§ 2328. Occupational and employment information

(a) National activities

From funds appropriated under subsection (g), the Secretary, in consultation with appropriate Federal agencies, is authorized—

(1) to provide assistance to an entity to enable the entity—

(A) to provide technical assistance to State entities designated under subsection (c) to enable the State entities to carry out the activities described in such subsection;

(B) to disseminate information that promotes the replication of high quality practices described in subsection (c); and

(2) to award grants to States that designate State entities in accordance with subsection (c) to enable the State entities to carry out the State level activities described in such subsection.

(b) State application

(1) In general

A jointly designated State entity described in subsection (c) that desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at the same time the State submits its State plan under section 2342 of this title, in such manner, and accompanied by such additional information, as the Secretary may reasonably require.

(2) Contents

Each application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include a description of how the jointly designated State entity described in subsection (c) will provide information based on trends provided pursuant to section 15 of the Wagner-Peyser Act [29 U.S.C. 49l–2] to inform program development.

In order for a State to receive a grant under this section, the eligible agency and the Governor of the State shall jointly designate an entity in the State—

(1) to provide support for career guidance and academic counseling programs designed to promote improved career and education decision making by students (and parents, as appropriate) regarding education (including postsecondary education) and training options and preparations for high skill, high wage, or high demand occupations and non-traditional fields;

(2) to make available to students, parents, teachers, administrators, faculty, and career guidance and academic counselors, and to improve accessibility with respect to, information and planning resources that relate academic and career and technical educational preparation to career goals and expectations;

(3) to provide academic and career and technical education teachers, faculty, administrators, and career guidance and academic counselors with the knowledge, skills, and occupational information needed to assist parents and students, especially special populations, with career exploration, educational opportunities, education financing, and exposure to high skill, high wage, or high demand occupations and non-traditional fields, including occupations and fields requiring a baccalaureate degree;

(4) to assist appropriate State entities in tailoring career related educational resources and training for use by such entities, including information on high skill, high wage, or high demand occupations in current or emerging professions and on career ladder information;

(5) to improve coordination and communication among administrators and planners of programs authorized by this chapter and by section 15 of the Wagner-Peyser Act [29 U.S.C. 49l–2] at the Federal, State, and local levels to ensure nonduplication of efforts and the appropriate use of shared information and data;

(6) to provide ongoing means for customers, such as students and parents, to provide comments and feedback on products and services and to update resources, as appropriate, to better meet customer requirements; and

(7) to provide readily available occupational information such as—

(A) information relative to employment sectors;

(B) information on occupation supply and demand; and

(C) other information provided pursuant to section 15 of the Wagner-Peyser Act [29 U.S.C. 49l–2] as the jointly designated State entity considers relevant.

(d) Nonduplication

(1) Wagner-Peyser Act

The jointly designated State entity described under subsection (c) may use funds provided under subsection (a)(2) to supplement activities under section 15 of the Wagner-Peyser Act [29 U.S.C. 49l–2] to the extent such activities do not duplicate activities assisted under such section.

(2) Public Law 105–220

None of the functions and activities assisted under this section shall duplicate the functions and activities carried out under Public Law 105–220.

(e) Funding rule

Of the amounts appropriated to carry out this section, the Federal entity designated under subsection (a) shall use—

(1) not less than 85 percent to carry out subsection (c); and

(2) not more than 15 percent to carry out subsection (a).

(f) Report

The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate Federal agencies, shall prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress, an annual report that includes—

(1) a description of activities assisted under this section during the prior program year;

(2) a description of the specific products and services assisted under this section that were delivered in the prior program year; and

(3) an assessment of the extent to which States have effectively coordinated activities assisted under this section with activities authorized under section 15 of the Wagner-Peyser Act [29 U.S.C. 49l–2].

(g) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2007 through 2012.

U.S. Code

§ 2328. Occupational and employment information