SENATE BILL REPORT

SSCR 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 Amended by House, April 9, 2009

Brief Description: Providing for the 2008-2018 state comprehensive plan for workforce training.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development (originally sponsored by Senators Kilmer, Jarrett, Hewitt, Delvin, Jacobsen, Shin and Pflug; by request of Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board).

Committee Activity: Higher Education & Workforce Development: 2/03/09, 2/13/09 [DPS].

Passed Senate: 3/12/09, 49-0.Passed House: 4/09/09, 98-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8404 be substituted therefor, and the substitute concurrent resolution do pass.

Signed by Senators Kilmer, Chair; Becker, Ranking Minority Member; Jacobsen, Jarrett, Kastama, McAuliffe, Pflug, Shin and Stevens.

Staff: Aldo Melchiori (786-7439)

Background: The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board’s (WTECB) mission is to bring business, labor, and the public sector together to shape strategies to best meet the state and local workforce and employer needs of Washington with the goal of creating and sustaining a high-skill, high-wage economy. The WTECB is required to produce a state comprehensive plan for workforce training and education (plan) that is updated every two years and presented to the Governor and the appropriate legislative policy committees. After public hearings, the Legislature must, by concurrent resolution, approve or recommend changes to the plan and the updates. The plan then becomes the state's workforce training policy.The plan must include workforce training role and mission statements for the workforce development programs of operating agencies represented on the board and sufficient specificity regarding expected actions by the operating agencies to allow them to carry out actions consistent with the comprehensive plan. The plan must also include recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor on the modification, consolidation, initiation, or elimination of workforce training and education programs in the state. Finally, the plan must address how the state's workforce development system will meet the needs of employers hiring for industrial projects of statewide significance.

Summary of Substitute Bill: The Senate and the House of Representatives approve the state comprehensive plan for workforce training.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This is a consensus plan proposed by business, labor, and the public sector together. It was developed with an eye toward aligning employer and employee needs in this changing learning and economic environment.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Eleni Papadakis, WTECB.

House Amendment(s): It is clarified that the state comprehensive workforce plan will focus on employee education and training needs that provide transferrable skills that are generally marketable and lead to advancement for low-skilled workers. The Legislature recommends that the next state comprehensive workforce plan include jobs that build a green economy and the renewable energy industry.