READ FIRST TIME 02/06/12.   

     AN ACT Relating to the coordination and evaluation of workforce training for aerospace and materials manufacturing; amending RCW 28B.122.010, 28B.122.020, 28B.122.040, 28B.122.050, and 28B.122.060; adding a new section to chapter 28B.50 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28C.18 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that a skilled workforce is essential for employers and job seekers to compete and grow Washington's aerospace industry as part of the global economy. The legislature intends to improve coordination of the state's training system for skilled aerospace workers in order to provide better alignment with industry needs in the present and over the long term for both two-year training programs, short-term training, and relevant apprenticeship programs to keep pace with a rapidly changing industry. The legislature further intends to increase aerospace skill development and education and training programs and help increase jobs for Washington's citizens.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28B.50 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The state board for community and technical colleges, in collaboration with aerospace or advanced materials long-term training providers, short-term training providers whose mission is focused on customized and innovative short-term training, and apprenticeship program providers, shall facilitate coordination and alignment of aerospace training programs to the maximum extent possible. This coordination and alignment shall include but not be limited to the following activities:
     (a) Providing up-to-date information about the aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing training programs in the state;
     (b) Providing information about grants and partnership opportunities;
     (c) Providing coordination for professional development for faculty and other education and training providers;
     (d) Evaluating programs identified by the aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing pipeline advisory committee annually for completion and job placement results; and
     (e) Making budget recommendations to the governor and the legislature specific to the aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing training programs.
     (2) The state board for community and technical colleges shall establish an aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing pipeline advisory committee consisting of not less than eleven nor more than fifteen members. A majority of members shall represent industry with the chair selected by the committee from among the industry members. Members of the advisory committee shall also include at least two persons representing labor who represent aerospace or advanced materials production workers and also include education and training providers including, but not limited to, the director of a long-term training program, the director of a short-term training program whose mission is to focus on customized and innovative short-term training, and the director of an apprenticeship program. The advisory committee's duties include but are not limited to:
     (a) Providing direction for a skills gap analysis that is: (i) Produced with the workforce training and education coordinating board using data developed through the education data center; and (ii) consistent with the joint assessment by the higher education coordinating board or its successor, the state board for community and technical colleges, and the workforce training and education coordinating board of the number and type of higher education and training credentials required to match employer demand for a skilled and educated workforce;
     (b) Establishing goals for students served, program completion rates, and employment rates;
     (c) Coordinating and disseminating industry advice for aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing training programs; and
     (d) Recommending training programs for review by the workforce training and education coordinating board in coordination with the state board for community and technical colleges.
     (3) All requirements in this section are subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for the specific purposes described.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 28C.18 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By September 1, 2012, and each September 1st thereafter, the workforce training and education coordinating board, working with the state board for community and technical colleges, shall evaluate the programs recommended for review by the aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing pipeline advisory committee under section 2 of this act. This evaluation shall include the outcome results both for the persons receiving the training and the employers.
     (2) By September 1, 2016, and every four years thereafter, the workforce training and education coordinating board shall conduct and complete an analysis of the results of the training system for aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing. This analysis shall include but not be limited to a specific net-impact and cost-benefit evaluation of the training system for the aerospace and advanced materials manufacturing industry and the outcome results both for the persons receiving the training and the employers.
     (3) All requirements in this section are subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for the specific purposes described.

Sec. 4   RCW 28B.122.010 and 2011 c 8 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Aerospace training or educational program" means a course in the aerospace industry offered ((either)) by the Washington aerospace training and research center ((or)), the Spokane aerospace technology center, or Renton technical college.
     (2) (("Board" means the higher education coordinating board.
     (3))) "Eligible student" means a student who is registered for an aerospace training or educational program, is making satisfactory progress as defined by the program, and has a declared intention to work in the aerospace industry in the state of Washington.
     (3) "Office" means the office of student financial assistance.
     (4) "Participant" means an eligible student who has received an aerospace training student loan.
     (5) "Student loan" means a loan that is approved by the ((board)) office and awarded to an eligible student.

Sec. 5   RCW 28B.122.020 and 2011 c 8 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The aerospace training student loan program is established.
     (2) The program shall be designed in consultation with representatives of aerospace employers, aerospace workers, and aerospace training or educational programs.
     (3) The program shall be administered by the ((board)) office. In administering the program, the ((board)) office has the following powers and duties:
     (a) To screen and select, in coordination with representatives of aerospace training or educational programs, eligible students to receive an aerospace training student loan;
     (b) To consider an eligible student's financial inability to meet the total cost of the aerospace training or educational program in the selection process;
     (c) To issue low-interest student loans;
     (d) To establish an annual loan limit equal to the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid received;
     (e) To define the terms of repayment, including applicable interest rates, fees, and deferments;
     (f) To collect and manage repayments from students who do not meet their obligations under this chapter;
     (g) To solicit and accept grants and donations from public and private sources for the program; and
     (h) To adopt necessary rules.

Sec. 6   RCW 28B.122.040 and 2011 c 8 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     The ((board)) office may award aerospace training student loans to eligible students from the funds available in the aerospace training student loan account for this program. The amount of the student loan awarded an individual may not exceed tuition and fees for the program of study.

Sec. 7   RCW 28B.122.050 and 2011 c 8 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The aerospace training student loan account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. No appropriation is required for expenditures of funds from the account for student loans. An appropriation is required for expenditures of funds from the account for costs associated with program administration by the ((board)) office. The account is not subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW.
     (2) The ((board)) office shall deposit into the account all moneys received for the program. The account shall be self-sustaining and consist of moneys received for the program by the ((board)) office, and receipts from participant repayments, including principal and interest.
     (3) Expenditures from the account may be used solely for student loans to participants in the program established by this chapter and costs associated with program administration by the ((board)) office.
     (4) Disbursements from the account may be made only on the authorization of the ((board)) office.

Sec. 8   RCW 28B.122.060 and 2011 c 8 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The ((board)) office, in collaboration with aerospace training or educational programs, shall submit an annual report regarding the aerospace training student loan program to the governor and to the appropriate committees of the legislature.
     (2) The annual report shall describe the design and implementation of the aerospace training student loan program, and shall include the following:
     (a) The number of applicants for loans;
     (b) The number of participants in the loan program;
     (c) The number of participants in the loan program who complete an aerospace training or educational program;
     (d) The number of participants in the loan program who are placed in employment;
     (e) The nature of that employment, including: (i) The type of job; (ii) whether the job is full-time, part-time, or temporary; (iii) whether the job pays annual wages that are: (A) Less than thirty thousand dollars; (B) thirty thousand dollars or greater, but less than sixty thousand dollars; or (C) sixty thousand dollars or more; and
     (f) Demographic profiles of applicants for loans and participants in the loan programs.
     (3) The annual report shall be submitted by December 1st of each year after July 22, 2011.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 9   Sections 4 through 8 of this act take effect July 1, 2012.