Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Labor & Workforce Development Committee

HB 1823

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 Summary of Bill

Expands the role of Centers of Excellence to include acting as central sources of information for business in targeted industries and working with K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and apprenticeship programs.
Expands the list of entities the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges must consult with when designating and funding Centers of Excellence.

Background:

A "Center of Excellence" (Center) is a community or technical college designated by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (State Board) as a statewide leader in industry-specific workforce education and training.

The State Board designates Centers and allocates funds to new and existing Centers on a competitive basis. In making its designations, the State Board must consult with business, industry, labor, certain state agencies, and educational institutions. The State Board gives priority to applicants with established programs serving a targeted industry cluster within the region.

The role of the Centers is to employ strategies to create educational efficiencies, build a diverse workforce for strategic industries, and develop innovative curriculum and ways of delivering education and training. The Centers act as brokers of information and resources related to community and technical college education.

Centers work with employers, other colleges, career and technical education programs in regional high schools, skill centers, and labor representatives to develop curriculum and training programs and to promote best practices in education and training to support the targeted industry.

Summary of Bill:

In designating and allocating funds to Centers of Excellence (Centers), the State Board must also consult with the Council of Presidents and institutions of higher education, which include state and regional universities.

In addition to the current priority list, priority is given to applicants that have networked effectively with both secondary and baccalaureate institutions on developing a talent pipeline for the targeted industry.

The role of Centers is expanded to include being central sources of information on education and training services available to meet the needs of strategic industry sectors and acting as a communication conduit to Washington's education system about industry trends. The Centers must work with K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and apprenticeship programs when acting as brokers of information and resources. The Centers must engage employer and labor representatives from strategic industries in identifying industry needs; identify industry skill standards and industry-based certifications; facilitate the creation of model programs of study that prepare students for careers in strategic industries; and coordinate with industry assistance organizations to connect businesses with needed services.

The Centers must seek federal funds, private gifts, and grants to supplement state resources for the purposes of performing the roles and strategies required.