phTitle Governor Signs Job Creator Bill Improving Workforce Development
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(September 18, 2012) A California Chamber of Commerce-supported job creator bill that improves workforce development was signed by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. yesterday.
SB 1402 (Lieu; D-Torrance) helps improve alignment of the state’s workforce needs and education resources by reauthorizing the Economic and Workforce Development Program within the California Community College System.
Workforce Needs
SB 1402 reworks the Economic and Workforce Development Program to help it better meet its objectives in light of significant funding cuts in recent years.
Over the last five years, funding for the program has fallen by more than 40%, making it harder for program managers to meet market needs and coordinate with the various entities working toward the same mission.
SB 1402 establishes a revised program to operate until January 1, 2018. The revisions improve the program by:
Making it more nimble and better able to respond to changing economic conditions; Making the program more accountable by strengthening the evaluation framework for grants and programs; and Encouraging better integration and communication with career technical education programs.
Long-term and short-term programs to be funded include advanced transportation, biotechnology, environmental technologies, health care delivery and international trade. Reauthorizing the redesigned program will help ensure that students continue to have access to a program targeted toward employable career paths, and that employers have access to a growing pool of qualified workers trained in the subjects in highest demand.
SB 1402 is consistent with the goals of the CalChamber 2012 Renew Agenda and will help position California for economic recovery. |