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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 197
BY SENATOR APPEL
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. Requests the La. Association of Independent Colleges
and Universities and the state's private colleges and universities to study viable options for
Louisiana's private postsecondary institutions to contribute toward meeting the state's
workforce needs.
A RESOLUTION1
To urge and request the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities to2
study viable options for the private colleges and universities to contribute to meeting3
the workforce gap of college completions and degrees needed for Louisiana four-4
and five-star jobs.5
WHEREAS, Louisiana is in the midst of an economic renaissance with eighty6
thousand new jobs and more than fifty billion dollars in private capital added since 2008;7
and8
WHEREAS, the next challenge is to ensure that Louisiana has the skilled workforce9
to fill these jobs of the future; and10
WHEREAS, economists have recently said that they have never seen an industrial11
expansion like the one underway in Louisiana but have also warned that Louisiana must do12
a better job training skilled workers that will be needed to fill the demand for jobs at the13
major industrial and high tech projects coming to Louisiana; and14
WHEREAS, the Legislature created the Workforce and Innovation for a Stronger15
Economy Plan to strengthen the collaboration between public higher education, economic16
development, and workforce commission; and17
WHEREAS, the degree production in four and five star jobs as indicated by the18 SR NO. 197
SLS 14RS-5570 ORIGINAL
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Louisiana Workforce Commission include degrees in computer and information science,1
engineering, biological and physical sciences, finance and accounting, and healthcare; and2
WHEREAS, Louisiana's private colleges and universities currently produce over3
three thousand graduates in these same areas; and4
WHEREAS, the private colleges and universities are a resource for the public good5
of the State.6
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does7
hereby urge and request that the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and8
Universities study viable options that the private colleges and universities might undertake9
to help close the workforce gap in high demand four- and five-star jobs as well as strengthen10
collaboration with public higher education, economic development, and workforce11
commission.12
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges13
and Universities submit a written report to the Senate and House committees on education14
by March 1, 2015, regarding options and recommendations.15
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the16
President of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.17
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Alan Miller.
DIGEST
Appel SR No. 197
Requests the La. Assoc. of Independent Colleges and Universities study viable options that
the private colleges and universities might undertake to help close the workforce gap in high
demand four- and five-star jobs as well as strengthen collaboration with public higher
education, economic development, and workforce commission.
Requires a written report to be submitted to the Senate and House committees on education
by March 1, 2015, regarding options and recommendations.