H.R. 4575: Jobs in the Woods Act (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill, known as the **Jobs in the Woods Act**, aims to address the workforce development needs specifically in the forestry sector through the establishment of a grant program by the Secretary of Agriculture.

Establishment of Grant Program

The bill mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to set up a competitive grant program that will provide financial support to eligible entities. These grants will be used to develop and implement career pathway training programs in forestry-related areas. The program must be established within one year from the bill’s enactment.

Grant Details

Grants awarded under this program will:

Last for a period of up to 4 years.
Range in amount from $500,000 to $2,000,000.

Eligibility Criteria for Applicants

Entities wishing to receive a grant must submit an application demonstrating:

Their capacity to carry out a career pathway training program.
A demonstrated need for such a program in their region.
Plans for program sustainability and implementation.
The projected reach of the program.

Priority will be given to applications that intend to address challenges such as an aging workforce and the migration of youth away from forestry careers. Proposals that involve partnerships with secondary schools, vocational or technical schools, or community colleges will also be prioritized.

Use of Funds

Grant recipients are required to utilize the funds specifically for implementing training programs related to forestry operations and forestry products industries.

Definitions

Several key terms are defined within the bill:

Career pathway: Refers to structured educational pathways leading to employment in a particular sector.
Eligible area: Areas classified as low-income, those with plans for broadband access, and locations with a small population (50,000 or fewer).
Eligible entity: These include nonprofit organizations, state governments, local governments, Indian tribes, and institutions of higher education.