Bill Text: PA SR258 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Recognizing the week of March 8 through 14, 2010, as "Workforce Solutions Week" in Pennsylvania.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2010-03-08 - Introduced and adopted [SR258 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-SR258-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 1727
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 258 Session of2010
INTRODUCED BY GORDNER AND TARTAGLIONE, MARCH 8, 2010
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MARCH 8, 2010
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the week of March 8 through 14, 2010, as "Workforce
Solutions Week" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Our nation is experiencing high unemployment rates
and a national economic recession that directly affects our
ability to compete in a global job market; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's unemployment rate has averaged 7.9%
over the past 12 months and ranges as high as 12.8% for those
with lower levels of education; and
WHEREAS, More than half of Pennsylvania's work force lacks
postsecondary education and most of these workers lack the
skills needed in industries critical to this Commonwealth's
economy; and
WHEREAS, The employment of future workers and the re-
employment of displaced workers is dependent upon worker
education training programs that provide workers with the skills
needed in critical industries; and
WHEREAS, High school and college career and occupational
education are powerfully enhanced when high-performing
businesses in key industries provide input on curricula and
offer complementary internship, cooperative, apprenticeship and
other work-based learning opportunities in occupations with
family-sustaining careers; and
WHEREAS, Innovation and the spread of good management
practices are accelerated when Pennsylvania businesses work
together to identify and meet their common training and skill
needs; and
WHEREAS, Workers' ability to succeed in today's knowledge-
based, global economy is enhanced when employers invest in their
skills and when businesses develop skill certifications
recognized industrywide and articulated with college credit; and
WHEREAS, The ability of low-income workers to have a real
chance at pathways out of poverty requires trainers and other
work force service providers to have firsthand knowledge of
employers' skill needs and how workers can be supported to meet
those standards; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is proactively addressing critical
skills issues in the State's key industry sectors through its
Industry Partnerships Strategy, which brings employers together
to identify and address common training needs, assist educators
and trainers in aligning curricula and services to employer
needs and by offering work-based learning opportunities, spark
innovative efforts to address organizational, management and
human resource challenges and develop new certifications and
industrywide career ladders; and
WHEREAS, Private foundations and the United Way have joined
forces with the Commonwealth through funding collaboratives with
matching funds from the National Fund for Workforce Solutions,
which provide additional funding for Industry Partnerships,
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ensuring that lower-skilled workers have the training and
support they need to enter and succeed in the work force; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania community colleges, community-based
organizations and employers are participating in national
initiatives such as "Breaking Through" and "Connecting Literacy
and Work," which help low-literacy adults gain the education and
training they need to succeed in the work force; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is included in the nationally renowned
"Jobs to Careers" project, which is helping frontline health
care workers gain the skills and credential opportunities they
need to advance their careers, while simultaneously helping
employers retain a talented work force; and
WHEREAS, From March 8 through 14, 2010, Workforce Solutions
Week will be a nationwide celebration bringing together workers,
employers, public officials and leaders from business and
education to honor and highlight innovative approaches in
building the nation's frontline work force; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the week of March 8
through 14, 2010, as "Workforce Solutions Week" in Pennsylvania.
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