March 14, 2025
Mr. Allen introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
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.
Section 1. State workforce development board
Section 101(d)(3)(D) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3111(d)(3)(D)) is amended—
(1)
by striking and jobseekers
and inserting jobseekers, and entrepreneurs
; and
(2)
by inserting and entrepreneurial skills development and microenterprise services
after occupations
.
Sec. 2. Identification of eligible providers of training services
Section 122(a)(2)(C) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3152(a)(2)(C)) is amended by inserting and providers of entrepreneurial skills development programs
after organizations
.
Sec. 3. Required local employment and training activities
Section 134(c)(2)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(2)(A)) is amended—
(1)
in clause (iv)—
(A)
in subclause (I)—
(i)
in item (aa), by striking ; and
and inserting a semicolon; and
(ii)
by adding at the end the following:
(cc)
provision of information on entrepreneurship, as appropriate; and;
(B)
in subclause (II), by adding and
after the semicolon; and
(C)
by adding at the end the following:
(III)
referral to microenterprise services, as appropriate;;
(2)
in clause (vi)—
(A)
in subclause (I), by inserting , which may include resources to support entrepreneurship,
after listings
; and
(B)
in subclause (III), by inserting , which may include entrepreneurship opportunities,
after demand
; and
(3)
in clause (xiii), by inserting or entrepreneurial opportunities
after workplace
.
Sec. 4. Evaluations and research
Section 169 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3224) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (b)—
(A)
in paragraph (4)—
(i)
by redesignating subparagraph (K) as subparagraph (L); and
(ii)
by inserting after subparagraph (J) the following:
(K) Study on entrepreneurial skills development programs
The Secretary shall, through a grant or contract, conduct a three-year multistate study on entrepreneurial skills development programs, which shall include the following:
(i)
A review of—
(I)
successful practices for developing entrepreneurial skills of individuals;
(II)
evidence-based and other best practices for mentoring potential entrepreneurs;
(III)
the qualifications needed for skills development providers to successfully develop the entrepreneurial skills of individuals;
(IV)
strategies for engaging employers and other private sector partners;
(V)
such program outcomes that correlate with entrepreneurial success;
(VI)
how such programs successfully measure the progress of participants in such programs;
(VII)
the extent to which such programs lead to industry recognized credentials;
(VIII)
the impact, including the economic impact, of such programs on States and local communities;
(IX)
the extent to which such programs affect business development and job creation in States and local communities;
(X)
how such programs identify potential program participants’ readiness for the program; and
(XI)
the average earnings of participants who complete such a program three years after the date of completion of such program.
(ii)
Recommendations for States and local communities to expand access to such programs.; and
(B)
in paragraph (5)(A), by inserting which shall include individuals pursuing entrepreneurship,
after particular service populations,
; and
(2)
in subsection (c), by striking the third sentence and inserting the following: Such projects may include demonstration and pilot projects relating to promoting self-employment, promoting entrepreneurship, promoting job creation (especially for in-demand industry sectors or occupations), averting dislocations, assisting dislocated farmers, assisting dislocated fishermen, developing career pathways and encouraging advancements, and promoting public works.
.