5048-S.E AMH WILC SOBO 057

ESSB 5048 - H AMD TO H AMD (H-2540.1/17) 345

By Representative Wilcox

WITHDRAWN 03/31/2017

    On page 219, line 26, increase the general fund-state appropriation for fiscal year 2018 by $110,000

    On page 219, line 27, increase the general fund-state appropriation for fiscal year 2019 by $61,000

    On page 219, line 30, correct the total.

    On page 220, after line 9, insert the following:

    "(4) (a) $110,000 of the general fund-state appropriation for fiscal year 2018 and $61,000 of the general fund-state appropriation for fiscal year 2019 are provided solely for a workforce assessment for the agriculture, natural resources, outdoor recreation, and environmental sectors.  The purpose of the study is to assess the available data on current and projected employment levels and hiring demand for skilled mid-level workers in the agriculture, environment, outdoor recreation, and natural resources economic sectors in the state in order to provide educators with better information as they develop programs for informing students about potential careers.

    (b) The study must use a broad definition for the mid-level skilled occupations included in the study and identify up to five regions of the state based on the specific workforce characteristics of agriculture, natural resources, outdoor recreation, and environment employers.

    (c) The study must, at a minimum, include assessment of:

    (i) Data from the employment security department on the current and projected levels of employment and net job vacancies;

    (ii) Data used by workforce development councils in identifying demand for workers in their areas;

    (iii) Data from the United States census bureau; and

    (iv) Data from the United States census bureau's longitudinal employer-household dynamics dataset.

    (d) The study must, at a minimum, identify and interview a sample of major employers from the agriculture, environment, outdoor recreation, and natural resources economic sectors in each region to assess employers' perspective and expectations on employment and hiring of skilled mid-level workers in their industry and area. The study must also include an assessment of food and fiber processing jobs in the state.

    (e) The workforce training and education coordinating board:

    (i) Must convene and consult with a steering committee to define the scope of mid-level skilled occupations considered, validate designation of specific regions to be analyzed, and assist in the design of information collection. The steering committee must include representatives of statewide business organizations and a staff member of the state board for community and technical colleges; and

    (ii) May complete the study directly or, at its discretion, contract the assignment, or portions of the assignment, to a third party or parties chosen by the workforce training and education coordinating board.

    (f) The final report must:

    (i) Be reported by the workforce training and education coordinating board;

    (ii) Include recommendations on current sources that provide the most representative and useful information for educators and counselors, further steps to improve the specificity, timeliness, and quality of information available on skilled workforce needs and issues in the areas of the state, and steps necessary to extend this work both into entry level and advanced level occupations, and into identification of specific skills that are key to enabling workers to be productive in this sector; and

    (iii) Be completed and the results reported to the appropriate committees of the legislature by October 15, 2018."

EFFECT:  Requires the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (WTB) to conduct, or contract for, a workforce assessment study for the agriculture, natural resources, outdoor recreation, and environment sectors. Requires the WTB to convene a study steering committee, which must include representatives of statewide business organizations and a staff member of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. Requires the WTB to submit a final study report to the Legislature by October 15, 2018.   

FISCAL IMPACT:

           Increases General Fund - State by $171,000.

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