[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1020 Reported in Senate (RS)]

                                                       Calendar No. 717

103d CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 1020

                          [Report No. 103-401]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

  To promote economic growth and job creation in the United States by 
 facilitating worker involvement in the development and implementation 
of advanced workplace technologies and advanced workplace practices and 
    by identifying and disseminating information on best workplace 
                               practices.

_______________________________________________________________________

            October 5 (legislative day, September 12), 1994

                       Reported with an amendment





                                                       Calendar No. 717
103d CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 1020

                          [Report No. 103-401]

  To promote economic growth and job creation in the United States by 
 facilitating worker involvement in the development and implementation 
of advanced workplace technologies and advanced workplace practices and 
    by identifying and disseminating information on best workplace 
                               practices.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                May 25 (legislative day, April 19), 1993

 Mr. Wofford (for himself, Mr. Kennedy, and Mr. Kerry) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
                       Labor and Human Resources

             October 5 (legislative day, September 12), 1994

               Reported by Mr. Kennedy, with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To promote economic growth and job creation in the United States by 
 facilitating worker involvement in the development and implementation 
of advanced workplace technologies and advanced workplace practices and 
    by identifying and disseminating information on best workplace 
                               practices.

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

-S-E-C-T-I-O-N -1-. -S-H-O-R-T -T-I-T-L-E-.

    -T-h-i-s -A-c-t -m-a-y -b-e -c-i-t-e-d -a-s -t-h-e 
-`-`-W-o-r-k-e-r-s -T-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-y -S-k-i-l-l 
-D-e-v-e-l-o-p-m-e-n-t -A-c-t-'-'-.

-S-E-C-. -2-. -F-I-N-D-I-N-G-S-.

    -C-o-n-g-r-e-s-s -f-i-n-d-s -a-n-d -d-e-c-l-a-r-e-s -t-h-e 
-f-o-l-l-o-w-i-n-g-:
            -(-1-) -I-n -a-n -i-n-c-r-e-a-s-i-n-g-l-y 
        -c-o-m-p-e-t-i-t-i-v-e -w-o-r-l-d -e-c-o-n-o-m-y-, -t-h-e 
        -c-o-m-p-a-n-i-e-s -a-n-d -n-a-t-i-o-n-s -w-h-i-c-h -l-e-a-d 
        -i-n -t-h-e -r-a-p-i-d -d-e-v-e-l-o-p-m-e-n-t-, 
        -c-o-m-m-e-r-c-i-a-l-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-, -a-n-d 
        -a-p-p-l-i-c-a-t-i-o-n -o-f -n-e-w -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-i-e-s-, 
        -a-n-d -i-n -t-h-e -c-o-m-p-e-t-i-t-i-v-e-l-y -p-r-i-c-e-d-, 
        -h-i-g-h---q-u-a-l-i-t-y -p-r-o-d-u-c-t-i-o-n -o-f -g-o-o-d-s 
        -a-n-d -s-e-r-v-i-c-e-s-, -w-i-l-l -l-e-a-d -i-n 
        -e-c-o-n-o-m-i-c -g-r-o-w-t-h-, -e-m-p-l-o-y-m-e-n-t-, -a-n-d 
        -h-i-g-h -l-i-v-i-n-g -s-t-a-n-d-a-r-d-s-.
            -(-2-) -W-h-i-l-e -t-h-e -U-n-i-t-e-d -S-t-a-t-e-s 
        -r-e-m-a-i-n-s -t-h-e -w-o-r-l-d -l-e-a-d-e-r -i-n 
        -s-c-i-e-n-c-e -a-n-d -i-n-v-e-n-t-i-o-n-, -i-t -h-a-s -n-o-t 
        -d-o-n-e -a-s -w-e-l-l -a-s -i-t -s-h-o-u-l-d -i-n 
        -r-a-p-i-d-l-y -m-a-k-i-n-g -t-h-e -t-r-a-n-s-i-t-i-o-n 
        -f-r-o-m -t-h-e -r-e-s-e-a-r-c-h -l-a-b-o-r-a-t-o-r-y -t-o 
        -h-i-g-h---q-u-a-l-i-t-y-, -c-o-m-p-e-t-i-t-i-v-e-l-y 
        -p-r-i-c-e-d -p-r-o-d-u-c-t-i-o-n -o-f -g-o-o-d-s -a-n-d 
        -s-e-r-v-i-c-e-s-. -T-h-i-s -l-a-g -a-n-d -t-h-e 
        -u-n-p-r-e-c-e-d-e-n-t-e-d -c-o-m-p-e-t-i-t-i-v-e 
        -c-h-a-l-l-e-n-g-e -t-h-a-t -t-h-e -N-a-t-i-o-n -h-a-s 
        -f-a-c-e-d -f-r-o-m -a-b-r-o-a-d -h-a-v-e 
        -c-o-n-t-r-i-b-u-t-e-d -t-o -a -d-r-o-p -i-n -r-e-a-l 
        -w-a-g-e-s -a-n-d -l-i-v-i-n-g -s-t-a-n-d-a-r-d-s-.
            -(-3-) -C-o-m-p-a-n-i-e-s -w-h-i-c-h -a-r-e 
        -s-u-c-c-e-s-s-f-u-l-l-y -c-o-m-p-e-t-i-t-i-v-e -i-n -t-h-e 
        -r-a-p-i-d -d-e-v-e-l-o-p-m-e-n-t-, 
        -c-o-m-m-e-r-c-i-a-l-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-, -a-p-p-l-i-c-a-t-i-o-n 
        -a-n-d -i-m-p-l-e-m-e-n-t-a-t-i-o-n -o-f -n-e-w 
        -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-i-e-s -r-e-c-o-g-n-i-z-e -t-h-a-t 
        -w-o-r-k-e-r -p-a-r-t-i-c-i-p-a-t-i-o-n -a-n-d -l-a-b-o-r--
        -m-a-n-a-g-e-m-e-n-t -c-o-o-p-e-r-a-t-i-o-n -i-n -t-h-e 
        -d-e-p-l-o-y-m-e-n-t-, -a-p-p-l-i-c-a-t-i-o-n -a-n-d 
        -i-m-p-l-e-m-e-n-t-a-t-i-o-n -o-f -n-e-w -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e 
        -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-i-e-s -m-a-k-e -a-n -i-m-p-o-r-t-a-n-t 
        -a-n-d -s-i-g-n-i-f-i-c-a-n-t -c-o-n-t-r-i-b-u-t-i-o-n -t-o 
        -c-o-m-p-e-t-i-t-i-v-e-l-y---p-r-i-c-e-d-, -h-i-g-h--
        -q-u-a-l-i-t-y -p-r-o-d-u-c-t-i-o-n -o-f -g-o-o-d-s -a-n-d 
        -s-e-r-v-i-c-e-s -a-n-d -i-n -m-a-i-n-t-a-i-n-i-n-g -a-n-d 
        -i-m-p-r-o-v-i-n-g -r-e-a-l -w-a-g-e-s -f-o-r -w-o-r-k-e-r-s-.
            -(-4-) -T-h-e -F-e-d-e-r-a-l -G-o-v-e-r-n-m-e-n-t -h-a-s 
        -a-n -i-m-p-o-r-t-a-n-t -r-o-l-e -i-n -e-n-c-o-u-r-a-g-i-n-g 
        -a-n-d -a-u-g-m-e-n-t-i-n-g -p-r-i-v-a-t-e -s-e-c-t-o-r 
        -a-c-t-i-v-i-t-i-e-s -r-e-l-a-t-i-n-g -t-o -t-h-e 
        -d-e-v-e-l-o-p-m-e-n-t-, -a-p-p-l-i-c-a-t-i-o-n-, 
        -m-a-n-u-f-a-c-t-u-r-e -a-n-d -d-e-p-l-o-y-m-e-n-t -o-f -n-e-w 
        -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-i-e-s-. -T-h-a-t -r-o-l-e -s-h-o-u-l-d -b-e 
        -t-o---
                    -(-A-) -s-u-p-p-o-r-t -a-n-d -c-o-o-p-e-r-a-t-e 
                -w-i-t-h -s-u-c-h -e-f-f-o-r-t-s-;
                    -(-B-) -w-o-r-k -w-i-t-h -p-r-i-v-a-t-e 
                -c-o-m-p-a-n-i-e-s-, -t-h-e -s-t-a-t-e-s-, -l-a-b-o-r 
                -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-s -a-n-d -o-t-h-e-r 
                -w-o-r-k-e-r -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-s-, -a-n-d 
                -n-o-n-p-r-o-f-i-t -i-n-s-t-i-t-u-t-i-o-n-s -a-n-d 
                -i-n-s-t-i-t-u-t-i-o-n-s -o-f -h-i-g-h-e-r 
                -e-d-u-c-a-t-i-o-n -t-o -e-n-s-u-r-e -t-h-a-t -t-h-e 
                -d-e-v-e-l-o-p-m-e-n-t-, -a-p-p-l-i-c-a-t-i-o-n-, 
                -p-r-o-d-u-c-t-i-o-n-, -a-n-d 
                -i-m-p-l-e-m-e-n-t-a-t-i-o-n -o-f -n-e-w 
                -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-i-e-s -i-s -c-o-n-s-i-s-t-e-n-t 
                -w-i-t-h -t-h-e -i-m-p-r-o-v-e-m-e-n-t -o-f 
                -w-o-r-k-e-r-s-' -s-k-i-l-l-s-, -w-a-g-e-s -a-n-d 
                -w-o-r-k-i-n-g -c-o-n-d-i-t-i-o-n-s-, -a-n-d -a 
                -h-e-a-l-t-h-y -e-n-v-i-r-o-n-m-e-n-t-;
                    -(-C-) -e-n-c-o-u-r-a-g-e -w-o-r-k-e-r 
                -p-a-r-t-i-c-i-p-a-t-i-o-n -i-n -t-h-e 
                -d-e-v-e-l-o-p-m-e-n-t-, 
                -c-o-m-m-e-r-c-i-a-l-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-, 
                -e-v-a-l-u-a-t-i-o-n-, -s-e-l-e-c-t-i-o-n-, 
                -a-p-p-l-i-c-a-t-i-o-n -a-n-d 
                -i-m-p-l-e-m-e-n-t-a-t-i-o-n -o-f -n-e-w 
                -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-i-e-s -i-n -t-h-e 
                -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e-; -a-n-d
                    -(-D-) -p-r-o-m-o-t-e -t-h-e -u-s-e -a-n-d 
                -i-n-t-e-g-r-a-t-i-o-n -o-f -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-i-e-s 
                -i-n -t-h-e -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e -a-s -a 
                -m-e-c-h-a-n-i-s-m -t-o -e-n-h-a-n-c-e -w-o-r-k-e-r-s-' 
                -s-k-i-l-l-s-.
            -(-5-) -I-n -w-o-r-k-i-n-g -w-i-t-h -t-h-e -p-r-i-v-a-t-e 
        -s-e-c-t-o-r -t-o -p-r-o-m-o-t-e -t-h-e 
        -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-i-c-a-l -l-e-a-d-e-r-s-h-i-p -a-n-d 
        -e-c-o-n-o-m-i-c -g-r-o-w-t-h -o-f -t-h-e -U-n-i-t-e-d 
        -S-t-a-t-e-s-, -t-h-e -F-e-d-e-r-a-l -G-o-v-e-r-n-m-e-n-t 
        -h-a-s -a -r-e-s-p-o-n-s-i-b-i-l-i-t-y -t-o -e-n-s-u-r-e 
        -t-h-a-t -F-e-d-e-r-a-l -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-y -p-r-o-g-r-a-m-s 
        -h-e-l-p -m-a-k-e -t-h-e -U-n-i-t-e-d -S-t-a-t-e-s -r-e-m-a-i-n 
        -c-o-m-p-e-t-i-t-i-v-e -w-h-i-l-e -m-a-i-n-t-a-i-n-i-n-g -a-n-d 
        -i-m-p-r-o-v-i-n-g -l-i-v-i-n-g -s-t-a-n-d-a-r-d-s -a-n-d 
        -c-r-e-a-t-i-n-g -a-n-d -r-e-t-a-i-n-i-n-g -s-e-c-u-r-e 
        -d-o-m-e-s-t-i-c -j-o-b-s -i-n -e-c-o-n-o-m-i-c-a-l-l-y 
        -s-t-a-b-l-e -c-o-m-m-u-n-i-t-i-e-s -i-n -t-h-e -U-n-i-t-e-d 
        -S-t-a-t-e-s-.

-S-E-C-. -3-. -P-U-R-P-O-S-E-S-.

    -T-h-e -p-u-r-p-o-s-e -o-f -t-h-i-s -A-c-t -i-s -t-o---
            -(-1-) -i-m-p-r-o-v-e -t-h-e -a-b-i-l-i-t-y -o-f 
        -w-o-r-k-e-r-s-, -l-a-b-o-r -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-s -a-n-d 
        -w-o-r-k-e-r -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-s -t-o 
        -r-e-c-o-g-n-i-z-e-, -d-e-v-e-l-o-p-, -a-s-s-e-s-s-, -a-n-d 
        -i-m-p-r-o-v-e -s-t-r-a-t-e-g-i-e-s -f-o-r 
        -s-u-c-c-e-s-s-f-u-l-l-y -i-n-t-e-g-r-a-t-i-n-g -w-o-r-k-e-r-s 
        -i-n-t-o -t-h-e -p-r-o-c-e-s-s -o-f -e-v-a-l-u-a-t-i-n-g-, 
        -s-e-l-e-c-t-i-n-g -a-n-d -i-m-p-l-e-m-e-n-t-i-n-g -n-e-w 
        -a-n-d -a-d-v-a-n-c-e-d -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e 
        -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-i-e-s-, -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e 
        -p-r-a-c-t-i-c-e-s -a-n-d -f-o-r-m-s -o-f -w-o-r-k 
        -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-; -a-n-d
            -(-2-) -d-e-v-e-l-o-p -r-e-s-o-u-r-c-e-s -w-i-t-h-i-n 
        -l-a-b-o-r -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-s-, -e-d-u-c-a-t-i-o-n-a-l 
        -i-n-s-t-i-t-u-t-i-o-n-s -a-n-d -o-t-h-e-r -n-o-n-p-r-o-f-i-t 
        -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-s -w-h-i-c-h -w-i-l-l -a-s-s-i-s-t 
        -w-o-r-k-e-r-s-, -l-a-b-o-r -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-s -a-n-d 
        -w-o-r-k-e-r -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-s -i-n 
        -d-e-v-e-l-o-p-i-n-g -t-h-e -e-x-p-e-r-t-i-s-e 
        -n-e-c-e-s-s-a-r-y -f-o-r -e-f-f-e-c-t-i-v-e 
        -p-a-r-t-i-c-i-p-a-t-i-o-n -w-i-t-h -e-m-p-l-o-y-e-r-s -i-n 
        -t-h-e -d-e-v-e-l-o-p-m-e-n-t -o-f -s-t-r-a-t-e-g-i-e-s -a-n-d 
        -p-r-o-g-r-a-m-s -f-o-r -t-h-e -s-u-c-c-e-s-s-f-u-l 
        -e-v-a-l-u-a-t-i-o-n-, -s-e-l-e-c-t-i-o-n -a-n-d 
        -i-m-p-l-e-m-e-n-t-a-t-i-o-n -o-f -n-e-w -a-n-d 
        -a-d-v-a-n-c-e-d -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-i-e-s 
        -a-n-d -a-d-v-a-n-c-e-d -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e -p-r-a-c-t-i-c-e-s 
        -a-n-d -f-o-r-m-s -o-f -w-o-r-k -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n 
        -t-h-r-o-u-g-h -t-h-e -p-r-o-v-i-s-i-o-n -o-f -a -r-a-n-g-e 
        -o-f -e-d-u-c-a-t-i-o-n-, -t-r-a-i-n-i-n-g -a-n-d 
        -r-e-l-a-t-e-d -s-e-r-v-i-c-e-s-.

-S-E-C-. -4-. -D-E-F-I-N-I-T-I-O-N-S-.

    -A-s -u-s-e-d -i-n -t-h-i-s -A-c-t---
            -(-1-) -t-h-e -t-e-r-m -`-`-D-e-p-a-r-t-m-e-n-t-'-' 
        -m-e-a-n-s -t-h-e -D-e-p-a-r-t-m-e-n-t -o-f -L-a-b-o-r-;
            -(-2-) -t-h-e -t-e-r-m -`-`-S-e-c-r-e-t-a-r-y-'-' 
        -m-e-a-n-s -t-h-e -S-e-c-r-e-t-a-r-y -o-f -L-a-b-o-r-;
            -(-3-) -t-h-e -t-e-r-m -`-`-w-o-r-k-e-r 
        -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-'-' -m-e-a-n-s -a-n 
        -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n -c-o-m-p-o-s-e-d -o-f 
        -n-o-n-s-u-p-e-r-v-i-s-o-r-y -a-n-d -n-o-n-m-a-n-a-g-e-r-i-a-l 
        -w-o-r-k-e-r-s -w-h-o-s-e -r-e-p-r-e-s-e-n-t-a-t-i-v-e-s -a-r-e 
        -d-e-m-o-c-r-a-t-i-c-a-l-l-y -s-e-l-e-c-t-e-d -b-y 
        -w-o-r-k-e-r-s-;
            -(-4-) -t-h-e -t-e-r-m -`-`-a-d-v-a-n-c-e-d 
        -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-i-e-s-'-' 
        -i-n-c-l-u-d-i-n-g---
                    -(-A-) -e-q-u-i-p-m-e-n-t-, -s-y-s-t-e-m-s -a-n-d 
                -p-r-o-c-e-s-s -d-e-s-i-g-n-e-d -t-o -e-n-h-a-n-c-e 
                -q-u-a-l-i-t-y-, -p-r-o-d-u-c-t-i-v-i-t-y-, 
                -f-l-e-x-i-b-i-l-i-t-y-, -e-n-v-i-r-o-n-m-e-n-t-a-l 
                -q-u-a-l-i-t-y-, -a-n-d -e-n-e-r-g-y 
                -e-f-f-i-c-i-e-n-c-y -w-h-i-l-e -e-n-h-a-n-c-i-n-g 
                -w-o-r-k-e-r -s-k-i-l-l-s -a-n-d -a-u-t-o-n-o-m-y -i-n 
                -t-h-e -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e-; -a-n-d
                    -(-B-) -n-e-w -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-i-e-s -s-u-c-h 
                -a-s -s-k-i-l-l---b-a-s-e-d-, -s-k-i-l-l--
                -e-n-h-a-n-c-i-n-g -c-o-m-p-u-t-e-r---, 
                -n-e-t-w-o-r-k---, -a-n-d 
                -m-i-c-r-o-p-r-o-c-e-s-s-o-r---b-a-s-e-d 
                -p-r-o-d-u-c-t-i-o-n -s-y-s-t-e-m-s-; -w-o-r-k-e-r--
                -f-r-i-e-n-d-l-y -s-o-f-t-w-a-r-e -c-o-n-t-r-o-l -a-n-d 
                -i-n-f-o-r-m-a-t-i-o-n -s-y-s-t-e-m-s-; -w-o-r-k-e-r--
                -o-p-e-r-a-t-e-d -r-a-p-i-d 
                -c-o-m-m-u-n-i-c-a-t-i-o-n-s -s-y-s-t-e-m-s 
                -l-i-n-k-i-n-g -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e-s-, 
                -c-u-s-t-o-m-e-r-s -a-n-d -s-u-p-p-l-i-e-r-s-; 
                -r-e-m-o-t-e -s-e-n-s-o-r -a-n-d -o-p-e-r-a-t-i-o-n-s 
                -c-o-n-t-r-o-l -s-y-s-t-e-m-s -a-l-l-o-w-i-n-g 
                -o-p-e-r-a-t-o-r-s -t-o -a-p-p-l-y -t-h-e-i-r 
                -k-n-o-w-l-e-d-g-e -a-n-d -j-u-d-g-m-e-n-t -t-o 
                -c-o-m-p-l-e-x -p-r-o-d-u-c-t-i-o-n 
                -a-c-t-i-v-i-t-i-e-s-;
            -(-5-) -t-h-e -t-e-r-m -`-`-a-d-v-a-n-c-e-d 
        -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e -p-r-a-c-t-i-c-e-s-'-' -m-e-a-n-s 
        -i-n-n-o-v-a-t-i-o-n-s -i-n -h-i-g-h---s-k-i-l-l-, -h-i-g-h--
        -p-e-r-f-o-r-m-a-n-c-e -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e -s-y-s-t-e-m-s 
        -t-h-a-t -b-u-i-l-d -o-n -w-o-r-k-e-r 
        -p-a-r-t-i-c-i-p-a-t-i-o-n -i-n -t-h-e -e-v-a-l-u-a-t-i-o-n-, 
        -s-e-l-e-c-t-i-o-n-, -d-e-v-e-l-o-p-m-e-n-t -a-n-d 
        -i-m-p-l-e-m-e-n-t-a-t-i-o-n -o-f -n-e-w -a-n-d 
        -a-d-v-a-n-c-e-d -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-i-e-s 
        -a-n-d -f-o-r-m-s -o-f -w-o-r-k -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-, 
        -i-n-c-l-u-d-i-n-g -w-o-r-k-e-r -p-a-r-t-i-c-i-p-a-t-i-o-n -i-n 
        -c-r-o-s-s---f-u-n-c-t-i-o-n-a-l -t-e-a-m-s -f-o-r 
        -c-o-n-c-u-r-r-e-n-t -e-n-g-i-n-e-e-r-i-n-g -o-f -n-e-w 
        -p-r-o-d-u-c-t-s -a-n-d -p-r-o-d-u-c-t-i-o-n -s-y-s-t-e-m-s-; 
        -p-a-r-t-i-c-i-p-a-t-i-v-e -a-s-s-e-s-s-m-e-n-t -a-n-d 
        -d-e-v-e-l-o-p-m-e-n-t -o-f -s-t-r-a-t-e-g-i-e-s -t-o 
        -e-n-h-a-n-c-e -c-o-m-p-e-t-i-t-i-v-e-n-e-s-s -a-n-d 
        -a-d-v-a-n-c-e-m-e-n-t-s -i-n -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-y-, -w-o-r-k 
        -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n -j-o-b -d-e-s-i-g-n -a-n-d 
        -s-k-i-l-l-s-; -c-o-m-m-i-t-m-e-n-t -t-o -c-o-n-t-i-n-u-o-u-s 
        -l-e-a-r-n-i-n-g -a-n-d -s-k-i-l-l -u-p-g-r-a-d-i-n-g-; 
        -m-u-l-t-i---s-k-i-l-l-i-n-g-; -t-o-t-a-l -q-u-a-l-i-t-y -a-n-d 
        -c-o-n-t-i-n-u-o-u-s -i-m-p-r-o-v-e-m-e-n-t -p-r-o-g-r-a-m-s 
        -b-a-s-e-d -o-n -a -p-a-r-t-n-e-r-s-h-i-p -b-e-t-w-e-e-n 
        -w-o-r-k-e-r-s -a-n-d -m-a-n-a-g-e-m-e-n-t-; -a-n-d 
        -d-e-s-i-g-n -o-f -p-r-o-d-u-c-t-i-o-n -s-y-s-t-e-m-s -t-h-a-t 
        -m-a-x-i-m-i-z-e -e-n-e-r-g-y -e-f-f-i-c-i-e-n-c-y-, 
        -e-n-v-i-r-o-n-m-e-n-t-a-l -q-u-a-l-i-t-y -a-n-d 
        -r-e-c-y-c-l-a-b-i-l-i-t-y -a-n-d -p-a-r-t-s -r-e-u-s-e-; 
        -a-n-d
            -(-6-) -t-h-e -t-e-r-m -`-`-a-d-v-a-n-c-e-d -f-o-r-m-s -o-f 
        -w-o-r-k -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-'-' -m-e-a-n-s -w-a-y -o-f 
        -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-i-n-g -p-r-o-d-u-c-t-i-o-n 
        -a-c-t-i-v-i-t-i-e-s-, -j-o-b -a-n-d -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e 
        -d-e-c-i-s-i-o-n-m-a-k-i-n-g -s-y-s-t-e-m-s -t-o -t-a-k-e 
        -f-u-l-l -a-d-v-a-n-t-a-g-e -o-f -w-o-r-k-e-r-s-' 
        -s-k-i-l-l-s-, -k-n-o-w-l-e-d-g-e -a-n-d -j-u-d-g-m-e-n-t-, 
        -i-n-c-l-u-d-i-n-g -h-o-r-i-z-o-n-t-a-l 
        -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n -h-i-e-r-a-r-c-h-i-e-s -w-i-t-h 
        -e-x-p-a-n-d-e-d -r-e-s-p-o-n-s-i-b-i-l-i-t-y -a-n-d 
        -a-u-t-o-n-o-m-y -f-o-r -f-r-o-n-t---l-i-n-e -w-o-r-k-e-r-s-; 
        -a-u-t-o-n-o-m-o-u-s -w-o-r-k -t-e-a-m-s -e-m-p-o-w-e-r-e-d 
        -t-o -w-o-r-k -d-i-r-e-c-t-l-y -w-i-t-h -c-u-s-t-o-m-e-r-s 
        -a-n-d -s-u-p-p-l-i-e-r-s-; -j-o-b-s -t-h-a-t -a-r-e 
        -r-e-d-e-s-i-g-n-e-d -t-o -e-x-p-a-n-d -s-k-i-l-l -a-n-d 
        -c-a-p-i-t-a-l-i-z-e -o-n -p-r-e-v-i-o-u-s -w-o-r-k-e-r 
        -k-n-o-w-l-e-d-g-e -a-n-d -e-x-p-e-r-i-e-n-c-e-; -a-n-d 
        -w-o-r-k -s-y-s-t-e-m-s -b-u-i-l-t -i-n -o-n-g-o-i-n-g 
        -i-n-v-e-s-t-m-e-n-t-s -i-n -n-e-w -a-n-d -e-x-p-a-n-d-e-d 
        -w-o-r-k-e-r -s-k-i-l-l-s-.

-S-E-C-. -5-. -G-R-A-N-T-S-.

    -(-a-) -I-n -G-e-n-e-r-a-l-.---T-h-e -S-e-c-r-e-t-a-r-y -o-f 
-L-a-b-o-r-, -a-f-t-e-r -c-o-n-s-u-l-t-a-t-i-o-n -w-i-t-h -t-h-e 
-S-e-c-r-e-t-a-r-y -o-f -C-o-m-m-e-r-c-e-, -s-h-a-l-l-, -t-o -t-h-e 
-e-x-t-e-n-t -a-p-p-r-o-p-r-i-a-t-i-o-n-s -a-r-e -a-v-a-i-l-a-b-l-e-, 
-a-w-a-r-d -g-r-a-n-t-s -t-o -e-l-i-g-i-b-l-e -e-n-t-i-t-i-e-s -t-o 
-s-u-p-p-o-r-t -t-h-e -p-u-r-p-o-s-e -o-f -t-h-i-s -A-c-t -a-s 
-s-t-a-t-e-d -i-n -s-e-c-t-i-o-n -3-.
    -(-b-) -E-l-i-g-i-b-i-l-i-t-y-.---T-o -b-e -e-l-i-g-i-b-l-e -t-o 
-r-e-c-e-i-v-e -a -g-r-a-n-t -u-n-d-e-r -t-h-i-s -s-e-c-t-i-o-n-, -a-n 
-e-n-t-i-t-y -s-h-a-l-l---
            -(-1-) -b-e -a -p-o-s-t---s-e-c-o-n-d-a-r-y 
        -e-d-u-c-a-t-i-o-n-a-l -i-n-s-t-i-t-u-t-i-o-n-, -a -l-a-b-o-r 
        -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-, -a -w-o-r-k-e-r 
        -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-, -a -n-o-n-p-r-o-f-i-t 
        -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n -o-r -a -p-a-r-t-n-e-r-s-h-i-p 
        -c-o-n-s-o-r-t-i-u-m -o-f -s-u-c-h -e-n-t-i-t-i-e-s-;
            -(-2-) -p-r-e-p-a-r-e -a-n-d -s-u-b-m-i-t -t-o -t-h-e 
        -S-e-c-r-e-t-a-r-y -a-n -a-p-p-l-i-c-a-t-i-o-n -a-t -s-u-c-h 
        -t-i-m-e-, -i-n -s-u-c-h -m-a-n-n-e-r -a-n-d 
        -c-o-n-t-a-i-n-i-n-g -s-u-c-h -i-n-f-o-r-m-a-t-i-o-n -a-s 
        -t-h-e -S-e-c-r-e-t-a-r-y -m-a-y -r-e-q-u-i-r-e-, 
        -i-n-c-l-u-d-i-n-g -a -d-e-s-c-r-i-p-t-i-o-n -o-f -t-h-e 
        -a-c-t-i-v-i-t-i-e-s -t-h-a-t -t-h-e -e-n-t-i-t-y -w-i-l-l 
        -c-a-r-r-y -o-u-t -u-s-i-n-g -a-m-o-u-n-t-s -r-e-c-e-i-v-e-d 
        -u-n-d-e-r -t-h-e -g-r-a-n-t-; -a-n-d
            -(-3-) -a-g-r-e-e -t-o -m-a-k-e -a-v-a-i-l-a-b-l-e 
        -(-d-i-r-e-c-t-l-y -o-r -t-h-r-o-u-g-h -d-o-n-a-t-i-o-n-s 
        -f-r-o-m -p-u-b-l-i-c -o-r -p-r-i-v-a-t-e -e-n-t-i-t-i-e-s-) 
        -n-o-n---F-e-d-e-r-a-l -c-o-n-t-r-i-b-u-t-i-o-n-s -t-o-w-a-r-d 
        -t-h-e -c-o-s-t-s -o-f -t-h-e -a-c-t-i-v-i-t-i-e-s -t-o -b-e 
        -c-o-n-d-u-c-t-e-d -w-i-t-h -g-r-a-n-t -f-u-n-d-s-, -i-n -a-n 
        -a-m-o-u-n-t -e-q-u-a-l -t-o -t-h-e -a-m-o-u-n-t 
        -r-e-q-u-i-r-e-d -u-n-d-e-r -s-u-b-s-e-c-t-i-o-n -(-d-) -o-f 
        -t-h-i-s -s-e-c-t-i-o-n-.
    -(-c-) -U-s-e -o-f -A-m-o-u-n-t-s-.---A-n -e-n-t-i-t-y -s-h-a-l-l 
-u-s-e -a-m-o-u-n-t-s -r-e-c-e-i-v-e-d -u-n-d-e-r -a -g-r-a-n-t 
-a-w-a-r-d-e-d -u-n-d-e-r -t-h-i-s -s-e-c-t-i-o-n -t-o -f-u-r-t-h-e-r 
-t-h-e -p-u-r-p-o-s-e-s -d-e-s-c-r-i-b-e-d -i-n -s-e-c-t-i-o-n -3 -i-n 
-t-h-e -t-h-r-o-u-g-h -a-c-t-i-v-i-t-i-e-s -s-u-c-h -a-s---
            -(-1-) -t-h-e -d-i-s-s-e-m-i-n-a-t-i-o-n -o-f 
        -i-n-f-o-r-m-a-t-i-o-n -t-o -e-m-p-l-o-y-e-r-s-, -l-a-b-o-r 
        -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-s-, -w-o-r-k-e-r-s-, -w-o-r-k-e-r 
        -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-s-, -S-t-a-t-e -e-c-o-n-o-m-i-c 
        -d-e-v-e-l-o-p-m-e-n-t -a-g-e-n-c-i-e-s-, -S-t-a-t-e 
        -i-n-d-u-s-t-r-i-a-l -e-x-t-e-n-s-i-o-n -p-r-o-g-r-a-m-s-, 
        -A-d-v-a-n-c-e-d -T-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-y -C-e-n-t-e-r-s-, -a-n-d 
        -N-a-t-i-o-n-a-l -M-a-n-u-f-a-c-t-u-r-i-n-g 
        -T-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-y -C-e-n-t-e-r-s -r-e-g-a-r-d-i-n-g 
        -s-u-c-c-e-s-s-f-u-l -p-r-a-c-t-i-c-e-s -r-e-l-a-t-i-n-g -t-o 
        -t-h-e -e-f-f-e-c-t-i-v-e -d-e-p-l-o-y-m-e-n-t -o-f -n-e-w 
        -a-n-d -a-d-v-a-n-c-e-d -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e 
        -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-i-e-s-, -a-d-v-a-n-c-e-d -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e 
        -p-r-a-c-t-i-c-e-s -a-n-d -f-o-r-m-s -o-f -w-o-r-k 
        -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-;
            -(-2-) -t-h-e -p-r-o-v-i-s-i-o-n -o-f -t-e-c-h-n-i-c-a-l 
        -a-s-s-i-s-t-a-n-c-e -t-o -e-n-a-b-l-e -w-o-r-k-e-r-s-, 
        -l-a-b-o-r -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-s-, -w-o-r-k-e-r 
        -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-s-, -e-m-p-l-o-y-e-r-s-, -S-t-a-t-e 
        -e-c-o-n-o-m-i-c -d-e-v-e-l-o-p-m-e-n-t -a-g-e-n-c-i-e-s-, 
        -S-t-a-t-e -i-n-d-u-s-t-r-i-a-l -e-x-t-e-n-s-i-o-n 
        -p-r-o-g-r-a-m-s-, -A-d-v-a-n-c-e-d -T-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-y 
        -C-e-n-t-e-r-s-, -a-n-d -N-a-t-i-o-n-a-l 
        -M-a-n-u-f-a-c-t-u-r-i-n-g -T-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-y -C-e-n-t-e-r-s 
        -t-o -i-d-e-n-t-i-f-y -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e -p-r-a-c-t-i-c-e-s-, 
        -f-o-r-m-s -o-f -w-o-r-k -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n -a-n-d 
        -s-t-r-a-t-e-g-i-e-s -w-h-i-c-h -e-n-h-a-n-c-e -t-h-e 
        -e-f-f-e-c-t-i-v-e -e-v-a-l-u-a-t-i-o-n-, -s-e-l-e-c-t-i-o-n 
        -a-n-d -i-m-p-l-e-m-e-n-t-a-t-i-o-n -o-f -n-e-w 
        -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-i-e-s-;
            -(-3-) -t-h-e -p-r-o-v-i-s-i-o-n -o-f -t-e-c-h-n-i-c-a-l 
        -a-s-s-i-s-t-a-n-c-e -t-o -e-n-a-b-l-e -w-o-r-k-e-r-s-, 
        -l-a-b-o-r -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-s-, -w-o-r-k-e-r 
        -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-s-, -e-m-p-l-o-y-e-r-s-, -S-t-a-t-e 
        -e-c-o-n-o-m-i-c -d-e-v-e-l-o-p-m-e-n-t -a-g-e-n-c-i-e-s-, 
        -S-t-a-t-e -i-n-d-u-s-t-r-i-a-l -e-x-t-e-n-s-i-o-n 
        -p-r-o-g-r-a-m-s-, -A-d-v-a-n-c-e-d -T-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-y 
        -C-e-n-t-e-r-s-, -a-n-d -N-a-t-i-o-n-a-l 
        -M-a-n-u-f-a-c-t-u-r-i-n-g -T-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-y -C-e-n-t-e-r-s 
        -t-o -d-e-v-e-l-o-p -a-n-d -i-m-p-l-e-m-e-n-t 
        -c-o-o-p-e-r-a-t-i-v-e -l-a-b-o-r---m-a-n-a-g-e-m-e-n-t 
        -p-r-o-g-r-a-m-s -w-h-i-c-h -a-d-d-r-e-s-s -t-h-e 
        -e-v-a-l-u-a-t-i-o-n-, -s-e-l-e-c-t-i-o-n -a-n-d 
        -i-m-p-l-e-m-e-n-t-s -i-m-p-l-e-m-e-n-t-a-t-i-o-n -o-f -n-e-w 
        -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-i-e-s -i-n -t-h-e -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e-;
            -(-4-) -t-h-e -i-d-e-n-t-i-f-i-c-a-t-i-o-n -o-f -n-e-w 
        -a-n-d -a-d-v-a-n-c-e-d -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e 
        -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-i-e-s-, -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e 
        -p-r-a-c-t-i-c-e-s -a-n-d -f-o-r-m-s -o-f -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e 
        -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n -w-h-i-c-h -p-r-o-m-o-t-e -t-h-e 
        -i-m-p-r-o-v-e-m-e-n-t -o-f -w-o-r-k-e-r-s-' -s-k-i-l-l-s-, 
        -w-a-g-e-s -a-n-d -w-o-r-k-i-n-g -c-o-n-d-i-t-i-o-n-s -a-n-d 
        -a-r-e -c-o-n-s-i-s-t-e-n-t -t-o -t-h-e -n-e-e-d-s -o-f 
        -l-o-c-a-l -c-o-m-m-u-n-i-t-i-e-s -a-n-d -a -h-e-a-l-t-h-y 
        -e-n-v-i-r-o-n-m-e-n-t-;
            -(-5-) -t-h-e -d-e-v-e-l-o-p-m-e-n-t -a-n-d 
        -d-i-s-s-e-m-i-n-a-t-i-o-n -o-f -t-r-a-i-n-i-n-g 
        -p-r-o-g-r-a-m-s -a-n-d -m-a-t-e-r-i-a-l-s -r-e-l-a-t-i-n-g 
        -t-o -t-h-e -s-e-r-v-i-c-e-s -p-r-o-v-i-d-e-d -p-u-r-s-u-a-n-t 
        -t-o -p-a-r-a-g-r-a-p-h-s -(-1-) -t-h-r-o-u-g-h -(-4-) 
        -a-b-o-v-e-;
    -(-d-) -T-e-r-m-s -o-f -G-r-a-n-t-s -a-n-d -N-o-n---F-e-d-e-r-a-l 
-S-h-a-r-e-s-.--
            -(-1-) -T-e-r-m-s-.---G-r-a-n-t-s -a-w-a-r-d-e-d -u-n-d-e-r 
        -t-h-i-s -s-e-c-t-i-o-n -s-h-a-l-l -b-e -f-o-r -a -t-e-r-m 
        -n-o-t -t-o -e-x-c-e-e-d -s-i-x -y-e-a-r-s-.
            -(-2-) -N-o-n---F-e-d-e-r-a-l -S-h-a-r-e-.---A-m-o-u-n-t-s 
        -r-e-q-u-i-r-e-d -t-o -b-e -c-o-n-t-r-i-b-u-t-e-d -b-y -a-n 
        -e-n-t-i-t-y -u-n-d-e-r -s-u-b-s-e-c-t-i-o-n -(-b-)-(-3-) 
        -s-h-a-l-l -e-q-u-a-l---
                    -(-A-) -a-n -a-m-o-u-n-t -e-q-u-a-l -t-o -1-5 
                -p-e-r-c-e-n-t -o-f -t-h-e -a-m-o-u-n-t 
                -p-r-o-v-i-d-e-d -u-n-d-e-r -t-h-e -g-r-a-n-t -i-n 
                -t-h-e -f-i-r-s-t -y-e-a-r -f-o-r -w-h-i-c-h -t-h-e 
                -g-r-a-n-t -i-s -a-w-a-r-d-e-d-;
                    -(-B-) -a-n -a-m-o-u-n-t -e-q-u-a-l -t-o -2-0 
                -p-e-r-c-e-n-t -o-f -t-h-e -a-m-o-u-n-t 
                -p-r-o-v-i-d-e-d -u-n-d-e-r -t-h-e -g-r-a-n-t -i-n 
                -t-h-e -s-e-c-o-n-d -y-e-a-r -f-o-r -w-h-i-c-h -t-h-e 
                -g-r-a-n-t -i-s -a-w-a-r-d-e-d-;
                    -(-C-) -a-n -a-m-o-u-n-t -e-q-u-a-l -t-o -3-3 
                -p-e-r-c-e-n-t -o-f -t-h-e -a-m-o-u-n-t 
                -p-r-o-v-i-d-e-d -u-n-d-e-r -t-h-e -g-r-a-n-t -i-n 
                -t-h-e -t-h-i-r-d -y-e-a-r -f-o-r -w-h-i-c-h -t-h-e 
                -g-r-a-n-t -i-s -a-w-a-r-d-e-d-;
                    -(-D-) -a-n -a-m-o-u-n-t -e-q-u-a-l -t-o -4-0 
                -p-e-r-c-e-n-t -o-f -t-h-e -a-m-o-u-n-t 
                -p-r-o-v-i-d-e-d -u-n-d-e-r -t-h-e -g-r-a-n-t -i-n 
                -t-h-e -f-o-u-r-t-h -y-e-a-r -f-o-r -w-h-i-c-h -t-h-e 
                -g-r-a-n-t -i-s -a-w-a-r-d-e-d-; -a-n-d
                    -(-E-) -a-n -a-m-o-u-n-t -e-q-u-a-l -t-o -5-0 
                -p-e-r-c-e-n-t -o-f -t-h-e -a-m-o-u-n-t 
                -p-r-o-v-i-d-e-d -u-n-d-e-r -t-h-e -g-r-a-n-t -i-n 
                -t-h-e -f-i-f-t-h -a-n-d -s-i-x-t-h -y-e-a-r-s -f-o-r 
                -w-h-i-c-h -t-h-e -g-r-a-n-t -i-s -a-w-a-r-d-e-d-.
    -(-e-) -E-v-a-l-u-a-t-i-o-n-.---T-h-e -D-e-p-a-r-t-m-e-n-t 
-s-h-a-l-l -d-e-v-e-l-o-p -m-e-c-h-a-n-i-s-m-s -f-o-r 
-e-v-a-l-u-a-t-i-n-g -t-h-e -e-f-f-e-c-t-i-v-e-n-e-s-s -o-f -t-h-e 
-u-s-e -o-f -a -g-r-a-n-t -a-w-a-r-d-e-d -u-n-d-e-r -t-h-i-s 
-s-e-c-t-i-o-n-.

-S-E-C-. -6-. -I-D-E-N-T-I-F-I-C-A-T-I-O-N -A-N-D 
              -D-I-S-S-E-M-I-N-A-T-I-O-N -O-F -B-E-S-T 
              -P-R-A-C-T-I-C-E-S-.

    -(-a-) -I-n -G-e-n-e-r-a-l-.--
            -(-1-) -T-h-e -S-e-c-r-e-t-a-r-y-, -i-n 
        -c-o-o-p-e-r-a-t-i-o-n -a-n-d -a-f-t-e-r 
        -c-o-n-s-u-l-t-a-t-i-o-n -w-i-t-h -t-h-e -S-e-c-r-e-t-a-r-y 
        -o-f -C-o-m-m-e-r-c-e-, -s-h-a-l-l -a-s-s-i-s-t 
        -e-m-p-l-o-y-e-r-s-, -e-m-p-l-o-y-e-r 
        -a-s-s-o-c-i-a-t-i-o-n-s-, -w-o-r-k-e-r-s-, -l-a-b-o-r 
        -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-s -a-n-d -w-o-r-k-e-r 
        -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-s -i-n -s-u-c-c-e-s-s-f-u-l-l-y 
        -a-d-o-p-t-i-n-g -a-d-v-a-n-c-e-d -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e 
        -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-i-e-s-, -a-d-v-a-n-c-e-d -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e 
        -p-r-a-c-t-i-c-e-s -a-n-d -a-d-v-a-n-c-e-d -f-o-r-m-s -o-f 
        -w-o-r-k -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n -b-y -i-d-e-n-t-i-f-y-i-n-g-, 
        -c-o-l-l-e-c-t-i-n-g -a-n-d -d-i-s-s-e-m-i-n-a-t-i-n-g 
        -i-n-f-o-r-m-a-t-i-o-n -o-n -b-e-s-t -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e 
        -p-r-a-c-t-i-c-e-s -a-n-d -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e 
        -a-s-s-e-s-s-m-e-n-t -t-o-o-l-s-, -i-n-c-l-u-d-i-n-g---
                    -(-A-) -m-e-t-h-o-d-s-, -t-e-c-h-n-i-q-u-e-s -a-n-d 
                -s-u-c-c-e-s-s-f-u-l -m-o-d-e-l-s -o-f -l-a-b-o-r--
                -m-a-n-a-g-e-m-e-n-t -c-o-o-p-e-r-a-t-i-o-n -a-n-d 
                -w-o-r-k-e-r -p-a-r-t-i-c-i-p-a-t-i-o-n -i-n -t-h-e 
                -d-e-v-e-l-o-p-m-e-n-t-, -e-v-a-l-u-a-t-i-o-n-, 
                -s-e-l-e-c-t-i-o-n -a-n-d -i-m-p-l-e-m-e-n-t-a-t-i-o-n 
                -o-f -n-e-w -a-n-d -a-d-v-a-n-c-e-d -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e 
                -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-i-e-s-, -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e 
                -p-r-a-c-t-i-c-e-s-, -a-n-d -n-e-w -f-o-r-m-s -o-f 
                -w-o-r-k -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-;
                    -(-B-) -m-e-t-h-o-d-s-, -t-e-c-h-n-i-q-u-e-s -a-n-d 
                -s-u-c-c-e-s-s-f-u-l -m-o-d-e-l-s -f-o-r -t-h-e 
                -d-e-s-i-g-n -a-n-d -i-m-p-l-e-m-e-n-t-a-t-i-o-n -o-f 
                -n-e-w -a-n-d -a-d-v-a-n-c-e-d -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e 
                -p-r-a-c-t-i-c-e-s-;
                    -(-C-) -m-e-t-h-o-d-s-, -t-e-c-h-n-i-q-u-e-s -a-n-d 
                -s-u-c-c-e-s-s-f-u-l -m-o-d-e-l-s -f-o-r -t-h-e 
                -d-e-s-i-g-n -a-n-d -i-m-p-l-e-m-e-n-t-a-t-i-o-n -o-f 
                -n-e-w -f-o-r-m-s -o-f -w-o-r-k 
                -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-; -a-n-d
                    -(-D-) -m-e-t-h-o-d-s-, -t-e-c-h-n-i-q-u-e-s -a-n-d 
                -s-u-c-c-e-s-s-f-u-l -m-o-d-e-l-s -f-o-r -t-h-e 
                -a-s-s-e-s-s-m-e-n-t -o-f -w-o-r-k-e-r -s-k-i-l-l-s 
                -a-n-d -t-r-a-i-n-i-n-g -n-e-e-d-s -r-e-l-a-t-i-n-g 
                -t-o -t-h-e -e-f-f-e-c-t-i-v-e -d-e-v-e-l-o-p-m-e-n-t-, 
                -e-v-a-l-u-a-t-i-o-n-, -s-e-l-e-c-t-i-o-n -a-n-d 
                -i-m-p-l-e-m-e-n-t-a-t-i-o-n -o-f -n-e-w -a-n-d 
                -a-d-v-a-n-c-e-d -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e 
                -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-i-e-s-, -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e 
                -p-r-a-c-t-i-c-e-s -a-n-d -f-o-r-m-s -o-f -w-o-r-k 
                -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-.
            -(-2-) -S-u-c-h -b-e-s-t -p-r-a-c-t-i-c-e 
        -i-n-f-o-r-m-a-t-i-o-n -s-h-a-l-l -i-n-c-l-u-d-e 
        -s-u-m-m-a-r-i-e-s -a-n-d -a-n-a-l-y-s-e-s -o-f -b-e-s-t 
        -p-r-a-c-t-i-c-e -c-a-s-e-s-, -c-r-i-t-e-r-i-a -f-o-r 
        -a-s-s-e-s-s-m-e-n-t -o-f -c-u-r-r-e-n-t -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e 
        -p-r-a-c-t-i-c-e-s-; -a-n-d -i-n-f-o-r-m-a-t-i-o-n -o-n -t-h-e 
        -b-e-s-t -a-v-a-i-l-a-b-l-e -e-d-u-c-a-t-i-o-n -a-n-d 
        -t-r-a-i-n-i-n-g -m-a-t-e-r-i-a-l-s -a-n-d -s-e-r-v-i-c-e-s 
        -r-e-l-a-t-i-n-g -t-o -t-h-e -d-e-v-e-l-o-p-m-e-n-t-, 
        -i-m-p-l-e-m-e-n-t-a-t-i-o-n -a-n-d -o-p-e-r-a-t-i-o-n -o-f 
        -s-y-s-t-e-m-s -u-t-i-l-i-z-i-n-g -n-e-w -a-n-d 
        -a-d-v-a-n-c-e-d -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-i-e-s-, 
        -w-o-r-k-p-l-a-c-e -p-r-a-c-t-i-c-e-s -a-n-d -f-o-r-m-s -o-f 
        -w-o-r-k -o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n-.
    -(-b-) -D-i-s-t-r-i-b-u-t-i-o-n-.---T-h-e -i-n-f-o-r-m-a-t-i-o-n 
-a-n-d -m-a-t-e-r-i-a-l-s -d-e-v-e-l-o-p-e-d -u-n-d-e-r -t-h-i-s 
-s-u-b-s-e-c-t-i-o-n -s-h-a-l-l -b-e -d-i-s-t-r-i-b-u-t-e-d 
-t-h-r-o-u-g-h -a-n -a-p-p-r-o-p-r-i-a-t-e -e-n-t-i-t-y 
-d-e-s-i-g-n-a-t-e-d -b-y -t-h-e -S-e-c-r-e-t-a-r-y -o-f 
-C-o-m-m-e-r-c-e -t-o -t-h-e -R-e-g-i-o-n-a-l -C-e-n-t-e-r-s -f-o-r 
-t-h-e -T-r-a-n-s-f-e-r -o-f -M-a-n-u-f-a-c-t-u-r-i-n-g 
-T-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-y-, -t-o -t-h-e -M-a-n-u-f-a-c-t-u-r-i-n-g 
-O-u-t-r-e-a-c-h -C-e-n-t-e-r-, -t-o -o-t-h-e-r -t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-y 
-t-r-a-i-n-i-n-g -e-n-t-i-t-i-e-s-, -a-n-d -d-i-r-e-c-t-l-y -t-o 
-o-t-h-e-r-s-.

-S-E-C-. -7-. -A-U-T-H-O-R-I-Z-A-T-I-O-N -O-F 
              -A-P-P-R-O-P-R-I-A-T-I-O-N-S-.

    -(-a-) -I-n -G-e-n-e-r-a-l-.---T-h-e-r-e -a-r-e 
-a-u-t-h-o-r-i-z-e-d -t-o -b-e -a-p-p-r-o-p-r-i-a-t-e-d -t-o -c-a-r-r-y 
-o-u-t -t-h-i-s -A-c-t -s-u-c-h -s-u-m-s -a-s -m-a-y -b-e 
-n-e-c-e-s-s-a-r-y -f-o-r -e-a-c-h -o-f -t-h-e -f-i-s-c-a-l -y-e-a-r-s 
-1-9-9-5 -t-h-r-o-u-g-h -1-9-9-7-.
    -(-b-) -A-v-a-i-l-a-b-i-l-i-t-y-.---A-m-o-u-n-t-s 
-a-p-p-r-o-p-r-i-a-t-e-d -u-n-d-e-r -p-a-r-a-g-r-a-p-h -(-a-) 
-s-h-a-l-l -r-e-m-a-i-n -a-v-a-i-l-a-b-l-e -u-n-t-i-l 
-e-x-p-e-n-d-e-d-.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Workers Technology Skill Development 
Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds and declares the following:
            (1) In an increasingly competitive world economy, the 
        companies and nations that lead in the rapid development, 
        commercialization, and application of new and advanced 
        technologies, and in the high-quality, competitively priced 
        production of goods and services, will lead in economic growth, 
        employment, and high living standards.
            (2) While the United States remains the world leader in 
        science and invention, it has not done well in rapidly making 
        the transition from achievement in its research laboratories to 
        high-quality, competitively priced production of goods and 
        services. This lag and the unprecedented competitive challenge 
        that the United States has faced from abroad have contributed 
        to a drop in real wages and living standards.
            (3) Companies that are successfully competitive in the 
        rapid development, commercialization, application, and 
        implementation of advanced technologies, and in the successful 
        delivery of goods and services, recognize that worker 
        participation and labor-management cooperation in the 
        deployment, application, and implementation of advanced 
        workplace technologies make an important contribution to high-
        quality, competitively priced production of goods and services 
        and in maintaining and improving real wages for workers.
            (4) The Federal Government has an important role in 
        encouraging and augmenting private sector efforts relating to 
        the development, application, manufacture, and deployment of 
        new and advanced technologies. The role should be to--
                    (A) work with private companies, States, worker 
                organizations, nonprofit organizations, and 
                institutions of higher education to ensure the 
                development, application, production, and 
                implementation of new and advanced technologies to 
                promote the improvement of workers' skills, wages, job 
                security, and working conditions, and a healthy 
                environment;
                    (B) encourage worker and worker organization 
                participation in the development, commercialization, 
                evaluation, selection, application, and implementation 
                of new and advanced technologies in the workplace; and
                    (C) promote the use and integration of new and 
                advanced technologies in the workplace that enhance 
                workers' skills.
            (5) In working with the private sector to promote the 
        technological leadership and economic growth of the United 
        States, the Federal Government has a responsibility to ensure 
        that Federal technology programs help the United States to 
        remain competitive and to maintain and improve living standards 
        and to create and retain secure jobs in economically stable 
        communities.

SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

    The purposes of this Act are to--
            (1) improve the ability of workers and worker organizations 
        to recognize, develop, assess, and improve strategies for 
        successfully integrating workers and worker organizations into 
        the process of evaluating, selecting, and implementing advanced 
        workplace technologies, and advanced workplace practices in a 
        manner that creates and maintains stable well-paying jobs for 
        workers; and
            (2) assist workers and worker organizations in developing 
        the expertise necessary for effective participation with 
        employers in the development of strategies and programs for the 
        successful evaluation, selection, and implementation of 
        advanced workplace technologies and advanced workplace 
        practices through the provision of a range of education, 
        training, and related services.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

    As used in this Act:
            (1) Advanced workplace practices.--The term ``advanced 
        workplace practices'' means innovations in work organization 
        and performance, including high-performance workplace systems, 
        flexible production techniques, quality programs, continuous 
        improvement, concurrent engineering, close relationships 
        between suppliers and customers, widely diffused decisionmaking 
        and work teams, and effective integration of production 
        technology, worker skills and training, and workplace 
        organization, and such other characteristics as determined 
        appropriate by the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the 
        Secretary of Commerce.
            (2) Advanced workplace technologies.--The term ``advanced 
        workplace technologies'' includes--
                    (A) numerically controlled machine tools, robots, 
                automated process control equipment, computerized 
                flexible manufacturing systems, associated computer 
                software, and other technology for improving the 
                manufacturing and industrial production of goods and 
                commercial services, which advance the state-of-the-
                art; or
                    (B) novel industrial and commercial techniques and 
                processes not previously generally available that 
                improve quality, productivity, and practices, including 
                engineering design, quality assurance, concurrent 
                engineering, continuous process production technology, 
                inventory management, upgraded worker skills, 
                communications with customers and suppliers, and 
                promotion of sustainable economic growth.
            (3) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
        Department of Labor.
            (4) Nonprofit organization.--The term ``nonprofit 
        organization'' means a tax-exempt organization, as described in 
        paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of section 501(c) of the Internal 
        Revenue Code of 1986.
            (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Labor.
            (6) Worker organization.--The term ``worker organization'' 
        means a labor organization within the meaning of section 
        501(c)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

SEC. 5. GRANTS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Labor, after consultation with 
the Secretary of Commerce, shall, to the extent appropriations are 
available, award grants to eligible entities to carry out the purposes 
described in section 3.
    (b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this 
section, an entity shall--
            (1) be a nonprofit organization, or a partnership 
        consortium of such institutions or organizations;
            (2) prepare and submit to the Secretary an application at 
        such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
        the Secretary may require, including a description of the 
        activities that the entity will carry out using amounts 
        received under the grant; and
            (3) agree to make available (directly or through donations 
        from public or private entities) non-Federal contributions 
        toward the costs of the activities to be conducted with grant 
        funds, in an amount equal to the amount required under 
        subsection (d).
    (c) Use of Amounts.--An entity shall use amounts received under a 
grant awarded under this section to carry out the purposes described in 
section 3 through activities such as--
            (1) the dissemination of information to workers, worker 
        organizations, employers, State economic development agencies, 
        State industrial extension programs, Advanced Technology 
        Centers, and National Manufacturing Technology Centers 
        regarding successful practices relating to the effective 
        deployment of advanced workplace technologies, and advanced 
        workplace practices;
            (2) the provision of technical assistance to workers, 
        worker organizations, employers, State economic development 
        agencies, State industrial extension programs, Advanced 
        Technology Centers, and National Manufacturing Technology 
        Centers to identify advanced workplace practices and strategies 
        that enhance the effective evaluation, selection, and 
        implementation of advanced workplace technologies;
            (3) the researching and identification of new and advanced 
        workplace technologies, and advanced workplace practices that 
        promote the improvement of workers' skills, wages, working 
        conditions, and job security, that research the link between 
        advanced workplace practices and long-term corporate 
        performance, and that are consistent with the needs of local 
        communities and the need for a healthy environment; and
            (4) the development and dissemination of training programs 
        and materials relating to the services provided pursuant to 
        paragraphs (1) through (3).
    (d) Terms of Grants and Non-Federal Shares.--
            (1) Terms.--Grants awarded under this section shall be for 
        a term not to exceed 6 years.
            (2) Non-federal share.--Amounts required to be contributed 
        by an entity under subsection (b)(3) shall equal--
                    (A) an amount equal to 15 percent of the amount 
                provided under the grant in the first year for which 
                the grant is awarded;
                    (B) an amount equal to 20 percent of the amount 
                provided under the grant in the second year for which 
                the grant is awarded;
                    (C) an amount equal to 33 percent of the amount 
                provided under the grant in the third year for which 
                the grant is awarded;
                    (D) an amount equal to 40 percent of the amount 
                provided under the grant in the fourth year for which 
                the grant is awarded; and
                    (E) an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount 
                provided under the grant in the fifth and sixth years 
                for which the grant is awarded.
    (e) Evaluation.--The Department shall develop mechanisms for 
evaluating the effectiveness of the use of a grant awarded under this 
section in carrying out the purposes under section 3 and, not later 
than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years 
thereafter, prepare and submit a report to Congress concerning such 
evaluation.

SEC. 6. IDENTIFICATION AND DISSEMINATION OF BEST PRACTICES.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Information.--The Secretary, in cooperation and after 
        consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, shall assist 
        workers, worker organizations, and employers in successfully 
        adopting advanced workplace technologies, and advanced 
        workplace practices by identifying, collecting, and 
        disseminating information on best workplace practices and 
        workplace assessment tools, including--
                    (A) methods, techniques, and successful models of 
                labor-management cooperation and of worker and worker 
                organization participation in the development, 
                evaluation, selection, and implementation of new and 
                advanced workplace technologies, and advanced workplace 
                practices;
                    (B) methods, techniques, and successful models for 
                the design and implementation of new and advanced 
                workplace practices;
                    (C) methods, techniques, and successful models for 
                the design and implementation of advanced forms of work 
                organization; and
                    (D) methods, techniques, and successful models for 
                the assessment of worker skills and training needs 
                relating to the effective development, evaluation, 
                selection, and implementation of advanced workplace 
                technologies, and advanced workplace practices.
            (2) Contents.--Such information on best workplace practices 
        shall include--
                    (A) summaries and analyses of best practice cases;
                    (B) criteria for assessment of current workplace 
                practices; and
                    (C) information on the best available education and 
                training materials and services relating to the 
                development, implementation, and operation of systems 
                utilizing new and advanced workplace technologies, and 
                advanced workplace practices.
    (b) Distribution.--The information and materials developed under 
this section shall be distributed through an appropriate entity 
designated by the Secretary of Commerce to the Regional Centers for the 
Transfer of Manufacturing Technology, to the Manufacturing Outreach 
Center, to other technology training entities, and directly to others 
as determined appropriate by the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary 
of Commerce.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out this Act such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 
1995 through 1997.
    (b) Availability.--Amounts appropriated under subsection (a) shall 
remain available until expended.
S 1020 RS----2
S 1020 RS----3