs carried out in local areas for individuals with disabilities, including programs carried out by State agencies relating to intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities, activities carried out by Statewide Independent Living Councils established under section 705 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 796d), programs funded under part B of chapter 1 of title VII of such Act (29 U.S.C. 796e et seq.), and activities carried out by centers for independent living, as defined in section 702 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 796a);(dd) adult education and literacy activities, including those provided by public libraries;(ee) activities in the corrections system that assist ex-offenders in reentering the workforce; and(ff) financial literacy activities including those described in section 3164(b)(2)(D) of this title; and(III) consisting of development and dissemination of workforce and labor market information;

(ix) conducting research and demonstration projects related to meeting the employment and education needs of adult and dislocated workers;

(x) implementing promising services for workers and businesses, which may include providing support for education, training, skill upgrading, and statewide networking for employees to become workplace learning advisors and maintain proficiency in carrying out the activities associated with such advising;

(xi) providing incentive grants to local areas for performance by the local areas on local performance accountability measures described in section 3141(c) of this title;

(xii) adopting, calculating, or commissioning for approval an economic self-sufficiency standard for the State that specifies the income needs of families, by family size, the number and ages of children in the family, and substate geographical considerations;

(xiii) developing and disseminating common intake procedures and related items, including registration processes, materials, or software; and

(xiv) providing technical assistance to local areas that are implementing pay-for-performance contract strategies, which technical assistance may include providing assistance with data collection, meeting data entry requirements, identifying levels of performance, and conducting evaluations of such strategies.

(B) Limitation

(i) In generalOf the funds allotted to a State under sections 3162(b) and 3172(b) of this title and reserved as described in sections 3163(a) and 3173(a)(1) of this title for a fiscal year—(I) not more than 5 percent of the amount allotted under section 3162(b)(1) of this title;(II) not more than 5 percent of the amount allotted under section 3172(b)(1) of this title; and(III) not more than 5 percent of the amount allotted under section 3172(b)(2) of this title,

may be used by the State for the administration of statewide youth workforce investment activities carried out under section 3164 of this title and statewide employment and training activities carried out under this section.

(ii) Use of funds

(b) Local employment and training activitiesFunds allocated to a local area for adults under paragraph (2)(A) or (3), as appropriate, of section 3173(b) of this title, and funds allocated to a local area for dislocated workers under section 3173(b)(2)(B) of this title—

(1) shall be used to carry out employment and training activities described in subsection (c) for adults or dislocated workers, respectively; and

(2) may be used to carry out employment and training activities described in subsection (d) for adults or dislocated workers, respectively.

(1) In general

(A) Allocated fundsFunds allocated to a local area for adults under paragraph (2)(A) or (3), as appropriate, of section 3173(b) of this title, and funds allocated to the local area for dislocated workers under section 3173(b)(2)(B) of this title, shall be used—

(i) to establish a one-stop delivery system described in section 3151(e) of this title;

(ii) to provide the career services described in paragraph (2) to adults and dislocated workers, respectively, through the one-stop delivery system in accordance with such paragraph;

(iii) to provide training services described in paragraph (3) to adults and dislocated workers, respectively, described in such paragraph;

(iv) to establish and develop relationships and networks with large and small employers and their intermediaries; and

(v) to develop, convene, or implement industry or sector partnerships.

(B) Other funds

(2) Career services

(A) Services providedFunds described in paragraph (1) shall be used to provide career services, which shall be available to individuals who are adults or dislocated workers through the one-stop delivery system and shall, at a minimum, include—

(i) determinations of whether the individuals are eligible to receive assistance under this part;

(ii) outreach, intake (which may include worker profiling), and orientation to the information and other services available through the one-stop delivery system;

(iii) initial assessment of skill levels (including literacy, numeracy, and English language proficiency), aptitudes, abilities (including skills gaps), and supportive service needs;

(iv) labor exchange services, including—(I) job search and placement assistance and, in appropriate cases, career counseling, including—(aa) provision of information on in-demand industry sectors and occupations; and(bb) provision of information on nontraditional employment; and(II) appropriate recruitment and other business services on behalf of employers, including small employers, in the local area, which services may include services described in this subsection, such as providing information and referral to specialized business services not traditionally offered through the one-stop delivery system;

(v) provision of referrals to and coordination of activities with other programs and services, including programs and services within the one-stop delivery system and, in appropriate cases, other workforce development programs;

(vi) provision of workforce and labor market employment statistics information, including the provision of accurate information relating to local, regional, and national labor market areas, including—(I) job vacancy listings in such labor market areas;(II) information on job skills necessary to obtain the jobs described in subclause (I); and(III) information relating to local occupations in demand and the earnings, skill requirements, and opportunities for advancement for such occupations; and

(vii) provision of performance information and program cost information on eligible providers of training services as described in section 3152 of this title, provided by program, and eligible providers of youth workforce investment activities described in section 3153 of this title, providers of adult education described in subchapter II, providers of career and technical education activities at the postsecondary level, and career and technical education activities available to out-of-school youth, under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.), and providers of vocational rehabilitation services described in title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 720 et seq.);

(viii) provision of information, in formats that are usable by and understandable to one-stop center customers, regarding how the local area is performing on the local performance accountability measures described in section 3141(c) of this title and any additional performance information with respect to the one-stop delivery system in the local area;

(ix)(I) provision of information, in formats that are usable by and understandable to one-stop center customers, relating to the availability of supportive services or assistance, including child care, child support, medical or child health assistance under title XIX or XXI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. and 1397aa et seq.), benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), assistance through the earned income tax credit under section 32 of title 26, and assistance under a State program for temporary assistance for needy families funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) and other supportive services and transportation provided through funds made available under such part, available in the local area; and(II) referral to the services or assistance described in subclause (I), as appropriate;

(x) provision of information and assistance regarding filing claims for unemployment compensation;

(xi) assistance in establishing eligibility for programs of financial aid assistance for training and education programs that are not funded under this Act;

(xii) services, if determined to be appropriate in order for an individual to obtain or retain employment, that consist of—(I) comprehensive and specialized assessments of the skill levels and service needs of adults and dislocated workers, which may include—(aa) diagnostic testing and use of other assessment tools; and(bb) in-depth interviewing and evaluation to identify employment barriers and appropriate employment goals;(II) development of an individual employment plan, to identify the employment goals, appropriate achievement objectives, and appropriate combination of services for the participant to achieve the employment goals, including providing information on eligible providers of training services pursuant to paragraph (3)(F)(ii), and career pathways to attain career objectives;(III) group counseling;(IV) individual counseling;(V) career planning;(VI) short-term prevocational services, including development of learning skills, communication skills, interviewing skills, punctuality, personal maintenance skills, and professional conduct, to prepare individuals for unsubsidized employment or training;(VII) internships and work experiences that are linked to careers;(VIII) workforce preparation activities;(IX) financial literacy services, such as the activities described in section 3164(b)(2)(D) of this title;(X) out-of-area job search assistance and relocation assistance; or(XI) English language acquisition and integrated education and training programs; and

(xiii) followup services, including counseling regarding the workplace, for participants in workforce investment activities authorized under this part who are placed in unsubsidized employment, for not less than 12 months after the first day of the employment, as appropriate.

(B) Use of previous assessments

(C) Delivery of servicesThe career services described in subparagraph (A) shall be provided through the one-stop delivery system—

(i) directly through one-stop operators identified pursuant to section 3151(d) of this title; or

(ii) through contracts with service providers, which may include contracts with public, private for-profit, and private nonprofit service providers, approved by the local board.

(3) Training services

(A) In general

(i) EligibilityExcept as provided in clause (ii), funds allocated to a local area for adults under paragraph (2)(A) or (3), as appropriate, of section 3173(b) of this title, and funds allocated to the local area for dislocated workers under section 3173(b)(2)(B) of this title, shall be used to provide training services to adults and dislocated workers, respectively—(I) who, after an interview, evaluation, or assessment, and career planning, have been determined by a one-stop operator or one-stop partner, as appropriate, to—(aa) be unlikely or unable to obtain or retain employment, that leads to economic self-sufficiency or wages comparable to or higher than wages from previous employment, through the career services described in paragraph (2)(A)(xii);(bb) be in need of training services to obtain or retain employment that leads to economic self-sufficiency or wages comparable to or higher than wages from previous employment; and(cc) have the skills and qualifications to successfully participate in the selected program of training services;(II) who select programs of training services that are directly linked to the employment opportunities in the local area or the planning region, or in another area to which the adults or dislocated workers are willing to commute or relocate;(III) who meet the requirements of subparagraph (B); and(IV) who are determined to be eligible in accordance with the priority system in effect under subparagraph (E).

(ii) Use of previous assessments

(iii) Rule of construction

(B) Qualification

(i) RequirementNotwithstanding section 479B of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087uu) and except as provided in clause (ii), provision of such training services shall be limited to individuals who—(I) are unable to obtain other grant assistance for such services, including Federal Pell Grants established under subpart 1 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a et seq.); or(II) require assistance beyond the assistance made available under other grant assistance programs, including Federal Pell Grants.

(ii) Reimbursements

(iii) Consideration

(D) Training servicesTraining services may include—

(i) occupational skills training, including training for nontraditional employment;

(ii) on-the-job training;

(iii) incumbent worker training in accordance with subsection (d)(4);

(iv) programs that combine workplace training with related instruction, which may include cooperative education programs;

(v) training programs operated by the private sector;

(vi) skill upgrading and retraining;

(vii) entrepreneurial training;

(viii) transitional jobs in accordance with subsection (d)(5);

(ix) job readiness training provided in combination with services described in any of clauses (i) through (viii);

(x) adult education and literacy activities, including activities of English language acquisition and integrated education and training programs, provided concurrently or in combination with services described in any of clauses (i) through (vii); and

(xi) customized training conducted with a commitment by an employer or group of employers to employ an individual upon successful completion of the training.

(E) Priority

(F) Consumer choice requirements

(i) In general

(ii) Eligible providers

(iii) Individual training accounts

(iv) Coordination

(v) Additional information

(G) Use of individual training accounts

(i) In general

(ii) Training contractsTraining services authorized under this paragraph may be provided pursuant to a contract for services in lieu of an individual training account if—(I) the requirements of subparagraph (F) are met;(II) such services are on-the-job training, customized training, incumbent worker training, or transitional employment;(III) the local board determines there are an insufficient number of eligible providers of training services in the local area involved (such as in a rural area) to accomplish the purposes of a system of individual training accounts;(IV) the local board determines that there is a training services program of demonstrated effectiveness offered in the local area by a community-based organization or another private organization to serve individuals with barriers to employment;(V) the local board determines that—(aa) it would be most appropriate to award a contract to an institution of higher education or other eligible provider of training services in order to facilitate the training of multiple individuals in in-demand industry sectors or occupations; and(bb) such contract does not limit customer choice; or(VI) the contract is a pay-for-performance contract.

(iii) Linkage to occupations in demand

(iv) Rule of construction

(H) Reimbursement for on-the-job training

(i) Reimbursement levelFor purposes of the provision of on-the-job training under this paragraph, the Governor or local board involved may increase the amount of the reimbursement described in section 3102(44) of this title to an amount of up to 75 percent of the wage rate of a participant for a program carried out under subpart 2 or this subpart, if, respectively—(I) the Governor approves the increase with respect to a program carried out with funds reserved by the State under that subpart, taking into account the factors described in clause (ii); or(II) the local board approves the increase with respect to a program carried out with funds allocated to a local area under such subpart, taking into account those factors.

(ii) FactorsFor purposes of clause (i), the Governor or local board, respectively, shall take into account factors consisting of—(I) the characteristics of the participants;(II) the size of the employer;(III) the quality of employer-provided training and advancement opportunities; and(IV) such other factors as the Governor or local board, respectively, may determine to be appropriate, which may include the number of employees participating in the training, wage and benefit levels of those employees (at present and anticipated upon completion of the training), and relation of the training to the competitiveness of a participant.

(d) Permissible local employment and training activities

(1) In general

(A) ActivitiesFunds allocated to a local area for adults under paragraph (2)(A) or (3), as appropriate, of section 3173(b) of this title, and funds allocated to the local area for dislocated workers under section 3173(b)(2)(B) of this title, may be used to provide, through the one-stop delivery system involved (and through collaboration with the local board, for the purpose of the activities described in clauses (vii) and (ix))—

(i) customized screening and referral of qualified participants in training services described in subsection (c)(3) to employers;

(ii) customized employment-related services to employers, employer associations, or other such organizations on a fee-for-service basis;

(iii) implementation of a pay-for-performance contract strategy for training services, for which the local board may reserve and use not more than 10 percent of the total funds allocated to the local area under paragraph (2) or (3) of section 3173(b) of this title;

(iv) customer support to enable individuals with barriers to employment (including individuals with disabilities) and veterans, to navigate among multiple services and activities for such populations;

(v) technical assistance for one-stop operators, one-stop partners, and eligible providers of training services, regarding the provision of services to individuals with disabilities in local areas, including the development and training of staff, the provision of outreach, intake, assessments, and service delivery, the coordination of services across providers and programs, and the development of performance accountability measures;

(vi) employment and training activities provided in coordination with—(I) child support enforcement activities of the State and local agencies carrying out part D of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 651 et seq.);(II) child support services, and assistance, provided by State and local agencies carrying out part D of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 651 et seq.);(III) cooperative extension programs carried out by the Department of Agriculture; and(IV) activities to facilitate remote access to services provided through a one-stop delivery system, including facilitating access through the use of technology;

(vii) activities—(I) to improve coordination between workforce investment activities and economic development activities carried out within the local area involved, and to promote entrepreneurial skills training and microenterprise services;(II) to improve services and linkages between the local workforce investment system (including the local one-stop delivery system) and employers, including small employers, in the local area, through services described in this section; and(III) to strengthen linkages between the one-stop delivery system and unemployment insurance programs;

(viii) training programs for displaced homemakers and for individuals training for nontraditional occupations, in conjunction with programs operated in the local area;

(ix) activities to provide business services and strategies that meet the workforce investment needs of area employers, as determined by the local board, consistent with the local plan under section 3123 of this title, which services—(I) may be provided through effective business intermediaries working in conjunction with the local board, and may also be provided on a fee-for-service basis or through the leveraging of economic development, philanthropic, and other public and private resources in a manner determined appropriate by the local board; and(II) may include—(aa) developing and implementing industry sector strategies (including strategies involving industry partnerships, regional skills alliances, industry skill panels, and sectoral skills partnerships);(bb) developing and delivering innovative workforce investment services and strategies for area employers, which may include career pathways, skills upgrading, skill standard development and certification for recognized postsecondary credential or other employer use, apprenticeship, and other effective initiatives for meeting the workforce investment needs of area employers and workers;(cc) assistance to area employers in managing reductions in force in coordination with rapid response activities provided under subsection (a)(2)(A) and with strategies for the aversion of layoffs, which strategies may include early identification of firms at risk of layoffs, use of feasibility studies to assess the needs of and options for at-risk firms, and the delivery of employment and training activities to address risk factors; and(dd) the marketing of business services offered under this subchapter, to appropriate area employers, including small and mid-sized employers;

(x) activities to adjust the economic self-sufficiency standards referred to in subsection (a)(3)(A)(xii) for local factors, or activities to adopt, calculate, or commission for approval, economic self-sufficiency standards for the local areas that specify the income needs of families, by family size, the number and ages of children in the family, and substate geographical considerations;

(xi) improved coordination between employment and training activities and programs carried out in the local area for individuals with disabilities, including programs carried out by State agencies relating to intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities, activities carried out by Statewide Independent Living Councils established under section 705 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 796d), programs funded under part B of chapter 1 of title VII of such Act (29 U.S.C. 796e et seq.), and activities carried out by centers for independent living, as defined in section 702 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 796a); and

(xii) implementation of promising services to workers and businesses, which may include support for education, training, skill upgrading, and statewide networking for employees to become workplace learning advisors and maintain proficiency in carrying out the activities associated with such advising.

(B) Work support activities for low-wage workers

(i) In general

(ii) Activities

(2) Supportive servicesFunds allocated to a local area for adults under paragraph (2)(A) or (3), as appropriate, of section 3173(b) of this title, and funds allocated to the local area for dislocated workers under section 3173(b)(2)(B) of this title, may be used to provide supportive services to adults and dislocated workers, respectively—

(A) who are participating in programs with activities authorized in paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (c); and

(B) who are unable to obtain such supportive services through other programs providing such services.

(3) Needs-related payments

(A) In general

(B) Additional eligibility requirementsIn addition to the requirements contained in subparagraph (A), a dislocated worker who has ceased to qualify for unemployment compensation may be eligible to receive needs-related payments under this paragraph only if such worker was enrolled in the training services—

(i) by the end of the 13th week after the most recent layoff that resulted in a determination of the worker’s eligibility for employment and training activities for dislocated workers under this part; or

(ii) if later, by the end of the 8th week after the worker is informed that a short-term layoff will exceed 6 months.

(C) Level of paymentsThe level of a needs-related payment made to a dislocated worker under this paragraph shall not exceed the greater of—

(i) the applicable level of unemployment compensation; or

(ii) if such worker did not qualify for unemployment compensation, an amount equal to the poverty line, for an equivalent period, which amount shall be adjusted to reflect changes in total family income.

(4) Incumbent worker training programs

(A) In general

(i) Standard reservation of funds

(ii) Determination of eligibilityFor the purpose of determining the eligibility of an employer to receive funding under clause (i), the local board shall take into account factors consisting of—(I) the characteristics of the participants in the program;(II) the relationship of the training to the competitiveness of a participant and the employer; and(III) such other factors as the local board may determine to be appropriate, which may include the number of employees participating in the training, the wage and benefit levels of those employees (at present and anticipated upon completion of the training), and the existence of other training and advancement opportunities provided by the employer.

(iii) Statewide impact

(B) Training activities

(D) Non-Federal share

(i) Factors

(ii) LimitsThe non-Federal share shall not be less than—(I) 10 percent of the cost, for employers with not more than 50 employees;(II) 25 percent of the cost, for employers with more than 50 employees but not more than 100 employees; and(III) 50 percent of the cost, for employers with more than 100 employees.

(iii) Calculation of employer share

(5) Transitional jobsThe local board may use not more than 10 percent of the funds allocated to the local area involved under section 3173(b) of this title to provide transitional jobs under subsection (c)(3) that—

(A) are time-limited work experiences that are subsidized and are in the public, private, or nonprofit sectors for individuals with barriers to employment who are chronically unemployed or have an inconsistent work history;

(B) are combined with comprehensive employment and supportive services; and

(C) are designed to assist the individuals described in subparagraph (A) to establish a work history, demonstrate success in the workplace, and develop the skills that lead to entry into and retention in unsubsidized employment.

(Pub. L. 113–128, title I, § 134, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1520; Pub. L. 114–18, § 2(e)(3), May 22, 2015, 129 Stat. 214; Pub. L. 115–224, title III, § 303, July 31, 2018, 132 Stat. 1623.)