Virginia Senate Bill SJR20

Virginia 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24
• Report Pass: 2/9/24

Caption

Comprehensive community colleges; funding model for noncredit workforce credential programs.

Impact

If implemented, SJR20 will require the Virginia Board of Workforce Development to conduct a thorough assessment of the current funding paradigm. This includes identifying disparities between funding for noncredit and for-credit courses, consulting with various stakeholders in the education and labor industries, and reviewing instructor compensation. The findings will ultimately assist in developing reform recommendations to ensure comprehensive community colleges can meet labor market demands. A key part of this evaluation will be to compare Virginia’s funding models against other states to identify effective strategies for improvement.

Summary

SJR20 seeks to address the funding model for noncredit workforce credential programs offered at comprehensive community colleges in Virginia. The bill acknowledges that the current self-sustaining funding model is becoming unsustainable. It emphasizes the need for these institutions to effectively offer and fund workforce programs that meet the growing demand for skilled labor. Specifically, it desires to evaluate the existing funding inadequacies that challenge the sustainability of these programs and their capacity to provide quality training for the workforce of tomorrow.

Contention

One potential point of contention surrounding SJR20 could be related to the proposed recommendations regarding instructor salaries for noncredit programs. The current pay rates are reportedly well below industry standards, and there may be disagreements on how to bridge this gap. Additionally, the push for reform to make noncredit training programs more sustainable involves broader discussions about educational funding allocations and the prioritization of workforce development within the state's budget. Stakeholders may have differing views on how to best satisfy both educational and industry needs without imposing undue financial burdens on students or the community colleges themselves.