Recipients shall use grant amounts for:
training related to maritime or energy transportation, logistics, and supply chain management or to shipbuilding and ship repair;
enhancement of academic and workforce training programs for maritime and energy employment;
salary supplementation for faculty in maritime or energy training and education;
operation and maintenance of maritime or energy related equipment and technology for use in instructional programs;
acquisition of marine vessels and other assets and equipment for use in maritime or energy related training and education;
renovation or construction of buildings to house maritime or energy training and education programs; and
tuition reimbursement for successful completion of a maritime or energy course, program, or certification.
The bill defines an "eligible institution" as a community college or other public postsecondary educational institution located in close proximity to marine or port facilities in the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, or Great Lakes that offers a maritime training and education program and that has an established association with a port authority and appropriate government agencies.
DOE shall award a grant to to enable up to 10 eligible institutions to: (1) establish Centers of Excellence in Maritime and Energy Workforce Technical Training; and (2) improve and expand maritime and energy workforce training opportunities for veterans, members of the Armed Forces, federal employees, and civilians by implementing new programs in specified training areas, including port related transportation systems and job placement in maritime and energy related employment fields.