SB 5048-S - DIGEST
(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 2/18/2009)

Provides for coordination of workforce and economic development.

Requires the employment security department to analyze labor market and economic data, including the use of input-output models, for the purpose of identifying industry clusters and strategic industry clusters that meet the criteria identified by the working group convened by the economic development commission and the workforce training and education coordinating board in RCW 43.330.280.

Requires the state board for community and technical colleges, in consultation with business, industry, labor, the workforce training and education coordinating board, the department of community, trade, and economic development, the employment security department, and community and technical colleges, to designate centers of excellence and allocate funds to existing and new centers of excellence based on a competitive basis.

Requires the workforce training and education coordinating board to work with the director of the department of community, trade, and economic development and the economic development commission to ensure coordination among workforce training priorities, the long-term economic development strategy of the economic development commission, and economic development and entrepreneurial development efforts, including but not limited to assistance to industry clusters.

Directs the state comprehensive plan for workforce training and education to identify the strategic industry clusters targeted by the workforce development system.

Requires workforce development councils, in partnership with local elected officials, to develop and maintain a local unified plan for the workforce development system including but not limited to the local plan required by P.L. 105-220, Title I.

Requires the workforce training and education coordinating board to work with workforce development councils to develop implementation and funding strategies.