HB 3210

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS

Higher Education Committee

HB 3210

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.

Brief Description: Requiring the workforce training and education coordinating board to develop a state comprehensive plan.

Sponsors: Representatives Jarrett, Wallace, Chase, Kenney and Seaquist.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board to prepare a comprehensive plan for a ten-year period and submit updates to the plan every four years.

Hearing Date: 1/30/08

Staff: Cece Clynch (786-7195).

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 the Legislature concerning the training system. It is a tripartite partnership of business, labor and government with a membership of eleven.

The WTECB updates its comprehensive plan every two years. The Legislature is required, following public hearings, to approve or make changes to the plan updates by way of a concurrent resolution. Once so approved, the plan becomes the state's workforce training policy unless legislation is enacted to alter the policies set forth in the plan. Every year, by December 1, the WTECB reports to the appropriate legislative policy committees on progress in implementing the comprehensive plan.

In 2007, by way of a concurrent resolution (SCR 8404), the Legislature approved the WTECBs two year comprehensive plan, High Skills, High Wages 2006: Washington's Strategic Plan for Workforce Development. That comprehensive plan included the following strategic opportunities for the ensuing two year period:

increasing high school graduation rates;
expanding the availability of career pathways that span secondary and postsecondary education and training;
increasing postsecondary training capacity;
increasing financial aid and retention support for workforce education students;
increasing Adult Basic Education Skills and English as a Second Language instruction that is integrated with occupational skills training;
improving coordination between workforce and economic development in key economic clusters;
expanding and sustaining skill panels;
expanding customized training for current workers;
expanding the availability of the Work Readiness Credential; and
developing state and local agreements on service integration.

Summary of Bill:

The future time period covered by the WTECB comprehensive plan is lengthened from two years to ten years. The WTECB is to develop a state comprehensive plan for workforce training and education for a ten-year time period, with updates every four years.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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