UNOFFICIAL COPY 23 RS BR 1066
Page 1 of 4
XXXX 2/16/2023 4:03 PM Jacketed
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION relating to the establishment of a Workforce 1
Innovation Task Force to complete a study of current education and workforce 2
development programs and provide recommendations on how to provide effective 3
workforce development programs to facilitate the training and employment of historically 4
untapped workforce populations in the Commonwealth. 5
WHEREAS, Kentucky employers are reporting shortages of employees; and 6
WHEREAS, the global pandemic has exacerbated challenges employers face in 7
finding the talent they need and, as our economy recovers from the pandemic, Kentucky 8
faces a looming worker shortage over the coming decades; and 9
WHEREAS, to address worker shortage, Kentucky will benefit from providing high 10
quality, work-based learning for students and adults; and 11
WHEREAS, work-based learning allows youth and adults to explore new 12
opportunities, build skills, and transition into new career pathways; and 13
WHEREAS, addressing language barriers through the alignment of education and 14
employment can create immediate access to talent for employees; and 15
WHEREAS, these target populations include: 16
1. Individuals who are 50 years of age or older; 17
2. Individuals who are or were incarcerated; 18
3. Members of any household with an income that is not more than 150% of the 19
federal poverty level, as determined by the most current federal poverty 20
guidelines issued by the United States Department of Health and Human 21
Services; 22
4. Veterans; 23
5. Individuals with disabilities; 24
6. Individuals who have recently legally immigrated to the United States and 25
reside in the Commonwealth; 26
7. Individuals who are English language learners or use English as a second 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 23 RS BR 1066
Page 2 of 4
XXXX 2/16/2023 4:03 PM Jacketed
language; 1
8. Individuals with low levels of literacy; 2
9. Individuals who reside in rural areas; 3
10. Individuals who are homeless; 4
11. Individuals with training and skills in a particular industry who lack resources 5
to obtain required licenses to compete in the workforce; and 6
12. Youth; and 7
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth has an economic interest in adding talent to its 8
workforce that will benefit the employed individuals, the industries who employ these 9
individuals, and the economy of the Commonwealth as a whole; 10
NOW, THEREFORE, 11
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the 12
Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Senate concurring therein: 13
Section 1. The Legislative Research Commission is hereby directed to create 14
the Workforce Innovation Task Force to conduct a comprehensive review of current 15
education and workforce development programs and provide recommendations on how to 16
identify, enhance, and expand effective workforce development programs to facilitate the 17
training and employment of historically untapped workforce populations in the 18
Commonwealth. The Workforce Innovation Task Force shall: 19
(1) Identify strategies to attract and locate industries experiencing worker 20
shortage; 21
(2) Identify strategies to enhance recruitment and retention of workers in 22
industries experiencing worker shortage; 23
(3) Identify strategies to expand experiential, work-based learning opportunities 24
for adults and youth in the target populations; 25
(4) Identify strategies for closing the digital divide for disconnected Kentuckians 26
to create new opportunities for participation in society and the economy; 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 23 RS BR 1066
Page 3 of 4
XXXX 2/16/2023 4:03 PM Jacketed
(5) Study information on current education and workplace development 1
programs, and identify what programs provide resources to the target populations; 2
(6) Gather information on work completed by other groups, states, and the federal 3
government related to worker shortage in identified industries; 4
(7) Make recommendations of additional programs that will address the identified 5
needs of the target populations; 6
(8) Study the pathways for obtaining certain in-demand occupational licenses and 7
international credentials to take advantage of the global pool of skilled workers in 8
Kentucky; 9
(9) Accelerate and expand work that other state agencies have done to integrate 10
new Americans and internationally trained professionals into the workforce; 11
(10) Ensure English language learners have access to work-based learning, job 12
training, and employment opportunities and the support they need for success in a career-13
aligned English as a second language program and employment with workforce partners 14
and employers; 15
(11) Identify ways to ensure programs are coordinated in a way that maximizes 16
participation for employers and employees; and 17
(12) Accelerate the adoption of career aligned English as a second language 18
classes into employer and work-based learning programs and training programs for 19
reskilling, upskilling, and next skilling. 20
Section 2. The Workforce Innovation Task Force shall be composed of the 21
following members, with final membership of the task force being subject to the 22
consideration and approval of the Legislative Research Commission. 23
(1) Four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of 24
the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be a member of the minority party, and 25
one of whom shall be designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives as a co-26
chair of the task force; and 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 23 RS BR 1066
Page 4 of 4
XXXX 2/16/2023 4:03 PM Jacketed
(2) Four members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, one of 1
whom shall be a member of the minority party, and one of whom shall be designated by 2
the President of the Senate as a co-chair of the task force. 3
Section 3. The Workforce Innovation Task Force shall meet at least three times 4
during the 2023 Interim and shall submit its findings, legislative recommendations, or a 5
memorandum to the Legislative Research Commission no later than December 1, 2023. If 6
legislative recommendations are submitted, the Legislative Research Commission may 7
refer the recommendations to the appropriate committee or committees of jurisdiction in 8
advance of the 2024 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly. 9
Section 4. Provisions of this Resolution to the contrary notwithstanding, the 10
Legislative Research Commission shall have the authority to alternatively assign the 11
issues identified herein to an interim joint committee or subcommittee thereof, and to 12
designate a study completion date. 13