S. 4371 — TECH Act

This section expands eligibility for four federal grant programs—(1) Strengthening Institutions Program under part A of title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965, (2) Federal TRIO Program under chapter 1 of subpart 2 of part A of title IV of that Act, (3) Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Program under section 419N of that Act, and (4) Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants Program under section 169(c) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act—to include qualified technical schools to the same extent and on the same basis as 2-year and 4-year institutions of higher education. (Qualified technical schools are postsecondary vocational institutions offering eligible job training programs of 150 to less than 600 clock hours over 8 to less than 15 weeks, or equivalent credit hours, in sectors essential for national security, public safety, supply chain security, transportation, critical manufacturing or infrastructure, healthcare, or public health; such programs may be part of eligible career pathway programs and must lead to employer-recognized credentials meeting hiring, licensure, or certification requirements.) Directs the Secretaries of Education and Labor, not later than 180 days after enactment, to modify eligibility criteria and application procedures for these programs and to issue guidance on grant distribution ensuring workforce pipelines for the specified sectors and occupations. Requires the Secretary of Education to approve eligible job training programs within 60 days of submission, subject to state board certification.