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<section article="gle" article_name="Labor and Employment" number="11-701" title_number="11" title_name="Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Maryland Employment Advancement Right Now Program">
  <level label="a">
    <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>“Credential” means a recognized:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>educational diploma;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>certificate or degree;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>occupational license;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>apprenticeship certificate;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>industry recognized certification; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>award for skills attainment and completion, issued by an approved training provider in the State or third–party credential provider.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>“High–demand occupation” means an occupation that:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>has a significant presence within target industries;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>is in demand by employers; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>pays or leads to payment of a family sustaining wage.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>“Identifiable skill” means the attainment of proficiency in a specific work–related skill that is likely to lead to future job advancement and improvement in an individual’s earning potential.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <level label="1">
      <text>“Job readiness training” means training for the purpose of assisting and supporting jobseekers in overcoming individual barriers to employment and developing the skills necessary to maintain employment and to qualify for skills training opportunities.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“Job readiness training” includes:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>occupational skills development;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>GED preparation;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>literacy advancement;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>financial stability services, including financial coaching;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>credit counseling;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>transportation; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vii">
        <text>child care.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>“Local board” means a local workforce development board established to administer services in a workforce development area established under Subtitle 5 of this title.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="g">
    <text>“Maryland EARN Program” means the Maryland Employment Advancement Right Now Program created under this subtitle.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="h">
    <text>“Strategic industry partnership” means a collaboration that brings together a regional group that may include employers, nonprofits, institutions of higher education, community colleges, local boards, local governments, or other relevant partners to:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>identify common workforce needs for high–demand occupations within a target industry; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>develop and implement industry strategies to meet the common workforce needs and shortages based on regional needs.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="i">
    <text>“Target industry” means a group of employers closely linked by a common product or service, workforce skills, similar technologies, supply chains, or other economic ties.</text>
  </level>
</section>
