Community colleges could compete for training grants if Congress provides funding

The Labor Department would award competitive job-training grants if Congress provides funding. Applicants could include public colleges and branches where associate degrees are the highest or most common degree, two-year Tribal colleges, other Tribal colleges meeting that degree rule, vocational schools, and groups of these schools. The funding authorization would not itself provide the money. Grant money would have to add to other public funding rather than replace it. Initial grants would last up to four years.

Schools receiving grants would provide job training and career services in partnership with employers. Programs would serve adults, workers who lost jobs, current workers, and people entering the workforce. Schools would have to maintain a partnership with employers in fields with strong hiring needs throughout the grant. Partnerships would have to work with the workforce development system.

The Labor Department would review funded schools every year and publish annual performance reports. Public reports would cover schools' progress, participant results, and enrollment. Schools missing their targets would receive technical help and an improvement plan. Further grants would require schools to meet agreed performance targets during their most recently completed grant period. Each additional grant could last up to four years.