H.R. 4452 — STEM RESTART Act

This section establishes a new section 172 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), redesignating current section 172 as section 173, to authorize competitive RESTART grants to small-sized (50-499 employees) and medium-sized (500-9,999 employees) enterprises or consortia in in-demand STEM sectors for 3-5 year returnship programs providing above-entry-level opportunities, salaries, benefits, and training in STEM fields for mid-career unemployed or underemployed workers, particularly from rural areas. (As background: WIOA authorizes federal workforce development programs including training, apprenticeships, and employment services for adults, dislocated workers, and youth.) Grants provide annual payments of $100,000-$1 million to small-sized enterprises and $500,000-$5 million to medium-sized enterprises or consortia; eligible entities, which must be U.S.-based, not in bankruptcy, and partner with providers such as institutions of higher education or workforce organizations, apply describing STEM workforce demand and program impacts on employment.