To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to authorize a study to review specific outcomes of entrepreneurial skills development programs, and for other purposes.
Impact
The implications of HB 699 could be significant as it seeks to integrate entrepreneurial skills into existing workforce development frameworks. By incorporating training and support for aspiring entrepreneurs, the bill has the potential to enhance economic growth, especially in local communities. Moreover, it may lead to increased job creation as individuals acquire the necessary skills and tools to start their own businesses. This aligns with efforts to support self-employment and foster innovation in the labor market.
Summary
House Bill 699 aims to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act by authorizing a study to review specific outcomes of entrepreneurial skills development programs. The proposed amendments include enhancing the role of local workforce development boards to encompass entrepreneurship within their training and service provisions. By broadening the focus to include entrepreneurs, the bill seeks to foster a more conducive environment for business development and job creation across the nation.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding HB 699 revolve around the effectiveness and funding of entrepreneurial skills development programs. Critics may question whether existing workforce development strategies are adequately equipped to handle the additional focus on entrepreneurship, particularly in terms of resources and training effectiveness. Furthermore, there may be concerns regarding how the outcomes of such programs will be measured and assessed, and whether they truly lead to successful business ventures and economic stability.
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to authorize a study to review specific outcomes of entrepreneurial skills development programs, and for other purposes.
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to direct the Secretary of Labor to award grants to community colleges for high-quality workforce development programs.
To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to direct the Secretary of Labor to award grants to community colleges for high-quality workforce development programs.
DOD Entrepreneurial Innovation Act This bill requires each military department to annually designate at least five eligible programs as Entrepreneurial Innovation Projects. Eligible programs are certain projects currently pursuing commercialization objectives that initially received funding for research and development through the Small Business Innovation Research Program or Small Business Technology Transfer Program. Once designated, programs must be included in future budgets and plans of the Department of Defense. Each military department must establish an advisory panel to identify and recommend eligible programs for designation.
To amend the Small Business Act to reauthorize and modify the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Research programs, and for other purposes.
Promoting Employment and Lifelong Learning Act or the PELL Act This bill expands student eligibility for Pell Grants by establishing the Workforce Pell Grants Program. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to award Workforce Pell Grants to students enrolled in eligible short-term programs. Eligible programs are those that provide 150 to 600 clock hours of instructional time over a period of 8 to 15 weeks and meet other eligibility criteria. An accrediting agency or association recognized by ED must determine a program's eligibility based on several criteria, including that the program provides education aligned with the requirements of in-demand industry sectors and occupations and meets specified completion and job placement rates. ED must annually collect and publish information on the College Scorecard regarding each eligible program, including job outcomes. The College Scorecard is a comparison tool for information on school sizes, settings, graduation rates, average costs, and salary ranges per field of study.