Legislature(2021 - 2022)ADAMS 519
05/06/2021 09:00 AM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB132 | |
| HB85 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 132 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 85 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE BILL NO. 132
"An Act relating to technical education and
apprenticeships; relating to concurrent vocational
education, training, and on-the-job trade experience
programs for students enrolled in public secondary
schools; relating to child labor; and providing for an
effective date."
9:03:35 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ZACH FIELDS, SPONSOR, relayed that the bill
was sponsored by the House Labor and Commerce Committee. He
provided a PowerPoint presentation titled "Apprenticeship
Expansion Act" (copy on file). He began with slide 1
"Apprenticeship and CTE Background":
• Alaska has high-performing apprenticeship programs
in traditional trades, and recent innovation with
apprenticeship in new industries
• School districts want to expand CTE and school-to-
apprenticeship but need support to meet demand
• Other states and nations have shown potential to
expand apprenticeship & CTE
• Expansion of apprenticeship and CTE helps people
pull themselves up by their bootstraps without
student debt
• Good state policy positions us to capture and
capitalize on federal apprenticeship grants
Representative Fields turned to slide 2, "Incentivize
Employer Participation":
• Establishes $1,000 / apprentice employer tax credit,
and $1,500 / veteran apprentice
• Based on successful model from other states and
addressed what the bill would do. The bill would
incentivize employer participation.
Representative Fields mentioned the success of
apprenticeship programs in South Carolina. He thought the
legislature should be pushing the Department of Education
and Early Development to think more broadly about how to
support apprenticeships.
Representative Fields turned to slide 4, "Depts. Labor,
Education Coordination":
• Directs DOLWD and DEED to collaborate in provision
of technical and financial support for:
o School to apprenticeship programs
o Science, Math, and Engineering CTE programs
9:06:58 AM
Representative Fields moved to slide 5, "College Credit for
CTE and Apprenticeship":
• Directs University to explore ways to expand dual
credit for CTE courses and college credit for
participants in apprenticeship and discussed the
college credit for CTE
Representative Fields noted that the bill language was
written in consultation with the University. He noted that
the bill was endorsed by a wide range of organizations,
including the Associate Builders and Contractors, Alaska
State Hospital and Nursing Home Association, the Matanuska-
Susitna School District. He quickly showed endorsing
organizations on slide 6.
Representative Fields advanced to slide 7, "Financial
Implications":
• Zero cost from language affecting DEED, DOLWD,
University system
• Cost is per-apprentice tax credits of $1,000 or
$1,500 for veterans
• Tax credits apply once, not for each year of
apprenticeship participation
Representative Fields noted that there would be an
indeterminate fiscal note from the Department of Revenue.
He shared that the apprenticeships usually lasted 1 to 6
years.
Representative Fields spoke to slide 8, "Summary":
• Incentivize employer participation
• Encourage cross-departmental collaboration
• Support school districts
• Expand dual credit and post-secondary pathways
Representative Fields relayed that he had heard
definitively that school districts wanted to support
apprenticeship more broadly but did not have the resources.
He reiterated that there was an opportunity to capture
federal grants to support school apprenticeships. He noted
that invited testimony would go into greater detail about
the bill.
9:09:03 AM
MS. AMY NIBERT, PRESIDENT AND CEO, ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND
CONTRACTORS OF ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
introduced herself and noted that her organization operated
one of the largest apprenticeships in the state and
supported career and technical training. She relayed that
the Associated Builders and Contractors of Alaska (ABC)
supported an increase in opportunities for Alaskans to be
successful in apprenticeship programs and believed that HB
132 would help drive high school students to success.
Representative Rasmussen asked how many new apprentices the
ABC organization took on in one year.
Ms. Nibert answered that the organization took on
apprentices year-round after an application process and
interview. She cited that ABC received 200 to 250
applicants per year and currently they had between 200 and
300 individuals working in apprenticeships.
Representative Rasmussen asked what percentage of ABC was
organized versus unorganized labor.
Ms. Nibert replied that the organization represented open
shop contractors but had one union contractor that utilized
ABC's sprinkler-fitter apprenticeship program.
9:12:23 AM
MARI SELLE, ALASKA PRIMARY CARE ASSOCIATION, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), indicated that she represented the
workforce development of the Alaska Primary Care
Association (APCA). She believed the bill had to the
potential to open doors to youth that wanted to enter
health and human services careers. She noted that APCA had
been a multi-agency sponsor of apprenticeships since 2017,
working with various healthcare employers including
community health centers represented by the association.
She noted that there were active healthcare apprentices
learning and working all over the state including billers
and coders, clinical medical assistants, and community
health workers. She continued that there were registered
apprenticeship programs for medical secretaries, electronic
health record specialists, and a pharmacy tech
apprenticeship was coming soon. She cited that about 25
percent of apprentices were age 18 to 24. The model had
been amazing for many employers.
Ms. Selle continued her testimony in support of the bill.
She commented that the model worked well for people going
into entry level jobs in healthcare and human services.
Professionals were already mentoring and training staff in
the recruitment pool, and as a multi-agency sponsor APCA
could provide the formal education and a structured way to
ensure workers had the skills to be successful. She
mentioned a partnership with Alaska Pacific University,
through which apprentices could earn an undergraduate
certificate and go on to further degrees and career
ladders. She shared that the programs were especially well
suited for youth on a work track instead of a college
track. She expressed that the apprenticeships provided a
"well-lit path" to work right out of high school, and
students could earn college credits simultaneously if they
chose to do so.
9:16:40 AM
Representative Rasmussen asked for a rough estimate of the
number of apprenticeship applicants they accepted per year.
Ms. Selle answered that currently there were about 80
active apprentices on the APCA roster. She estimated that
about 80 percent were new apprentices from the past
calendar year. There were about two cohorts per year with
about 30 new apprentices.
9:17:45 AM
TRISH ZUGG, CTE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR, MAT-SU SCHOOL
DISTRICT (via teleconference), read from a prepared
statement. She considered that the key to providing a
educated, skilled workforce in Alaska was connecting our
systems of learning and assuring high quality of programs
at every level. She discussed high quality career and
technical education, effective workforce development that
included rigorous sequence of study, recognized
credentials, equity of access, technical expert
instructors, and contextualization of academics. She
asserted that the most effective evidence was work-based
learning outside the classroom. The district's goal was to
have work-based learning for all students, and
apprenticeship was the gold standard for learning at work.
She cited that apprenticeship provided for a means to earn
money for high-demand careers, a pathway to degrees, debt-
free education, and high wages. She discussed areas for
apprenticeships. She mentioned preparing students for all
levels of transition. She cited that apprenticeship had
proven results, and cited that participants earned 35
percent more than the average Alaska worker. She continued
that workers who completed their apprenticeship earned an
average of $78,990. She suggested that apprenticeships
prepared individuals for life and not only a job. She
referenced the importance of soft skills, and the long-term
success of employees. The asserted that the need for
training providers was important. The district was ready to
customize training opportunities and she emphasized the
importance of employer buy-in and sponsorship.
Ms. Zugg continued her testimony in support of the bill.
She thought apprenticeships should be an institutionalized
norm. She thought the bill would be foundational for the
Department of Labor and Workforce Development to better
guide and support the efforts. She discussed advantages to
enhance partnerships such as a more upscale workforce
invested locally, recruitment gains, turnover reductions,
and enhanced relationships. She asserted that the bill
would be good for the employer and employee and the
readiness of Alaska's workforce and the economy. She
mentioned a COVID-related acute labor shortage and felt
pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship could provide a
pathway for preparing and returning employees to work in
high demand occupations and adding to the ability to a path
towards advancement.
9:23:33 AM
Vice-Chair Ortiz thought it appeared that the Matanuska-
Susitna (Mat-Su) School District already had an extensive
CTE program. He asked how the bill would augment the
district's existing program.
Ms. Zugg answered that the district had a robust number of
high-quality training programs, but the key linkage was to
connect the programs with work outside the classroom. She
continued that apprenticeship was the modality allowing for
requirement, eligibility, and contracting fidelity. The
district needed a liaison with the Department of Labor and
Workforce Development to connect with systems, and a
connection to the job center. She stressed the importance
of connecting to the training programs and getting students
out for work-based learning opportunities.
9:25:35 AM
Vice-Chair Ortiz asked if the district had an existing
program where students were in work-based apprenticeships
and earned credit for graduation.
Ms. Zugg replied that the district did give credit towards
graduation. The school did periodic evaluations during
which teachers met with employers. Teachers could evaluate
soft stills and provide training specific subsets of skills
that were needed. She mentioned part of the bill with a
spectrum for learning. She discussed foundational courses
that led to industry certifications. She mentioned setting
up a seamless system that would allow students to gain
credit for working to transfer into a career.
Representative Rasmussen asked if the Mat-Su had any CTE
courses for correctional or public safety officers. She
thought the state had a deficit with the number of police
and correctional officers needed in the state.
Ms. Zugg answered that there was currently not an active
program for apprenticeship with correctional or public
safety officers. She mentioned a program of study for law.
The district had looked at the Explorer Program, which was
no longer active. She cited the need for a connection to
curriculum. She noted that the Department of Corrections,
Alaska State Troopers, and police agencies were invited to
the college and career fair in the Mat-Su to recruit and
talk to students.
Co-Chair Merrick set the amendment deadline for Monday
evening.
HB 132 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
9:29:52 AM
AT EASE
9:31:20 AM
RECONVENED
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 1 CSHB 132 Sponsor Statement 3.12.21.pdf |
HFIN 5/6/2021 9:00:00 AM |
HB 132 |
| 4 CSHB 132 ver O Sectional Analysis 4.28.2021.pdf |
HFIN 5/6/2021 9:00:00 AM |
HB 132 |
| 3 CSHB 132 Summary of Changes ver W to ver O 4.28.2021.pdf |
HFIN 5/6/2021 9:00:00 AM |
HB 132 |
| 10 HB 132 Letters of Support as of 4.7.21.pdf |
HFIN 5/6/2021 9:00:00 AM |
HB 132 |
| HB 132 Public Testimony by 050521.pdf |
HFIN 5/6/2021 9:00:00 AM |
HB 132 |
| HB 85 Letters of Support 04.21.2021.pdf |
HFIN 5/6/2021 9:00:00 AM |
HB 85 |
| HB 85 Sectional Analysis ver. G 04.22.2021.pdf |
HFIN 5/6/2021 9:00:00 AM |
HB 85 |
| HB 85 Sponsor Statement 04.22.2021.pdf |
HFIN 5/6/2021 9:00:00 AM |
HB 85 |
| HB 85 Summary of Changes version B to version G 04.22.2021.pdf |
HFIN 5/6/2021 9:00:00 AM |
HB 85 |
| HB 132 Sponsor PowerPoint HFIN 050621.pptx |
HFIN 5/6/2021 9:00:00 AM |
HB 132 |