BILL REQ. #:  Z-0840.1 

Read first time 12/07/11.   Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

     AN ACT Relating to the coordination and evaluation of workforce training for aerospace and materials manufacturing; adding a new section to chapter 28B.50 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28C.18 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that a skilled workforce is essential for employers and job seekers to compete and grow Washington's aerospace industry as part of the global economy. The legislature finds that improved coordination of the state's training system for skilled aerospace workers will provide better alignment with industry needs and help increase jobs for Washington's citizens. The legislature further finds that, through outcome-based evaluations of the aerospace skill development and education and training programs, accountability will be increased and the training programs will keep pace with a rapidly changing industry.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28B.50 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The center of excellence for aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing, established under RCW 28B.50.902, shall conduct the following activities in addition to those required under RCW 28B.50.902(3):
     (a) Serve as a repository of up-to-date information about the aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing training programs in the state;
     (b) Develop and maintain data in partnership with industry about the demand for training and the current job openings and projected future job openings for people successfully completing the training in aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing and related fields;
     (c) Provide information about grants and partnerships;
     (d) Provide coordination for professional development for training providers; and
     (e) Coordinate and facilitate methods for training programs to obtain industry certification and meet industry standards.
     (2) The center of excellence for aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing shall create an aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing pipeline advisory committee with a majority of the members representing industry. Members of the advisory committee shall also include education and training providers. The advisory committee's duties include but are not limited to:
     (a) Providing direction for a skills gap analysis that is produced jointly by the center of excellence and the board using data developed through the education data center;
     (b) Establishing the goals for program completion and employment rates and earnings targets for aerospace skill areas and the related education and training programs;
     (c) Coordinating industry involvement and contributions to training programs; and
     (d) Recommending specific training programs for review by the board in coordination with the college board under section 3 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 28C.18 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The board, working with the state board for community and technical colleges, shall evaluate the programs identified by the aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing pipeline advisory committee under section 2 of this act. This evaluation shall be conducted annually for the training programs selected and shall include the outcome results both for the persons receiving the training and the employers.
     (2) Every four years, beginning in September 2016, the board shall conduct an analysis of the results of the training system for aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing. This analysis shall include but not be limited to a specific net-impact and cost-benefit evaluation of the training system for the aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing industry.