§16411 Workforce Trends and Traineeship Grants

Summary

The Secretary must track job trends for skilled technical workers who support energy technology industries and for electric power and transmission engineers. Energy technology industry covers things like renewable energy, companies that make energy-saving devices, oil and gas, nuclear power, coal, electric utilities, and any other sectors the Secretary finds relevant. Skilled technical personnel means journey- and apprentice-level workers in federally or State-recognized apprenticeship programs, and other skilled energy workers the Secretary identifies. Not later than 1 year after August 8, 2005, the Secretary must send Congress a report on current trends with recommendations for future labor needs. If a major national shortage is found or predicted, the Secretary must report that to Congress as soon as possible. The Secretary, with the Labor Secretary, may set up grant programs to pay for training (including distance learning) for worker groups with identified or predicted shortages. Up to $20,000,000 is authorized for each of fiscal years 2006, 2007, and 2008 to carry out these actions.