Training and Education

Note: Except as indicated, all references in this document are to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. 117-58 (Nov. 15, 2021).

Program Purpose

The BIL continues FHWA’s training and education programs, which promote and support national transportation programs and activities.

Statutory Citation

• § 13007; 23 U.S.C. 502, 504

Funding Features

Funded by contract authority from the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund. Funds are available until expended. At the request of the State, the Secretary may transfer funds apportioned or allocated to that State under chapter 5 of Title 23, United States Code (U.S.C.), to another State or to FHWA to fund research, development and technology transfer activities of mutual interest on a pooled fund basis. Funds are subject to the overall Federal-aid obligation limitation

Federal Share

The Federal share is 80%, unless otherwise determined by the Secretary, with the following exceptions:

• 50% Federal share for Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) centers. States also may use State Planning and Research funds or funds under 23 U.S.C. 504(e) as the non-Federal share for LTAP centers. [23 U.S.C. 504(b)(3)(A)]
• 100% Federal share for Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP) centers. [23 U.S.C. 504(b)(3)(B)]
• Up to 100% Federal share for the Freight Planning Capacity Building Program. [23 U.S.C. 504(g)(5)]
• 100% Federal share for funds apportioned for the National Highway Performance Program, the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, Highway Safety Improvement Program, and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program used for the Surface Transportation Workforce Development, Training, and Education Program, except that if a State uses these funds for an LTAP center, the Federal share is 50%. [23 U.S.C. 504(e)(2)]

Program Features

The BIL continues the manner in which FHWA administers programs under 23 U.S.C. 502 and 504, with the following exceptions (noted in boldface type):

Surface Transportation Workforce Development, Training, and Education Program

• In addition to existing eligible activities, and subject to project approval by the Secretary, a State may obligate funds apportioned to the State for the National Highway Performance Program, the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, Highway Safety Improvement Program, and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program for –
  • pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, and career opportunities for on-the-job training;
  • university, college, community college, or vocational school support;
  • activities associated with workforce training and employment services, such as targeted outreach and partnerships with industry, economic development organizations, workforce development boards, and labor organizations;
  • activities that address current workforce gaps, such as work on construction projects, of State and local transportation agencies;
  • activities to develop a robust surface transportation workforce with new skills resulting from emerging transportation technologies; and
  • activities to attract new sources of job-creating investment. [§ 13007; 23 U.S.C. 504(e)]

Transportation Education and Training Development and Deployment Program

• The Secretary shall make grants to educational institutions or State departments of transportation, in partnership with industry and relevant Federal departments and agencies. [§ 13007; 23 U.S.C. 504(f)(1)]
• Grants shall be used to –
• develop, test, and review new curricula and education programs to train individuals at all levels of the transportation workforce; or
• to implement the new curricula and education programs to provide for hands-on career opportunities to meet current and future needs. [§ 13007; 23 U.S.C. 504(f)(1)]
• In selecting applications for awards, the Secretary may consider –
• the degree to which the new curricula or education program meets the specific current or future needs of a segment of the transportation industry, States, or regions;
• providing for practical experience and on-the-job training;
• proposals oriented toward practitioners in the field rather than the support and growth of the research community;
• the degree to which the new curricula or program will provide training in areas other than engineering, such as business administration, economics, information technology, environmental science, and law;
• programs or curricula that train professionals for work in the transportation field, such as construction, materials, information technology, environmental science, urban planning, and industrial or emerging technology; and
• the commitment of industry or a State's department of transportation to the program. [§ 13007; 23 U.S.C. 504(f)(2)]
• The Secretary shall establish minimum reporting requirements for grant recipients under 23 U.S.C. 504(f), which may include, with respect to a program carried out with a grant under 23 U.S.C. 504(f)–
• the percentage or number of program participants that are employed during the second quarter after exiting the program;
• the percentage or number of program participants that are employed during the fourth quarter after exiting the program;
• the median earnings of program participants that are employed during the second quarter after exiting the program;
• the percentage or number of program participants that obtain a recognized postsecondary credential or a secondary school diploma (or a recognized equivalent) during participation in the program or by not later than 1 year after exiting the program; and
• the percentage or number of program participants that, during a program year–
• are in an education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential or employment; and
• are achieving measurable skill gains toward such a credential or employment.
  [§ 13007; 23 U.S.C. 504(f)(3)]

Use of Funds

• The Secretary may use funds made available to carry out 23 U.S.C. 504 to carry out activities related to workforce development and technical assistance and training if–
• the activities are authorized by another provision of Title 23, U.S.C.; and
• the activities are for entities other than employees of the Secretary, such as States, units of local government, Federal land management agencies, and Tribal governments.
  [§ 13007; 23 U.S.C. 504(i)]

Additional Information and Assistance

• FHWA can connect you with your local FHWA office and support you with technical assistance for planning, design, construction, preserving, and improving public roads and in the stewardship of Federal funds. For assistance, visit: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bipartisan-infrastructure-law/technical_support.cfm