Brief Description: Authorizing job skills program grants to businesses assisting Washington manufacturers.

Sponsors: Representatives Kilmer, Haler, Morrell, Linville, Green, Ormsby, Wallace, Upthegrove, McCoy, Ericks, Simpson, Roberts and Springer.

Hearing Date: 1/26/06

Staff: Nina Oman (786-7152).

Background:

Job Skills Program
The Job Skills Program is currently administered by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC). The program provides customized short-term training designated for specific industries. It can provide training for prospective employees before a new plant opens or when existing industry expands, or can train or retrain workers already employed.

The SBCTC currently provides job skills grants only to educational institutions. The grants must be matched by a partner employer with an in kind or cash donation.

The job skills program was funded at $2.95 million per biennium for 2003-05 and 2005-07. In 2005-07, $1 million of those funds is directed to the Boeing 787 program and can be carried over to future biennia if not entirely expended.

Manufacturing Competitiveness Corporations
"Manufacturing competitiveness corporations" are described in the bill as private nonprofits with the mission to "operate a modernization extension system, coordinate a network of public and private modernization resources, and stimulate the competitiveness of small and midsize manufacturers in Washington."

Summary of Bill:

The SBCTC may provide private nonprofit corporations known as "Washington manufacturing competitiveness corporations" with job skills grants.

Appropriation: The sum of $1 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 19, 2006.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.