A bill to amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to authorize the Secretary of Labor to provide for 5-year pilot projects to establish a system of industry-validated national certifications of skills in high-technology industries and a cross-disciplinary national certification of skills in homeland security technology.
Workforce Investment for Next-Generation Technologies Act - WING Act - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to direct the Secretary of Labor to carry out up to twenty pilot projects to establish a system of industry-validated national certifications of skills in: (1) up to sixteen high-technology industries; and (2) up to four cross-disciplinary national certification of skills in homeland security technology.
Includes among the high-technology industries: biotechnology, telecommunications, highly automated manufacturing (including semiconductors), advanced materials technology, nanotechnology, and energy technology (including technology relating to next-generation lighting).
Directs the Secretary to make three-to-four year grants for such projects to eligible entities with one or more of the following as a primary participant: (1) an institution of higher education; (2) an advanced technology education center; (3) a local workforce investment board; (4) a representative of a business in a target industry for the certification involved; or (5) a representative of an industry association, labor organization, or community development organization.
Requires each certification program to be: (1) offered at the completion of, and in addition to, a training and education program which is related to the industry competencies involved and which is offered in a flexible manner that meets the needs of those seeking certification; and (2) consistent with the requirements for a two-year associate degree.
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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