(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) “Children of current or former recipients” has the meaning stated in § 5–304 of this subtitle.
(3) “Former recipient” has the meaning stated in § 5–304 of this subtitle.
(4) “Foster youth” has the meaning stated in § 5–304 of this subtitle.
(5) “Obligor” has the meaning stated in § 10–101 of the Family Law Article.
(b) (1) In cooperation with the local directors, the Secretary shall establish a job skills enhancement program to provide newly employed current and former recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors with training to:
(i) enhance existing job–related skills;
(ii) gain additional or alternative job skills; or
(iii) learn interpersonal, communication, and other related skills.
(2) The job skills enhancement program shall be established in at least three counties, one of which shall be located in Western Maryland, Southern Maryland, or the Eastern Shore.
(c) The job skills enhancement program shall:
(1) target unskilled and semiskilled former and current recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors who are newly employed in entry–level positions that have limited potential for advancement beyond entry–level; or
(2) target job training for former and current recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors for employment in energy and environmental industries and construction, including:
(i) the energy–efficient building, construction, and retrofits industries;
(ii) the renewable electric power industry;
(iii) the energy efficient and advanced drive train vehicle industry;
(iv) the biofuels industry;
(v) the deconstruction and materials use industries;
(vi) the energy assessment industry serving the residential, commercial, or industrial sector;
(vii) the manufacturing industry that produces sustainable products using environmentally sustainable processes and materials;
(viii) the brownfields remediation industry;
(ix) the state of the art septic upgrades and sewage treatment industry;
(x) environmental restoration, including stream restoration, reforestation, invasive removal, and acid mine drainage;
(xi) state of the art storm water installation and retrofits;
(xii) agriculture conservation practices;
(xiii) the green roof industry and green roof maintenance industry; and
(xiv) sustainable landscaping.
(d) (1) Participation in the job skills enhancement program shall be voluntary.
(2) Individuals participating in the job skills enhancement program shall sign a training agreement with the local department.
(e) To be eligible to participate in the job skills enhancement program, an individual shall:
(1) (i) have been a recipient during the 36 months before beginning participation in the job skills enhancement program; or
(ii) be a former recipient, a child of a current or former recipient, a foster youth, or obligor;
(2) have been employed in entry–level employment for at least 6 months before beginning participation in the job skills enhancement program;
(3) provide employer validation or other documentation of employment status;
(4) have limited job skills; and
(5) have limited opportunity for advancement in the individual’s current employment.
(f) The local department shall contract for training services to be provided under the job skills enhancement program, as provided in § 5–306 of this subtitle.
(g) (1) The local department may work with businesses to train and place current and former recipients, children of current or former recipients, foster youth, and obligors in positions that meet the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(2) Participating businesses shall:
(i) provide employment with benefits paid to employees;
(ii) provide employment that has a defined career path;
(iii) demonstrate the active involvement and financial commitment of the business; and
(iv) provide a match with cash or in–kind contributions on at least a one–to–one basis.
(h) (1) At the discretion of the Secretary and in consultation with the local director, the job skills enhancement program shall be administered by the local department or through the State workforce development area system under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
(2) The Administrator of the program under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall:
(i) manage each participant’s training plan;
(ii) maintain a database of appropriate training vendors; and
(iii) compile necessary fiscal reports on the job skills enhancement program.
(i) In addition to any other funds available to fund the job skills enhancement program, the Secretary shall attempt to access funds available to the State under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and any other funds designed to reduce energy use and global warming emissions that would be available for job training in the industries listed under subsection (c)(2) of this section.