(a)      The Secretary, in cooperation with the directors of local departments of social services, shall establish a job skills enhancement pilot program in at least three counties, one of which shall be located in Western Maryland, Southern Maryland, or the Eastern Shore, to provide newly employed current and former FIP recipients with training in order for them to:

            (1)      Enhance their existing job-related skills;

            (2)      Gain additional or alternative job skills; or

            (3)      Learn interpersonal, communication, and other related skills.

      (b)      The job skills enhancement program shall target unskilled and semiskilled former and current FIP recipients who are newly employed in entry-level positions that have limited potential for advancement beyond entry level.

      (c)      (1)      Participation in the job skills enhancement program shall be voluntary.

            (2)      Individuals participating in the job skills enhancement program shall sign a training agreement with the local department.

      (d)      To be eligible to participate in the job skills enhancement program, an individual shall:

            (1)      Have been a FIP recipient within the previous 36 months of the date the individual proposes to begin participation in the job skills enhancement program;

            (2)      Have been employed in entry-level employment for at least 6 months from the date the individual proposes to begin participation in the job skills enhancement program;

            (3)      Provide employer validation or other documentation of employment status;

            (4)      Possess limited job skills; and

            (5)      Have limited opportunity for advancement in current employment.

      (e)      The local department shall contract for training services that are to be provided under the job skills enhancement program, as provided in § 47(a) of this subtitle.

      (f)      (1)      The local department may work with businesses to train and place former FIP recipients in positions that meet the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection.

            (2)      Participating businesses shall:

                  (i)      Provide employment with benefits paid to employees;

                  (ii)      Provide former FIP recipients employment that has a defined career path;

                  (iii)      Demonstrate the active involvement and financial commitment of the business; and

                  (iv)      Provide a match with cash, or in-kind contributions, on at least a one-to-one basis.

      (g)      (1)      At the discretion of the Secretary, in consultation with the local department director, the job skills enhancement program shall be administered by the local department or through the State service delivery area system under the Workforce Investment Act.

            (2)      As part of their administrative responsibilities under paragraph (1) of this subsection, a local department or persons at a service delivery area location shall:

                  (i)      Manage each participant's training plan;

                  (ii)      Maintain a database of appropriate training vendors; and

                  (iii)      Compile necessary fiscal reports on the job skills enhancement program.