Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Labor & Workforce Development Committee |
HCR 4403
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: Concerning the workforce training and education coordinating board's high skills high wages plan.
Sponsors: Representatives Sells, Seaquist, Manweller, Haler, Moscoso, Hansen, Reykdal, Wylie, Santos, Hayes, Fagan, Condotta, Smith, Pollet, Maxwell, Ormsby, Ryu, Morrell, Parker and Riccelli; by request of Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/12/13
Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).
Background:
The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (Workforce Board) 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.
The Workforce Board is required to develop and maintain a ten-year state comprehensive plan for workforce training and education. The plan must establish goals, objectives, and priorities for the state training system.
Every four years, the Workforce Board must provide the Legislature and the Governor with an update of the state comprehensive plan. The Legislature, after public hearings, must approve or recommend changes to the plan and the updates by way of a concurrent resolution. Once approved, the plan becomes the state's workforce training policy unless legislation is enacted to alter the policies set forth in the plan.
The most recently updated plan, called "High Skills, High Wages 2012-2022," includes the following goals and objectives:
improving career and education guidance for students;
increasing workplace and life skills development;
expanding programs of study for career-focused courses;
increasing workplace experiences;
addressing student retention;
prioritizing job search and placement for people in first careers;
increasing employer engagement with the system by improving outreach;
promoting economic development and encouraging investing in strategic economic opportunities;
expanding learning opportunities for workers at all stages of the education and career paths;
improving the quality and speed of job matching and referrals;
strengthening performance accountability by focusing on employment and earnings outcomes;
reducing barriers to sharing or splitting funding and establishing cost-sharing practices.
Summary of Bill:
The House of Representatives and the Senate, by way of concurrent resolution, approve the state comprehensive plan for workforce training.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.