H.R. 6968 — Immersive Technology for the American Workforce Act of 2025

This section directs the Secretary of Labor, not later than one year after enactment, to award competitive grants to eligible entities from appropriated funds to create or align and implement career pathways using immersive technology that provide integrated education and training services leading to employment and economic self-sufficiency. Grant uses include (1) training students, including Armed Forces members and veterans, for in-demand industry sectors or occupations; (2) programs accessible to individuals with barriers to employment, compliant with title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and specified Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) nondiscrimination provisions; or (3) instructor training in immersive technology. Grants are for up to five years with no subsequent grant for the same purpose. In awarding grants, the Secretary must prioritize eligible entities that (1) partner or plan to partner with hiring-committed employers; (2) include a covered community college (i.e., public institution of higher education as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1001(a)) or area career and technical education school; or (3) demonstrate alignment with WIOA or Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act state or local plans, employer needs via data, targeting of in-demand sectors or occupations or displaced workers, service to those with barriers to employment, or rural communities (with additional priority for multiple factors). Grantees must report to the Secretary at two years into the grant and annually thereafter on programs and WIOA performance indicators disaggregated by participant characteristics; the Secretary must report biennially to Congress starting two years after the first grant. The Secretary must reserve 1-5% of annual funds for program evaluation and technical assistance and, after three years of a grant in coordination with grantees, establish and publicly post best practices for immersive technology in such programs.