OLR Bill Analysis

sSB 292

AN ACT ALIGNING CONNECTICUT'S INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

SUMMARY:

This bill allows the Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR) to develop an additional occupational training program at the Community-Technical Colleges (CTC). The program, if developed, must meet the training needs of new and expanding industries, as well as existing industries with high demand for skilled workers, as identified by the Office of Workforce Competitiveness (OWC) in consultation with the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) commissioner. The program must concentrate on training for skilled and semi-skilled positions and terminate when industry needs have been met (presumably as determined by OWC in consultation with the DECD commissioner). Basic academic education may be included in the program when necessary.

The bill also allows the BOR to develop an assessment system administered at CTCs that measures individual workers' skills, including skills in applied mathematics, reading for information, locating information, and other skills that employers believe are critical for job success. If BOR develops the system, it must administer the system for employers that (1) are in new and expanding industries as well as existing industries with high demand for skilled workers, as identified by OWC in consultation with the DECD commissioner, and (2) meet minimum hiring criteria determined by the BOR president in consultation with the DECD commissioner. A worker who undergoes an assessment must receive a certificate indicating his or her (1) skill, knowledge levels, and overall work readiness and (2) need for any additional training.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2012

BACKGROUND

Legislative History

The Senate referred the bill (File 332) to the Appropriations Committee, which favorably reported a substitute that allows, rather than requires, BOR to develop the occupational training program and assessment system.

COMMITTEE ACTION

Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference

Commerce Committee

Joint Favorable

Appropriations Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute