SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 2019
As of February 21, 2022
Title: An act relating to increasing educational and training opportunities for careers in retail.
Brief Description: Increasing educational and training opportunities for careers in retail.
Sponsors: House Committee on College & Workforce Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Boehnke, Graham, Johnson, J., Leavitt and Sutherland).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/2/22, 94-2.
Committee Activity: Higher Education & Workforce Development: 2/22/22.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (Workforce Board), with certain stakeholders, to identify certain skills and educational needs and gaps for retail workers.
  • Requires the Workforce Board and certain stakeholders to make recommendations to the Legislature on developing credentials, and creating educational and career opportunities, for retail workers.
  • Requires the Workforce Board to submit reports to the Legislature.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Staff: Kellee Gunn (786-7429)
Background:

Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.  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, and to advise the Governor and the Legislature concerning the training system.  It is a tripartite partnership of business, labor, and government with a Governor-appointed board of 11 members. 


National Retail Federation Foundation's RISE Up.  RISE Up is a training and credentialing program that provides foundational employability skills to assist people in getting hired and promoted in the retail industry.  The curriculum and exams are industry-recognized and were developed in collaboration with 20 retailers.  RISE Up offers four credentials—retail industry fundamentals; customer service and sales; business of retail; and warehouse, inventory, and logistics.  
Summary of Bill:

The Workforce Board, in consultation with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and statewide retail employer organizations shall identify:

  • core skills needed for employment in the retail industry;
  • existing courses, educational pathways, and apprenticeships for students and entry-level job seekers to gain the identified core skills;
  • educational gaps for retail workers; and
  • in-demand, high-wage, industry professions within the retail industry.

 

The Workforce Board and others must also map educational pathways for job advancement in retail.

 

With certain stakeholder participation, information gathered by the Workforce Board shall be used to make recommendations to the Legislature.  Recommendations must include certain strategies to develop credentials for retail employees, building networks for job seekers and students completing retail certification courses, options for partnering with retail employers to upskill frontline retail positions, and options for increasing the number of opportunities in the industry for underserved communities and previously incarcerated individuals.

 

The Workforce Board must submit two reports to the Legislature—a progress report by December 1, 2022, and a final report with recommendations by December 1, 2023.  The requirements expire July 1, 2024. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.