SCR 8404

HOUSE BILL REPORT
SCR 8404

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed House:
April 12, 2007

Brief Description: Approving the 2006 update to the state comprehensive plan for workforce training.

Sponsors: By Senators Shin, Delvin and Kilmer; by request of Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.

Brief History:

Higher Education: 3/19/07, 3/21/07 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 4/12/07, 93-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requests approval of the 2006 update to the state comprehensive plan, High Skills, High Wages.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Wallace, Chair; Sells, Vice Chair; Anderson, Ranking Minority Member; Buri, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Hasegawa, Jarrett, McIntire and Roberts.

Staff: Jennifer Thornton (786-7111).

Background:

The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (WTECB) was created in 1991 to provide planning, coordination, evaluation, monitoring, and policy analysis for the state workforce training system as a whole, and to advise the Governor and Legislature concerning the training system.

The WTECB updates the State Comprehensive Plan for Workforce Training and Education (Comprehensive Plan) every two years. The Legislature is required, following public hearings, to approve or make changes to the updates. The provisions of the Comprehensive Plan and its updates that are approved by the Legislature become the state's workforce policy unless legislation is enacted to alter the policies.

The Comprehensive Plan includes the following strategic opportunities for the next two years:

increase high school graduation rates;
expand the availability of career pathways that span secondary and post-secondary education and training;
increase post-secondary education and training capacity;
increase financial aid and retention support for workforce education students;
increase adult basic education skills and English language instruction that is

integrated with occupational skills training;

improve coordination between workforce and economic development in key economic clusters;
expand and sustain skill panels;
expand customized training for current workers;
expand the availability of a work readiness credential; and
develop state and local agreements on service integration to improve services to customers.

Summary of Bill:

The House of Representatives and the Senate approve the 2006 update to the state Comprehensive Plan, High Skills, High Wages, that is submitted by the WTECB.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This resolution is the 2006 update to High Skills, High Wages and is required by the WTECB. This is the eighth time the WTECB has updated the state's strategic plan for workforce and economic development, and an unprecedented number of people representing workforce development, economic development, education and the community from all over the state participated in its development. It addressed issues including the high drop-out rate, job skills programs, and skills panels. This plan makes so much sense, and the resolution is important because it provides additional visibility for the plan, shows that the Legislature is behind it, and provides information outlining which entities are responsible for carrying out the strategies identified in the plan.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Senator Shin, prime sponsor; Mike Hudson, Eleni Papadakis, and Madeleine Thompson, Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.