# What This Bill Does

This bill makes changes to how the government supports people who want to start their own businesses. Right now, the federal workforce development system focuses mainly on helping people find jobs working for employers. This bill expands that focus to also include entrepreneurship—helping people develop the skills and knowledge they need to start and run their own small businesses.

The bill does this in a few practical ways. First, it tells state workforce boards that they need to think about entrepreneurs as part of their mission, not just job seekers. Second, it requires local workforce programs to provide information about starting a business and connect people to microenterprise services (which help very small businesses get started). Third, it makes sure that organizations teaching entrepreneurial skills are recognized as legitimate training providers that can work within the existing workforce system. This means people using job training programs could potentially get help exploring self-employment as an option.

The main new thing this bill creates is a three-year research study to figure out what actually works when it comes to teaching entrepreneurial skills. The study will look at successful practices, how to mentor new business owners, what qualifications trainers should have, and whether these programs actually lead to successful businesses and job creation. Importantly, it will track how much money people are making three years after completing an entrepreneurship program—giving us real data on whether this type of training actually helps people build sustainable businesses. The study will also look at how these programs affect local economies and job creation in their communities.

To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to authorize a study to review specific outcomes of entrepreneurial skills development programs, and for other purposes.

Allen, Rick W.

 <p>This bill requires states to incorporate into their career services programs (1) information about entrepreneurship, and (2) referrals to microenterprise services. It also requires the Department of Labor to conduct a multistate study of entrepreneurial skills development programs, including a review of successful practices for developing such skills.</p>