United States Skills Corporation Act

United States Skills Corporation Act - Authorizes the Director of the United States Skills Corporation established by this Act to make grants to State skills corporations.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986 for formula grants. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989 for competitive grants. Requires the Director to reserve up to a specified amount from appropriations for competitive grants for the purpose of carrying out provisions for innovative grants. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989 for administrative expenses relating to carrying out this Act.

Requires a State Governor to designate or establish a quasi-public corporation, a public nonprofit corporation, or a State agency as the State skills corporation in order for the State to receive funds under this Act. Requires that such State skills corporation: (1) have as one of its principal corporate purposes the provision of a skill training and education program consistent with the employment needs of the State; (2) receive matching funds from direct State appropriation; and (3) receive financial support from business and industry in the State, together with information, technical assistance, and financial support from business concerns within the State. Requires the State to certify that such designation has been made, that such requirements are met, and that Federal assistance is essential to the success of such programs.

Sets forth provisions for distribution of assistance through formula grants and competitive grants.

Sets forth grant application requirements. Requires that at least 50 percent of program funds be furnished by business concerns within the State, with specified exceptions.

Requires each State skills corporation to furnish evidence that: (1) a required analysis of State training needs was prepared with the cooperation of business concerns within the State, including private industry councils; and (2) the State Job Training Coordinating Council (SJTCC) established under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) has reviewed the application with regard to how the State skills corporation activities supplement and are coordinated with programs under JTPA and the Vocational Education Act of 1963. Requires that dissenting views and comments of the SJTCC be forwarded with the application.

Permits joint applications.

Establishes a United States Skills Corporation as an independent agency of the executive branch. Requires that the Corporation be headed by a Director appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Establishes in the Corporation an advisory board on skills which shall assist the Director in developing guidelines and procedures for the approval of applications for grants under this Act and for carrying out the responsibilities under provisions for information activities under this Act. Sets forth requirements for membership of such advisory board. Sets forth provisions relating to the terms of such members.

Authorizes the Director, from specified funds reserved from appropriations for competitive grants, to make innovative grants to support skills corporation programs of an experimental nature. Prohibits any innovative grant from being made to a State skills corporation which has not met specified requirements.

Authorizes the Director to operate an information clearinghouse with respect to State skills corporations and their programs and activities. Requires the Director, in carrying out such function, to collect, analyze, and disseminate such information to the public. Authorizes the Director to sponsor and conduct, special institutes, conferences, demonstration projects and studies which increase communication and cooperation among Federal, State, and local public agencies, business concerns, public and private institutions and organization (particularly institutions involved in economic development, employment opportunities, and skills training and education).

Sets forth administrative provisions for the Corporation. Requires the Corporation to submit an annual report of its operations under this Act to the President and the Congress.

Sets forth provisions relating to audits. Requires the Director to report annually to the President and the Congress on the activities conducted with assistance under this Act, together with recommendations for improvements in the program.

Requires the Director to pay States the Federal share of programs under formula grants and competitive grants. Sets such Federal share at 25 percent for each fiscal year. Provides that the contribution of business concerns may be in cash or in kind, including but not limited to planning expenses, plant, equipment, and services.

Defines "State" as any of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.