The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Applicant.” Any of the following:

“Capital investment.” An expenditure for land, buildings, renovations, machinery and equipment which is directly related to the need for the proposed training.

“Economic development organization.” An entity certified by the department. The term includes “area loan organizations” and “industrial development corporations” as defined in section 2301.¹

“Educational institution.” Any of the following:

“Greenhouse.” A nonprofit organization recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3)) which is formed for the express purpose of creating university/business partnerships to advance science and technology and to support economic and work force development.

“Industrial resource center.” An industrial resource center as defined in the act of June 22, 2001 (P.L. 400, No. 31),³ known as the Industrial Resources Center Partnership Act.

“Labor organization.” An organization, agency or employee representation committee or plan in which employees participate and which exists for the purpose, in whole or in part, of dealing with disputes between an employer and its employees involving grievances, labor disputes, wages, rates of pay, hours of employment or conditions of work. The term does not include an organization, agency, committee or plan which practices discrimination in membership because of race, color, creed, national origin, sex or political affiliation.

“Local education agency.” An educational institution located in the Commonwealth and certified by the Department of Education.

“Local work force investment board.” An entity recommended for certification by the Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board and certified by the Governor in accordance with the act of December 18, 2001 (P.L. 949, No. 114),⁴ known as the Workforce Development Act.

“Private company.” A business, professional service company or other enterprise. The term may include a group of two or more private companies operating as a consortium in order to take advantage of a common training program. The term shall not include point-of-sale retail businesses.

“Program.” The Customized Job Training Program established under this chapter.

“Trainee.” An individual who is an employee or prospective employee and is enrolled in an eligible training program which is designed to enable the individual to obtain or retain employment.

“Training program.” A systematic program which is designed to provide a trainee with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet a private company's or labor organization's specifications for an occupation or trade, the successful completion of which results in one of the following:

The program may involve instruction within a local education agency, within a private company or on-the-job training, within a training program of a labor organization, through technology-based instruction or any combination thereof.