Kentucky House Bill HCR50

Kentucky 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/17/23
• Refer: 2/17/23
• Refer: 2/21/23
• Report Pass: 2/22/23
• Engrossed: 3/8/23
• Refer: 3/8/23

Caption

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION relating to the establishment of a Workforce Innovation Task Force to complete a study of current education and workforce development programs and provide recommendations on how to provide effective workforce development programs to facilitate the training and employment of historically untapped workforce populations in the Commonwealth.

Impact

This bill has the potential to significantly impact state laws regarding education and workforce development. It emphasizes the importance of work-based learning opportunities, tailored to address the unique circumstances of various target populations, such as individuals over 50, formerly incarcerated individuals, veterans, and those with disabilities. By focusing on these historically untapped groups, HCR50 aims to enhance overall workforce participation and economic inclusion within the Commonwealth, allowing underrepresented populations to ascend into viable career pathways.

Summary

HCR50 is a concurrent resolution aimed at establishing a Workforce Innovation Task Force in Kentucky. The task force is tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of current education and workforce development programs to identify effective strategies for training and employing historically untapped workforce populations. A pressing context for this bill is the reported employee shortages in Kentucky, exacerbated by the challenges posed by the global pandemic. The goal of the task force is to provide recommendations that align workforce training with industry needs, ensuring that the state can effectively address its labor market challenges.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HCR50 appears largely positive, with broad bipartisan support demonstrated by a unanimous vote of 98-0 in the House. This reflects a shared belief in the importance of tackling workforce shortages and enhancing employment opportunities in Kentucky. However, there may also be underlying concerns about the actionable outcomes of the task force's recommendations, especially if the execution of such plans does not meet the expectations of the diverse populations targeted.

Contention

While HCR50 enjoys significant support, the real contention may arise during the implementation phase. There are concerns regarding whether the recommendations made by the task force will translate into effective policies that genuinely benefit the identified target populations. Advocacy for the needs of these groups, ensuring access to appropriate training and job opportunities, will be critical to the success of the initiatives stemming from this resolution.