What stays the same?

TEA-21, like ISTEA, continues to provide that states may set aside up to 2 of 1% of Surface Transportation Program (highway) and Bridge Program funding for On-the-Job Training Supportive Services (OJT/SS). TEA 21 also continues to provide that the Secretary of Transportation may use up to $10 million per fiscal year for developing, conducting, and administering OJT/SS programs.

As under ISTEA, states may use TEA-21 2 of 1% monies to provide:

• pre-employment counseling
• orientation to the expectations and requirements of the highway construction industry
• basic skills improvement
• support for contractor recruiting, counseling, remedial training, and physical examinations
• assistance with transportation, child care and other special needs
• jobsite mentoring and post-graduation follow-up
• many other services

What is new?

TEA-21 broadens the scope of OJT/SS programs to include technology training (research, intelligent transportation systems, etc.). [1208(b)(1)(A)]

TEA-21 also expands the statutory purposes for which OJT/SS funding may be used to include the development and funding of Summer Transportation Institutes, including the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Transportation and Civil Engineering program. [1208(b)(1)(B)]

TEA-21 changes the source of funding from which the Secretary of Transportation may deduct up to $10 million per year for developing, conducting, and administering OJT/SS programs from apportionments under Section 104(b) to the Surface Transportation Program. [1208(b)(2)]. (This means that the Secretary may elect to distribute some/all of these monies to State Highway Agencies (SHA's) to carry out these objectives.)