[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 46 (Monday, April 18, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3829-S3831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BINGAMAN:
  S. 834. A bill to amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to 
provide for integrated workforce training programs for adults with 
limited English proficiency, and for other purposes; to the Committee 
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the bills be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bills were ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 833

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Workforce Investment for 
     Next-Generation Technologies Act'' or the ``WING Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) Science- and technology-based industries have been and 
     will continue to be engines of United States economic growth 
     and national security.
       (2) The United States faces great challenges in the global 
     economy from nations with highly trained technical 
     workforces.
       (3) Occupations requiring technical and scientific training 
     are projected to grow rapidly over the next decade, at 3 
     times the rate of all occupations (according to Science & 
     Engineering Indicators, 2002).
       (4) The need for trained technology workers in national 
     security fields has increased as a result of the events of 
     September 11, 2001.
       (5) National certification systems are well established and 
     accepted in fields such as health and information technology 
     and have succeeded in attracting more workers into those 
     fields.
       (6) Business and workers could both be well served by 
     expanding the certification concept to other high technology 
     industries.
       (7) National certification systems allow workers to develop 
     skills transportable to other States in response to layoffs 
     and other economic changes.
       (8) National certification systems facilitate interstate 
     comparisons of education and training programs and help 
     identify best practices and reduce cost and development 
     redundancies.
       (9) National certification systems promote quality and 
     encourage educational institutions to modernize programs to 
     ensure graduates pass industry-required exams.
       (10) National certification based on industry-validated 
     skill standards introduces stricter accountability for 
     technical and vocational education programs.
       (11) Certification signals value to employers and increases 
     applicants' employability.
       (12) Certification offers a planned skill development route 
     into employment or professional advancement for working 
     adults and displaced workers.
       (13) The National Science Foundation's Advanced 
     Technological Education Program, authorized by Congress in 
     1992, has created national centers of excellence at community 
     colleges that have established unique linkages with industry 
     to prepare individuals for the technical workforce under the 
     program.
       (14) The Advanced Technological Education Program should be 
     expanded to all institutions of higher education, as the 
     Nation should invest more resources in training and education 
     programs that are responsive to marketplace needs.
       (15) The one-stop delivery systems authorized under the 
     Workforce Investment Act of 1998 have proved to be effective 
     providers of information and resources for job seekers.
       (16) The one-stop delivery systems offer special 
     opportunities for directing displaced workers to 
     certification programs that build skills for technical fields 
     where rewarding jobs are plentiful.

     SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

       The purposes of this Act are as follows:
       (1) To increase the numbers of workers educated for 
     employment in high technology industries.
       (2) To align the technical and vocational programs of 
     educational institutions with the workforce needs of high-
     growth, next generation industries.
       (3) To offer individuals expanded opportunities for rapid 
     training and retraining in portable skills needed to keep and 
     change jobs in a volatile economy.
       (4) To provide United States businesses with adequate 
     numbers of skilled technical workers.
       (5) To encourage a student's or worker's progress toward an 
     advanced degree while providing training, education, and 
     useful credentials for workforce entry or reentry.

     SEC. 4. SKILL CERTIFICATION PILOT PROJECTS.

       Section 171 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 
     U.S.C. 2916) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) Skill Certification Pilot Projects.--
       ``(1) Pilot projects.--In accordance with subsection (b), 
     the Secretary of Labor shall establish and carry out not more 
     than 20 pilot projects to establish a system of industry-
     validated national certifications of skills, including--
       ``(A) not more than 16 national certifications of skills in 
     high-technology industries, including biotechnology, 
     telecommunications, highly automated manufacturing (including 
     semiconductors), advanced materials technology, 
     nanotechnology, and energy technology (including technology 
     relating to next-generation lighting); and
       ``(B) not more than 4 cross-disciplinary national 
     certifications of skills in homeland security technology.
       ``(2) Grants to eligible entities.--In carrying out the 
     pilot projects, the Secretary of Labor shall make grants to 
     eligible entities, for periods of not less than 36 months and 
     not more than 48 months, to carry out the authorized 
     activities described in paragraph (7) with respect to the 
     certifications described in paragraph (1).
       ``(3) Eligible entities.--
       ``(A) Definition of eligible entity.--In this subsection, 
     the term `eligible entity' means an entity that shall include 
     as a principal participant one or more of the following:
       ``(i) An institution of higher education (as defined in 
     section 101 or 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 1001, 1002)).
       ``(ii) An advanced technology education center.
       ``(iii) A local workforce investment board.
       ``(iv) A representative of a business in a target industry 
     for the certification involved.
       ``(v) A representative of an industry association, labor 
     organization, or community development organization.
       ``(B) History of demonstrated capability required.--To be 
     eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, an 
     eligible entity shall have a history of demonstrated 
     capability for effective collaboration with industry on 
     workforce development activities that is consistent with the 
     goals of this Act.
       ``(4) Applications.--To be eligible to receive a grant 
     under this subsection, an eligible entity shall submit an 
     application to the Secretary of Labor at such time, in such

[[Page S3830]]

     manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may 
     require.
       ``(5) Criteria.--The Secretary of Labor shall establish 
     criteria, consistent with paragraph (6), for awarding grants 
     under this subsection.
       ``(6) Priority.--In selecting eligible entities to receive 
     grants under this subsection, the Secretary of Labor shall 
     give priority to eligible entities that demonstrate the 
     availability of and ability to provide matching funds from 
     industry or nonprofit sources. Such matching funds may be 
     provided in cash or in kind.
       ``(7) Authorized activities.--
       ``(A) In general.--An eligible entity that receives a grant 
     under this subsection shall use the funds made available 
     through the grant--
       ``(i) to establish certification requirements for a 
     certification described in paragraph (1) for an industry;
       ``(ii) to develop and initiate a certification program that 
     includes preparatory courses, course materials, procedures, 
     and examinations, for the certification; and
       ``(iii) to collect and analyze data related to the program 
     at the program's completion, and to identify best practices 
     (consistent with paragraph (8)) that may be used by local and 
     State workforce investment boards in the future.
       ``(B) Basis for requirements.--The certification 
     requirements shall be based on applicable skill standards for 
     the industry involved that have been developed by or linked 
     to national centers of excellence under the National Science 
     Foundation's Advanced Technological Education Program. The 
     requirements shall require an individual to demonstrate an 
     identifiable set of competencies relevant to the industry in 
     order to receive certification. The requirements shall be 
     designed to provide evidence of a transferable skill set that 
     allows flexibility and mobility of workers within a high 
     technology industry.
       ``(C) Relationship to training and education programs.--The 
     eligible entity shall ensure that--
       ``(i) a training and education program related to 
     competencies for the industry involved, that is flexible in 
     mode and timeframe for delivery and that meets the needs of 
     those seeking the certification, is offered; and
       ``(ii) the certification program is offered at the 
     completion of the training and education program.
       ``(D) Relationship to the associate degree.--The eligible 
     entity shall ensure that the certification program is 
     consistent with the requirements for a 2-year associate 
     degree.
       ``(E) Availability.--The eligible entity shall ensure that 
     the certification program is open to students pursuing 
     associate degrees, employed workers, and displaced workers.
       ``(8) Consultation.--The Secretary of Labor shall consult 
     with the Director of the National Science Foundation and the 
     Secretary of Education to ensure that the pilot projects 
     build on the expertise and information about best practices 
     gained through the implementation of the National Science 
     Foundation's Advanced Technological Education Program.
       ``(9) Core components; guidelines; reports.--After 
     collecting and analyzing the data obtained from the pilot 
     programs, the Secretary of Labor shall--
       ``(A) establish the core components of a model high-
     technology certification program;
       ``(B) establish guidelines to assure development of a 
     uniform set of standards and policies for such programs;
       ``(C) submit and prepare a report on the pilot projects to 
     the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of 
     the Senate and the Committee on Education and the Workforce 
     of the House of Representatives; and
       ``(D) make available to the public both the data and the 
     report.
       ``(10) Authorization of appropriations.--In addition to 
     amounts authorized to be appropriated under section 174(b), 
     there is authorized to be appropriated $60,000,000 for fiscal 
     year 2006 to carry out this subsection.''.
                                  ____


                                 S. 834

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Limited English Proficiency 
     and Integrated Workforce Training Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 system is 
     designed--
       (A) to ensure universal access for individuals in need of 
     employment and training systems; and
       (B) to equip workers with those skills that contribute to 
     lifelong education.
       (2) The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 system is designed 
     to recognize and reinforce the link between economic 
     development and workforce development to meet the joint 
     demands of employers and workers.
       (3) The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 system should 
     address the ongoing shortage of essential skills in the 
     United States workforce in sectors with economic growth to 
     ensure the United States remains competitive in the global 
     economy.
       (4) Immigrants accounted for over 50 percent of the growth 
     in the civilian workforce between 1990 and 2001, and assuming 
     today's levels of immigration remain constant, immigrants 
     will account for half of the growth in the working age 
     population between 2006 and 2015.
       (5) The growth of the United States workforce and the 
     competitiveness of the United States economy is directly 
     linked to immigrants, some of whom are limited English 
     proficient.
       (6) The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 system may be 
     significantly strengthened by funding the development of an 
     employer centered integrated workforce training program for 
     adults with limited English proficiency, taking into account 
     the needs of the local and regional economy and the 
     linguistic, social, and cultural characteristics of the 
     individual.

     SEC. 3. INTEGRATED WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS 
                   WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY.

       Section 171 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 
     U.S.C. 2916) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) Integrated Workforce Training Programs for Adults 
     With Limited English Proficiency.--
       ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       ``(A) Integrated workforce training.--The term `integrated 
     workforce training' means training that integrates 
     occupational skills training with language acquisition.
       ``(B) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
     of Labor in consultation with the Secretary of Education.
       ``(2) Demonstration project.--In accordance with subsection 
     (b), the Secretary shall establish and implement a national 
     demonstration project designed to both analyze and provide 
     data on workforce training programs that integrate English 
     language acquisition and occupational training.
       ``(3) Grants.--
       ``(A) In general.--In carrying out the demonstration 
     project, the Secretary shall make not less than 10 grants, on 
     a competitive basis, to eligible entities to provide the 
     integrated workforce training programs. In awarding grants 
     under this subsection the Secretary shall take into 
     consideration awarding grants to eligible entities from 
     diverse geographic areas, including rural areas.
       ``(B) Periods.--The Secretary shall make the grants for 
     periods of not less than 24 months and not more than 48 
     months.
       ``(4) Eligible entities.--
       ``(A) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
     this subsection, an eligible entity shall work in conjunction 
     with a local board and shall include as a principal 
     participant one or more of the following:
       ``(i) An employer or employer association.
       ``(ii) A nonprofit provider of English language 
     instruction.
       ``(iii) A provider of occupational or skills training.
       ``(iv) A community-based organization.
       ``(v) An educational institution, including a 2- or 4-year 
     college, or a technical or vocational school.
       ``(vi) A labor organization.
       ``(vii) A local board.
       ``(B) Expertise.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
     this subsection, an eligible entity shall have proven 
     expertise in--
       ``(i) serving individuals with limited English proficiency, 
     including individuals with lower levels of oral and written 
     English; and
       ``(ii) providing workforce programs with training and 
     English language instruction.
       ``(5) Applications.--
       ``(A) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
     this subsection, an eligible entity shall submit an 
     application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, 
     and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
       ``(B) Contents.--Each application submitted under 
     subparagraph (A) shall--
       ``(i) contain information, including capability statements, 
     that demonstrates that the eligible entity has the expertise 
     described in paragraph (4)(B); and
       ``(ii) include an assurance that the program to be assisted 
     shall--

       ``(I) establish a generalized adult bilingual workforce 
     training and education model that integrates English language 
     acquisition and occupational training, and incorporates the 
     unique linguistic and cultural factors of the participants;
       ``(II) establish a framework by which the employer, 
     employee, and other relevant members of the eligible entity 
     can create a career development and training plan that 
     assists both the employer and the employee to meet their 
     long-term needs;
       ``(III) ensure that the framework established under 
     subclause (II) takes into consideration the knowledge, 
     skills, and abilities of the employee with respect to both 
     the current and economic conditions of the employer and 
     future labor market conditions relevant to the local area; 
     and
       ``(IV) establish identifiable measures so that the progress 
     of the employee and employer and the relative efficacy of the 
     program can be evaluated and best practices identified.

       ``(6) -Criteria.--The Secretary shall establish criteria 
     for awarding grants under this subsection.
       ``(7) Integrated workforce training programs.--
       ``(A) Program components.--
       ``(i) Required components.--Each program that receives 
     funding under this subsection shall--

[[Page S3831]]

       ``(I) test an individual's English language proficiency 
     levels to assess oral and literacy gains from the beginning 
     and throughout program enrollment;
       ``(II) combine training specific to a particular occupation 
     or occupational cluster, with--

       ``(aa) English language instruction, such as instruction 
     through an English as a Second Language program, or an 
     English for Speakers of Other Languages program;
       ``(bb) basic skills instruction; and
       ``(cc) supportive services;

       ``(III) effectively integrate public and private sector 
     entities, including the local workforce investment system and 
     its functions, to achieve the goals of the program; and
       ``(IV) require matching or in-kind resources from private 
     and nonprofit entities.

       ``(ii) Permissible components.--The program may offer other 
     services, as necessary to promote successful participation 
     and completion, including work-based learning, substance 
     abuse treatment, and mental health services.
       ``(B) Goal.--Each program that receives funding under this 
     subsection shall be designed to prepare limited English 
     proficient adults for, and place such adults in, employment 
     in growing industries with identifiable career ladder paths.
       ``(C) Program types.--In selecting programs to receive 
     funding under this subsection, the Secretary shall select 
     programs that meet 1 or more of the following criteria:
       ``(i) A program that--

       ``(I) serves unemployed, limited English proficient 
     individuals with significant work experience or substantial 
     education but persistently low wages; and
       ``(II) aims to prepare such individuals for, and place such 
     individuals in, higher paying employment, defined for 
     purposes of this subparagraph as employment that provides at 
     least 75 percent of the median wage in the local area.

       ``(ii) A program that--

       ``(I) serves limited English proficient individuals with 
     lower levels of oral and written fluency, who are working but 
     at persistently low wages; and
       ``(II) aims to prepare such individuals for, and place such 
     individuals in, higher paying employment, through services 
     provided at the work site, or at a location central to 
     several work sites, during work hours.

       ``(iii) A program that--

       ``(I) serves unemployed, limited English proficient 
     individuals with lower levels of oral and written fluency, 
     who have little or no work experience; and
       ``(II) aims to prepare such individuals for, and place such 
     individuals in, employment through services that include 
     subsidized employment, in addition to the components required 
     in subparagraph (A)(i).

       ``(iv) A program that includes funds from private and 
     nonprofit entities.
       ``(D) Program approaches.--In selecting programs to receive 
     funding under this subsection, the Secretary shall select 
     programs with different approaches to integrated workforce 
     training, in different contexts, in order to obtain 
     comparative data on multiple approaches to integrated 
     workforce training and English language instruction, to 
     ensure programs are tailored to characteristics of 
     individuals with varying skill levels and to assess how 
     different curricula work for limited English proficient 
     populations. Such approaches may include--
       ``(i) bilingual programs in which the workplace language 
     component and the training are conducted in a combination of 
     an individual's native language and English;
       ``(ii) integrated workforce training programs that combine 
     basic skills, language instruction, and job specific skills 
     training; or
       ``(iii) sequential programs that provide a progression of 
     skills, language, and training to ensure success upon an 
     individual's completion of the program.
       ``(8) Evaluation by eligible entity.--Each eligible entity 
     that receives a grant under this subsection for a program 
     shall carry out a continuous program evaluation and an 
     evaluation specific to the last phase of the program 
     operations.
       ``(9) Evaluation by secretary.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct an 
     evaluation of program impacts of the programs funded under 
     the demonstration project, with a random assignment, 
     experimental design impact study done at each worksite at 
     which such a program is carried out.
       ``(B) Data collection and analysis.--The Secretary shall 
     collect and analyze the data from the demonstration project 
     to determine program effectiveness, including gains in 
     language proficiency, acquisition of skills, and job 
     advancement for program participants.
       ``(C) Report.--The Secretary shall prepare and submit to 
     the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of 
     the Senate and the Committee on Education and the Workforce 
     of the House of Representatives, and make available to the 
     public, a report on the demonstration project, including the 
     results of the evaluation.
       ``(10) Technical assistance.--The Secretary shall provide 
     technical assistance to recipients of grants under this 
     subsection throughout the grant periods.
       ``(11) Authorization of appropriations.--In addition to 
     amounts authorized to be appropriated under section 174(b), 
     there are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 
     2006--
       ``(A) $10,000,000 to make grants under paragraph (3); and
       ``(B) $1,000,000 to carry out paragraph (9).''.
                                 ______