Sec. 31-11hh. *(See end of section for amended version and effective date.) Definitions.
Sec. 31-11ss. Military to Machinists program.
Sec. 31-11tt. Veterans Platform to Employment Program.
Sec. 31-11ff. State-wide plan for implementing, expanding or improving upon career certificate programs, middle college programs, early college high school programs and Connecticut Early College Opportunity programs. (a) For purposes of this section:
(1) “Early college high school” means a school in which persons who are underrepresented in higher education, including, but not limited to, low-income youth, first-generation college students, English language learners and minority students, may simultaneously earn, tuition free, a high school diploma and an associate degree or up to two years of credit toward a bachelor's degree;
(2) “Middle college program” means a collaboration between a school district's high schools and a regional-community technical college or a four-year college or university where a student may (A) take core high school courses or courses for which college or university-level credit may be given, and (B) attribute all such credits earned toward a program of higher learning at an institution of higher education in which such student enrolls upon graduation from the middle college program; and
(3) “Connecticut Early College Opportunity program” or “CT-ECO” means a collaboration between a school district's high schools, a local community college and a company or business entity where a student may earn an industry-recognized, two-year postsecondary degree in addition to a high school diploma.
(b) The Connecticut Employment and Training Commission shall develop, in collaboration with the Connecticut state colleges and universities, Department of Education, and regional work force development boards established pursuant to section 31-3j, a state-wide plan for implementing, expanding or improving upon career certificate programs established under section 10-20a, middle college programs, early college high school programs and Connecticut Early College Opportunity programs to provide education, training and placement in jobs available in the manufacturing, health care, construction, green, science, technology, computer science, engineering and mathematics industries and other emerging sectors of the state's economy. Such plan shall include a proposal to fund such programs.
(P.A. 14-217, S. 197; P.A. 16-15, S. 2; P.A. 17-207, S. 5; P.A. 18-126, S. 7; P.A. 19-128, S. 8.)
History: P.A. 14-217 effective July 1, 2014; P.A. 16-15 amended Subsec. (a)(2) by replacing “bachelor degree” with “bachelor's degree”, effective May 6, 2016; P.A. 17-207 amended Subsec. (a) to delete former Subdiv. (1) re “contextualized learning”, redesignate existing Subdivs. (2) and (3) as new Subdivs. (1) and (2), add new Subdiv. (3) re “Connecticut Early College Opportunity program”, amended Subsec. (b) to add reference to Connecticut state colleges and universities and Department of Education, delete reference to contextualized learning programs, add reference to Connecticut Early College Opportunity programs, and add “, science, technology, engineering and mathematics”, amended Subsec. (c) to designate existing provisions re Connecticut Employment and Training Commission report as Subdiv. (1) and amend same to replace “January 1, 2015” with “January 1, 2018”, designate existing provisions re annual report by commission as Subdiv. (2) and amend same to replace “September 1, 2015” with “September 1, 2018”, and add “included in the plan developed under subsection (b) of this section”, and made technical changes, effective July 11, 2017; P.A. 18-126 deleted Subsec. (c) re report on plan and annual report on status of programs included in plan; P.A. 19-128 amended Subsec. (b) by adding “computer science,”, effective July 1, 2019.
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Sec. 31-11hh. *(See end of section for amended version and effective date.) Definitions. As used in this section and sections 31-11ii and 31-11jj:
(1) “Administrative costs” means the costs paid or incurred by the administrator, including, but not limited to, peer review costs, professional fees, allocated staff costs and other out-of-pocket costs attributable to the administration and operation of the Workforce Training Authority Fund;
(2) “Administrator” means the Department of Labor;
(3) “Board” means the Workforce Training Authority established pursuant to section 31-11ii; and
(4) “Eligible recipient” means a business entity, including, but not limited to, those businesses in the bioscience, insurance, financial services, advanced manufacturing, digital media, green technology and tourism industry sectors.
(P.A. 17-207, S. 7.)
*Note: On and after May 1, 2020, this section, as amended by section 1 of public act 19-1 of the July 22 special session, is to read as follows:
“Sec. 31-11hh. Definitions. As used in this section and sections 31-11ii and 31-11jj:
(1) “Administrative costs” means the costs paid or incurred by the administrator, including, but not limited to, peer review costs, professional fees, allocated staff costs and other out-of-pocket costs attributable to the administration and operation of the Workforce Training Authority Fund;
(2) “Administrator” means the Labor Commissioner;
(3) “Board” means the Workforce Training Authority established pursuant to section 31-11ii; and
(4) “Eligible recipient” means a public or private entity seeking to develop a workforce training program, either to grow an existing business or, in the case of a public entity, as part of partnership with business entities that have made a commitment to hire successful trainees from the workforce training program funded by the authority created by section 31-11ii.”
(P.A. 17-207, S. 7; July 22 Sp. Sess. P.A. 19-1, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 17-207 effective July 11, 2017; July 22 Sp. Sess. P.A. 19-1 redefined “administrator” in Subdiv. (2) and redefined “eligible recipient” in Subdiv. (4), effective May 1, 2020.
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Sec. 31-11ii. *(See end of section for amended version and effective date.) Development of Workforce Training Authority. Members. Duties and responsibilities. (a) There is established a Workforce Training Authority that shall consist of the following members: (1) Four appointed by the Governor; (2) one appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate; (3) one appointed by the Senate Republican president pro tempore; (4) one appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives; (5) one appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; (6) one appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives; (7) one appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; (8) one appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; (9) the Labor Commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, who shall serve as the chairperson of the board; (10) the Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development, or the commissioner's designee; (11) the president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, or the president's designee; (12) the president of The University of Connecticut, or the president's designee; and (13) the Commissioner of Correction, or the commissioner's designee. Each legislatively appointed member shall have skill, knowledge or experience in industries and sciences related to insurance, financial services, bioscience, advance manufacturing, digital media, green technology, and tourism. All initial appointments to the board pursuant to this subsection shall be made not later than October 1, 2017. Appointed members shall each serve a term that is coterminous with the respective appointing authority. Each member shall hold office until a successor is appointed. Any vacancy occurring on the board, other than by expiration of term, shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the balance of the unexpired term.
(b) The chairperson shall call the first meeting of the board not later than December 1, 2017. The board shall meet at such times as the chairperson deems necessary.
(c) No member of the board shall receive compensation for such member's services.
(d) A majority of the members of said board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business or the exercise of any power of the board. The board may act by a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is in attendance for the transaction of any business or the exercise of any power of the board, except as otherwise provided in this section.
(e) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, it shall not constitute a conflict of interest for a trustee, director, partner, officer, manager, shareholder, proprietor, counsel, public official acting in his or her official capacity or employee of an eligible recipient, or any individual with a financial interest in an eligible recipient, to serve as a member of the board, provided such trustee, director, partner, officer, manager, shareholder, proprietor, counsel, employee or individual shall abstain from deliberation, action or vote by the board concerning any matter relating to such eligible recipient, except such public official acting in his or her official capacity shall be permitted to engage in such deliberation.
(f) The board may develop industry-specific advisory councils to provide guidance on job market trends and develop connections with the business community.
(P.A. 17-207, S. 8.)
*Note: On and after May 1, 2020, this section, as amended by section 2 of public act 19-1 of the July 22 special session, is to read as follows:
“Sec. 31-11ii. Development of Workforce Training Authority. Members. Duties and responsibilities. (a) There is established a Workforce Training Authority within the Labor Department whose purpose is to oversee the grant program described in section 31-11jj. The Workforce Training Authority shall be composed of a board that:
(1) Until April 30, 2020, shall consist of the following members: (A) Four appointed by the Governor; (B) one appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate; (C) one appointed by the Senate Republican president pro tempore; (D) one appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives; (E) one appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; (F) one appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives; (G) one appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; (H) one appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; (I) the Labor Commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, who shall serve as the chairperson of the board; (J) the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, or the commissioner's designee; (K) the president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, or the president's designee; (L) the president of The University of Connecticut, or the president's designee; and (M) the Commissioner of Correction, or the commissioner's designee. The term of any member appointed under this subdivision shall terminate on April 30, 2020;
(2) On and after May 1, 2020, shall consist of the following members: (A) Four appointed by the Governor, one of whom is a representative of a community college, one of whom is a representative of a state university, one of whom is a representative of The University of Connecticut and one of whom is a representative of the independent colleges; (B) two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom is a formerly incarcerated individual or someone who helps formerly incarcerated individuals find employment and one of whom is a representative of the Connecticut AFL-CIO; (C) two appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, one of whom is a representative of a workforce investment board and one of whom is a representative of the Connecticut State Building and Construction Trades Council; (D) two appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom is a representative of The University of Connecticut Health Center and one of whom is a representative from a Connecticut affiliate of the National Urban League or the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; (E) two appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, one of whom is a representative of the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology and one of whom is a representative of a Connecticut chamber of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; (F) two appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, one of whom has skill, knowledge or expertise in the workforce needs of the financial services industry and one of whom is a representative from the Connecticut Business and Industry Association Manufacturers Advisory Council; (G) two appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, one of whom is a representative from the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents and one of whom has skill, knowledge and expertise in the workforce needs of the digital media industry; (H) the Labor Commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, who shall serve as chairperson of the board; (I) the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, or the commissioner's designee; (J) the Commissioner of Correction, or the commissioner's designee; (K) the superintendent of the Technical Education and Career System, or the superintendent's designee; and (L) the Commissioner of Agriculture, or the commissioner's designee.
(b) All initial appointments to the board pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section shall be made not later than July 1, 2020. Appointed members shall each serve a term that is coterminous with the respective appointing authority. Each member shall hold office until a successor is appointed. Any vacancy occurring on the board, other than by expiration of term, shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the balance of the unexpired term.
(c) The chairperson shall call the first meeting of the board appointed under subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section not later than July 1, 2020. The board shall meet at such times as the chairperson deems necessary.
(d) No member of the board shall receive compensation for such member's services.
(e) A majority of the members of said board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business or the exercise of any power of the board. The board may act by a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is in attendance for the transaction of any business or the exercise of any power of the board, except as otherwise provided in this section.
(f) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, it shall not constitute a conflict of interest for a trustee, director, partner, officer, manager, shareholder, proprietor, counsel, public official acting in his or her official capacity or employee of an eligible recipient, or any individual with a financial interest in an eligible recipient, to serve as a member of the board, provided such trustee, director, partner, officer, manager, shareholder, proprietor, counsel, employee or individual shall abstain from deliberation, action or vote by the board concerning any matter relating to such eligible recipient, except such public official acting in his or her official capacity shall be permitted to engage in such deliberation.
(g) The board may develop industry-specific advisory councils to provide guidance on job market trends and develop connections with the business community.”
(P.A. 17-207, S. 8; July 22 Sp. Sess. P.A. 19-1, S. 2.)
History: P.A. 17-207 effective July 11, 2017; July 22 Sp. Sess. P.A. 19-1 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provisions re within Labor Department, purpose and board composition, designating existing provisions re members as Subdiv. (1), adding “Until April 30, 2020, “, redesignating Subdivs. (1) to (13) as Subparas. (A) to (M), deleting provisions re skill, knowledge and experience of legislatively appointed members, date by which initial appointments are to be made, term of members and filling of vacancies, and adding provision re termination of term on April 30, 2020, and adding Subdiv. (2) re membership on and after May 1, 2020, added new Subsec. (b) re initial appointments, term of appointed members and filling of vacancies, redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as new Subsec. (c) and amended same by adding reference to Subsec. (a)(2) and replacing “December 1, 2017” with “July 1, 2020”, and redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) to (f) as Subsecs. (d) to (g), effective May 1, 2020.
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Sec. 31-11jj. *(See end of section for amended version and effective date.) Workforce Training Authority Fund. (a) There is established the Workforce Training Authority Fund, which shall be an account in the Department of Labor. The following moneys shall be deposited in the fund: (1) Any moneys received as part of a memorandum of understanding with the Workforce Training Authority; (2) all private contributions, gifts, grants, donations, bequests or devises received by the fund; and (3) to the extent not otherwise prohibited by state or federal law, any local, state or federal funds received by the fund.
(b) The Workforce Training Authority Fund shall be used: (1) To provide training assistance to eligible recipients as may be approved by the Workforce Training Authority pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, and (2) to pay or reimburse the administrator for administrative costs pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. Such training assistance shall be awarded for the purpose of: Developing and implementing training programs for the recruitment of businesses to the state and the training or retraining of persons in the state to achieve the workforce goals established by the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission and the relevant sections of the strategic master plan for higher education developed pursuant to section 10a-11b. Training assistance shall target job growth in the areas of insurance, financial services, bioscience, advance manufacturing, digital media, green technology, and tourism.
(c) All expenditures from the Workforce Training Authority, except for administrative costs reimbursed to the administrator pursuant to subsection (h) of this section, shall be approved by the board, provided the board may delegate to staff of the administrator the approval of transactions not greater than one hundred thousand dollars. Any such approval by the board shall be (1) specific to an individual expenditure to be made; (2) for budgeted expenditures with such variations as the board may authorize at the time of such budget approval; or (3) for training assistance programs to be administered by staff of the administrator, subject to limits, eligibility requirements and other conditions established by the Workforce Training Authority at the time of such program approval.
(d) The administrator shall provide any necessary staff, office space, office systems and administrative support for the operation of the Workforce Training Authority Fund in accordance with this section. In acting as administrator of the fund, the Labor Department shall have and may exercise all of the powers set forth in the general statutes, provided expenditures from the fund shall be approved by the Workforce Training Authority pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.
(e) The Workforce Training Authority shall establish an application and approval process with guidelines and terms for the development and implementation of training programs awarded by the Workforce Training Authority Fund to any eligible recipient. Such guidelines and terms shall include: (1) A requirement that any applicant for training assistance operate in the state or propose to relocate operations to the state, in whole or in part, as a condition of such training assistance; (2) eligibility requirements for training, including a requirement for applicants to obtain matching funds from nonstate sources; (3) a process for preliminary review of applications for strength and eligibility by the administrator before such applications are presented to the board for consideration; (4) return on investment objectives, including, but not limited to, job growth and leveraged investment opportunities; (5) a requirement that any business that receives assistance must first consider applicants who have completed the universal intake form; and (6) such other guidelines and terms as the board determines to be necessary and appropriate in furtherance of the objectives of this section. In developing such guidelines, the board shall include considerations for the size of such businesses and the number of workers employed by such businesses. Additionally, the board shall give consideration to developing training programs and creating career pathways for formerly incarcerated individuals.
(f) Training assistance awarded from the Workforce Training Authority Fund to eligible recipients shall be used for costs related to facilities, necessary furniture, fixtures and equipment, development of programs, implementation of training programs, materials and supplies, compensation, apprenticeship and such other costs that the Workforce Training Authority Board determines pursuant to subsection (e) of this section to be eligible for training assistance within the purposes of this section.
(g) On July 1, 2018, and prior to each fiscal year thereafter, the administrator shall prepare a plan of operations and an operating and capital budget for the Workforce Training Authority Fund, provided not later than ninety days prior to the start of each fiscal year, the administrator shall submit such plan and budget to the Workforce Training Authority Board for its review and approval.
(h) Administrative costs shall be paid or reimbursed to the administrator from the Workforce Training Authority Fund, provided the total of such administrative costs in any fiscal year shall not exceed five per cent of the total amount of the allotted funding for such fiscal year as determined in the operating budget prepared pursuant to subsection (g) of this section. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to require the administrator to risk or expend the funds of the Labor Department in connection with the administration of the Workforce Training Authority Fund.
(i) On January 1, 2019, and annually thereafter, the administrator shall provide a report of the activities of the Workforce Training Authority Fund to the Workforce Training Authority for the board's review and approval. Upon such approval, the board shall provide such report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to labor, commerce and employment advancement. Such report shall contain available information on the status and progress of the operations and funding of the Workforce Training Authority Fund and the types, amounts and recipients of financial assistance awarded.
(j) The administrator shall consult with the office of apprenticeship training, the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission, the Planning Commission on Higher Education and the Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Fund to ensure coordination and compatibility of the development and implementation of training programs awarded by the Workforce Training Authority Fund.
(P.A. 17-207, S. 9.)
*Note: On and after May 1, 2020, this section, as amended by section 3 of public act 19-1 of the July 22 special session, is to read as follows:
“Sec. 31-11jj. Workforce Training Authority Fund. (a) There is established the Workforce Training Authority Fund, which shall be an account within the Labor Department. The following moneys shall be deposited in the fund: (1) Any moneys received as part of a memorandum of understanding with the Workforce Training Authority; (2) all private contributions, gifts, grants, donations, bequests or devises received by the fund; and (3) to the extent not otherwise prohibited by state or federal law, any local, state or federal funds received by the fund.
(b) The Workforce Training Authority Fund shall be used by the administrator: (1) To provide training assistance to eligible recipients as may be approved by the Workforce Training Authority pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, and (2) to pay or reimburse the administrator for administrative costs pursuant to subsection (h) of this section. Such training assistance shall be awarded for the purpose of: Developing and implementing training programs for the recruitment of businesses to the state and the training or retraining of persons in the state to achieve the workforce goals established by the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission and the relevant sections of the strategic master plan for higher education developed pursuant to section 10a-11b. Training assistance shall target job growth in the areas of construction, health care, early childhood education, insurance, financial services, bioscience, advance manufacturing, digital media, green technology, and tourism.
(c) All expenditures from the Workforce Training Authority Fund, except for administrative costs reimbursed to the administrator pursuant to subsection (h) of this section, shall be approved by the board, provided the board may delegate to staff of the administrator the approval of transactions not greater than one hundred thousand dollars. Any such approval by the board shall be (1) specific to an individual expenditure to be made; (2) for budgeted expenditures with such variations as the board may authorize at the time of such budget approval; or (3) for training assistance programs to be administered by staff of the administrator, subject to limits, eligibility requirements and other conditions established by the Workforce Training Authority at the time of such program approval.
(d) The administrator shall provide any necessary staff, office space, office systems and administrative support for the operation of the Workforce Training Authority Fund in accordance with this section. In acting as administrator of the fund, the Labor Commissioner shall have and may exercise all of the powers set forth in the general statutes, provided expenditures from the fund shall be approved by the Workforce Training Authority pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.
(e) The Workforce Training Authority shall establish an application and approval process with guidelines and terms for the development and implementation of training programs and training assistance awarded by the administrator from the Workforce Training Authority Fund to any eligible recipient. Such guidelines and terms shall include: (1) A requirement that any applicant for training assistance operate in the state or propose to relocate operations to the state, in whole or in part, as a condition of such training assistance; (2) eligibility requirements for training, including a requirement for applicants to obtain funds or in-kind services from nonstate sources; (3) a process for preliminary review of applications for strength and eligibility by the administrator before such applications are presented to the board for consideration; (4) return on investment objectives, including, but not limited to, job growth and leveraged investment opportunities; (5) a requirement that any entity that receives assistance first consider applicants who have completed the universal intake form; and (6) such other guidelines and terms as the board determines to be necessary and appropriate in furtherance of the objectives of this section. In developing such guidelines, the board shall include considerations for the size of such entities and the number of workers employed by such entities. Additionally, the board shall give consideration to developing training programs and creating career pathways for women, minorities and soon to be released and formerly incarcerated individuals.
(f) Training assistance awarded to eligible recipients from the Workforce Training Authority Fund shall be used for costs related to facilities, necessary furniture, fixtures and equipment, development of programs, implementation of training programs, materials and supplies, compensation, apprenticeship and such other costs that the Workforce Training Authority determines to be eligible for training assistance within the purposes of this section pursuant to subsection (e) of this section.
(g) On July 1, 2018, and prior to the commencement of the next fiscal year thereafter, the administrator shall prepare a plan of operations and an operating and capital budget for the Workforce Training Authority Fund, provided not later than ninety days prior to the start of each fiscal year, the administrator shall submit such plan and budget to the board of the Workforce Training Authority for its review and approval.
(h) Administrative costs shall be paid or reimbursed to the administrator from the Workforce Training Authority Fund, provided the total of such administrative costs in any fiscal year shall not exceed five per cent of the total amount of the allotted funding for such fiscal year, as determined in the operating budget prepared pursuant to subsection (g) of this section. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the administrator to risk or expend the funds of the Labor Department in connection with the administration of the Workforce Training Authority Fund.
(i) On January 1, 2019, and annually thereafter, the administrator shall provide a report of the expenditures of the Workforce Training Authority Fund to the Workforce Training Authority for the board's review and approval. Upon such approval, the board shall provide such report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to labor, commerce and employment advancement. Such report shall contain available information on the status and progress of the operations of the programs funded by and resources of the Workforce Training Authority Fund and the types, amounts and recipients of financial assistance awarded.
(j) The administrator shall consult with the office of apprenticeship training, the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission, the Planning Commission on Higher Education and the administrator of the Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Fund to ensure coordination and compatibility of the development and implementation of training programs awarded by the Workforce Training Authority.”
(P.A. 17-207, S. 9; July 22 Sp. Sess. P.A. 19-1, S. 3.)
History: P.A. 17-207 effective July 11, 2017; July 22 Sp. Sess. P.A. 19-1 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “in the Department of Labor” with “within the Labor Department”, amended Subsec. (b) by adding “by the administrator” re use of fund, replacing reference to Subsec. (c) with reference to Subsec. (h), and adding “construction, health care, early childhood education, “, amended Subsec. (d) by replacing “Labor Department” with “Labor Commissioner”, amended Subsec. (e) by adding reference to training assistance, adding reference to administrator, replacing “matching funds” with “funds or in-kind services” in Subdiv. (2), replacing “business” with “entity” and deleting “must” in Subdiv. (5), replacing “businesses” with “entities” and adding “women, minorities and soon to be released and”, amended Subsec. (g) by replacing “each” with “the commencement of the next”, amended Subsec. (h) by replacing “deemed” with “construed”, amended Subsec. (i) by replacing “activities” with “expenditures”, and replacing “funding” with “resources”, amended Subsec. (j) by adding reference to administrator, and made technical changes, effective May 1, 2020.
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Sec. 31-11ss. Military to Machinists program. (a) As used in this section:
(1) “Advanced manufacturing” means a manufacturing process that makes extensive use of computer, high-precision or information technologies integrated with a high-performance work force in a production system capable of furnishing a heterogeneous mix of products in small or large volumes with either the efficiency of mass production or the flexibility of custom manufacturing in order to respond quickly to customer demands. “Advanced manufacturing” includes newly developed methods to manufacture existing products and the manufacture of new products emerging from new advanced technologies;
(2) “Eligible business” means a business that (A) has operations in Connecticut, (B) has been registered to conduct business for not less than twelve months, and (C) is in good standing with respect to the payment of all state and local taxes. “Eligible business” does not include the state or any political subdivision thereof;
(3) “Private occupational school” has the same meaning as provided in section 10a-22a;
(4) “Public institution of higher education” means any of the institutions of higher education identified in subdivision (2) of section 10a-1;
(5) “Qualifying advanced manufacturing certificate program” means a for-credit or noncredit sub-baccalaureate advanced manufacturing certificate program offered by a public institution of higher education or a private occupational school in which at least seventy-five per cent of the graduates of such certificate program are employed in a field related to or requiring such certificate in the year following graduation; and
(6) “Veteran” means any person (A) honorably discharged from, or released under honorable conditions from active service in, the armed forces, as defined in section 27-103, or (B) with a qualifying condition, as defined in section 27-103, who has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from active service in the armed forces.
(b) Not later than October 1, 2019, the work force development board for the southwest work force development region of the state shall develop and operate a pilot program to be known as the Military to Machinists program for veterans. The program shall assist any veteran in a region served by the pilot program in (1) earning an advanced manufacturing certificate from a qualifying advanced manufacturing certificate program, and (2) securing employment in the field of advanced manufacturing with any eligible business after such veteran has obtained an advanced manufacturing certificate.
(c) (1) The work force development board for the southwest work force development region of the state shall designate an appropriate number of employees, as determined by the board, to act as liaisons, and each liaison shall provide the assistance described in subsection (b) of this section on behalf of the program.
(2) In connection with providing the assistance described in subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section, each liaison designated pursuant to this subsection shall also assist a veteran served by the program to obtain funding for the cost of attending a qualifying advanced manufacturing certificate program. Such funding may include, but need not be limited to, (A) tuition waivers under sections 10a-77 and 10a-99, and (B) expenditures from the Workforce Training Authority Fund under section 31-11jj.
(3) In connection with providing the assistance described in subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section, each liaison designated pursuant to this subsection shall also assist any eligible business to apply for (A) a grant under section 31-3uu, and (B) tax credits under section 12-217g, if applicable.
(d) The work force development board for the southwest work force development region of the state shall operate the pilot program within its work force development region. The board may offer the program in other work force development regions in the state, in conjunction with the appropriate regional work force development board.
(e) Not later than February 1, 2020, the work force development board for the southwest work force development region of the state shall develop or approve promotional materials describing the pilot program and the various opportunities and benefits that the program may provide for veterans in the state. The board shall distribute such materials to qualified veterans' charitable organizations, as described in subsection (b) of section 27-100f, and Operation Academic Support for Incoming Service Members centers. The board shall revise and redistribute the materials as the board deems appropriate.
(f) Not later than February 1, 2020, and annually thereafter until the pilot program is terminated, the work force development board for the southwest work force development region of the state shall report on the operation of the pilot program and its recommendation to continue, discontinue or expand the program. Such report shall include measures of the effectiveness of the program, including, but not be limited to, data on the (1) number of veterans served by the pilot program; (2) number of veterans pursuing or earning advanced manufacturing certificates through the program and the type and amount of funding assistance received by the veterans; and (3) number of veterans securing employment in the field of advanced manufacturing with an eligible business through the program, the salaries earned by such veterans, the number of such veterans retaining employment in advanced manufacturing over time and the number and amount of grants and tax credits received by eligible businesses hiring such veterans. The board shall submit the report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to veterans' affairs.
(P.A. 19-129, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 19-129 effective July 1, 2019.
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Sec. 31-11tt. Veterans Platform to Employment Program. (a) Not later than October 1, 2019, the work force development board for the southwest work force development region of the state shall develop and operate a pilot program to be known as the Veterans Platform to Employment Program. The program shall provide training and subsidized employment for veterans who have experienced long-term unemployment in a similar manner to the Platform to Employment Program currently operated by such board. The pilot program shall provide veterans in a region served by the program with (1) a preparatory program that includes services such as skills assessments, career readiness workshops, employee assistance programs and coaching, and (2) employment assistance that includes identifying positions at local employers and providing subsidies to employers that hire veterans for trial work experiences that may lead to continued employment. The pilot program may offer additional services to assist veterans, including personal and family support services and financial counseling. As used in this section, “veteran” means any person (A) honorably discharged from, or released under honorable conditions from active service in, the armed forces, as defined in section 27-103, or (B) with a qualifying condition, as defined in section 27-103, who has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from active service in the armed forces.
(b) The work force development board for the southwest work force development region of the state shall operate the pilot program within its work force development region. The board may offer the program in other work force development regions in the state, in conjunction with the appropriate regional work force development board.
(c) Not later than February 1, 2020, and annually thereafter until the pilot program is terminated, the work force development board for the southwest work force development region of the state shall submit a report on the operation of the pilot program and its recommendation to continue, discontinue or expand the program. Such report shall include measures of the effectiveness of the program, including, but not limited to, data on the (1) number of veterans served by the program, (2) number of veterans placed with employers by the program and the salaries earned by such veterans, and (3) number of such veterans retaining employment over time. The board shall submit the report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to veterans' affairs.
(P.A. 19-129, S. 2.)
History: P.A. 19-129 effective July 1, 2019.
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Sec. 31-11uu. Distribution to employers of written materials concerning mental health conditions common to veterans. Not later than October 1, 2019, the work force development board for the southwest work force development region of the state shall identify appropriate written materials to distribute to employers on the topic of mental health conditions common to veterans, including post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of suicide, depression and grief. Such materials shall provide guidance on (1) identifying the signs and symptoms of such mental health conditions, and (2) assisting employees who are veterans and who exhibit such signs and symptoms in the workplace. The board shall distribute such materials to employers participating in or who may participate in the pilot programs established under sections 31-11ss and 31-11tt, and may distribute the materials to other employers that may hire veterans.
(P.A. 19-129, S. 3.)
History: P.A. 19-129 effective July 1, 2019.
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