Assessments to measure the prior knowledge, skills, competencies, and experiences of an individual

(a)

Statewide employment and training activities

Section 134(a)(2)(B) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(a)(2)(B)) is amended—(1)in clause (v)(VI), by striking the and after the semicolon; (2)in clause (vi), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and(3)by adding at the end the following:

(vii)coordinating with industry organizations, employers (including small and mid-sized employers), training providers, local boards, and institutions of higher education to identify or develop assessments that—(I)are a valid and reliable method of collecting information; and(II)measure the prior knowledge, skills, competencies, and experiences of an individual for the purpose of—(aa)awarding postsecondary credit toward a recognized postsecondary credential aligned with in-demand industry sectors and occupations in the State;(bb)awarding a recognized postsecondary credential that is used by employers in the State for recruitment, hiring, retention, or advancement purposes;(cc)developing individual employment plans that incorporate the prior knowledge, skills, competencies, and experiences of an individual to identify skills related to an in-demand industry sector or occupation and any upskilling needed to secure employment in such sector or occupation; and(dd)helping individuals communicate their prior knowledge, skills, competencies, and experiences to prospective employers through skills-based profiles or portfolios; and(viii)disseminating to local areas information relating to the assessments identified or developed pursuant to clause (vii), including—(I)any recognized postsecondary credential awarded through such an assessment; (II)the industry organizations, employers, training providers, and institutions of higher education located within the State that recognize the prior knowledge, skills, competencies, and experiences of an individual validated by such assessments; and(III)how such assessments may be provided to, and accessed by, individuals through the one-stop delivery system.

(b)

Allowable Statewide employment and training activities

Section 134(a)(3)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(a)(3)(A)) is amended—(1)in clause (xiii), by striking the and after the semicolon;(2)in clause (xiv), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and(3)by adding at the end the following:

(xv)identifying and providing to employers information relating to best practices on the use of assessments, including such assessments developed or identified by the State pursuant to paragraph (2)(B)(vii);(xvi)providing technical assistance to employers seeking to use such assessments for hiring, promotion, or upskilling of employees; and(xvii)supporting employers in the State seeking to implement a practice of hiring individuals based on their prior knowledge, skills, competencies, and experiences as an alternative to relying on postsecondary degree requirements in the hiring process.

(c)

Authorized local employment and training activities

Section 134(c)(2)(A)(iii) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(2)(A)(iii) is amended to read as follows:

(iii)initial assessment of skill levels (including literacy, numeracy, and English language proficiency), aptitudes, abilities (including skills gaps), and supportive service needs, and a determination (considering factors including prior work experience, military service, life experience, or education history, and in-demand industry sectors and occupations in the local area) of whether such an individual would benefit from an assessment identified by the State pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(B)(vii) to measure the individual’s prior knowledge, skills, competencies, and experiences to accelerate the individual in obtaining employment that leads to economic self-sufficiency or career advancement;

(d)

Permissible local employment and training activities

Section 134(d)(1)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(d)(1)(A)) is amended—(1)in clause (xi), by striking the and after the semicolon;(2)in clause (xii), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and(3)by adding at the end the following:

(xiii)assessments for individuals upon initial assessment of skills (pursuant to subsection (c)(2)(A)(iii)) or completion of training services or other learning experiences; and(xiv)providing technical assistance or other support to employers seeking to use such assessments for hiring, promotion, or upskilling of employees.