H.R. 8304 — CREATES Act

This section states the purpose of the Act to provide assistance to states for the collection, development, analysis, and sharing of information on (1) all credentials offered in each state, (2) the quality of such credentials including their use by employers for employment decisions, (3) education and career pathways leading to such credentials and state occupations, and (4) sharing such information with individuals to enable informed education and career choices.

This section authorizes the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, to award competitive grants to states, from amounts made available under section 4, to establish, expand, or improve a state credential repository containing information on covered programs, credentials, and training providers in the state. Grants are for 3 years, not to exceed $10 million per state (with amounts based on the number of credentials and training providers), limited to one per state, and awarded within 90 days of application. States must apply with specified information and assurances, including plans for a repository meeting subsection (d) requirements, a data policy, products or tools developed under subsection (c)(1)(E), interoperability with other states' repositories, and ongoing maintenance. Grant funds must be used to (1) establish the repository through a public-input process; (2) create a data policy ensuring subsection (d) compliance; (3) assist training providers in collecting primary performance indicators under sec. 116(b)(2)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA); (4) provide guidance to counselors on repository use; and (5) develop or facilitate access to products, tools, services, or resources using repository data for workers, employers, educators, counselors, and policymakers. Excess funds may publicize the repository. The repository must be publicly accessible and (1) identify all state credentials and training providers; (2) include specified data on providers (quality indicators and credentials offered), covered programs (competencies, skills, enrollment costs), and credentials (providers, assessments and costs, credit recommendations, career pathways, outcomes such as earnings and employment, completion rates, and return on investment, job skills, and relevant industries/occupations); (3) align with WIOA eligible training provider lists, Perkins Career and Technical Education Act approvals, or Post-9/11 GI Bill processes; (4) update continuously for accuracy; and (5) use transparent, linked, open, interoperable data formats aligned with recognized standards (e.g., credential transparency description language).

This section authorizes appropriations of such sums as may be necessary for FY2028 to carry out the Act, with funds remaining available until September 30, 2029.