Legislature(2013 - 2014)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/04/2013 05:00 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearings | |
| SB93 | |
| SB25 | |
| HB71 | |
| SB58 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | SB 93 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 25 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| HB 71 | |||
| *+ | SB 58 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 61 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 79 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 93-TECHNICAL/VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
5:31:23 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SB 93, sponsored by Senator Donny Olson. "An
Act extending the unemployment contributions for the Alaska
technical and vocational education program."
5:31:38 PM
DAVID SCOTT, Staff, Senator Donny Olson, introduced SB 93 on
behalf of the sponsor. He spoke to the following sponsor
statement: [Original punctuation provided.]
The Technical and Vocational Education Fund authorized
under AS 23.15.840 sunsets on June 30, 2014. Senate
Bill 93 extends the sunset date to June 30, 2024.
In 2000 the Alaska Legislature created the Training
and Vocational Education Program to provide financial
assistance to support facilities throughout the state
that provide technical and educational programs for
industry specific training.
Alaska was experiencing unemployment rates that were
reaching to above 50% of the national average in 2008.
With large projects on the horizon, there was a clear
need for a trained, resident work force. The TVEP
program was extended to provide training to Alaskan
residents to help reduce the unemployment rate and put
Alaskan residents to work. Figures released on March
14, 2013 by the Department of Labor indicated that
unemployment rates in Alaska for December of 2012 were
6.6%, while the national average was 8.1%. Alaska has
had a consistent lower rate than the national average
for the past forty-six months, indicating the
effectiveness of this program.
Funds for the TVEP program are appropriated from
amounts the state collects in unemployment insurance
contributions at a rate of .15 percent and are
allocated according to statute.
The more we can train our youth, as they enter the
work force, the more we will re-enforce the
desirability of staying in Alaska as part of a highly
skilled, resident work force. The last five years has
shown this fund works. We can double the effectiveness
with ten more years.
MR. SCOTT stated that by statute each of the ten entities in the
program is required to submit an annual report to the
legislature. He noted that the Department of Labor and Workforce
Development (DOLWD) and the University of Alaska each submitted
fiscal notes.
SENATOR MICCICHE said he only had one fiscal note.
5:33:34 PM
At ease
5:34:18 PM
CHAIR DUNLEAVY reconvened the meeting and recognized Fred Villa.
5:34:29 PM
FRED VILLA, Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs, Office
of Workforce Programs, University of Alaska (UA), testified in
support of SB 93. He thanked the committee for hearing the
legislation and Senator Olson for sponsoring it, because it is a
critical part of the university's career and technical education
programs. He reported that the University of Alaska has over 200
workforce development programs and it uses TVEP funding for
startup, for bridging from federal or other programmatic funds,
and for sustainable funding. He explained that the university's
role in workforce development is threefold: pre-college programs
to connect youth with career pathways and help prepare them for
academic rigors, academic certificates and degree programs, and
professional development programs. The priorities in workforce
development are economic and community development, career
pathways that provide a series of connected education and
training programs, and high demand jobs.
MR. VILLA explained that TVEP funding has been critical in
helping UA meet Alaska's workforce training and educational
needs. The Workforce Programs Office works with representatives
from the UA campuses, the Department of Labor and the Alaska
Workforce Investment Board to identify state priority industry
sectors and high-demand jobs, including regional priorities for
occupational training programs. The campuses submit proposals
based on the identified needs, and funding is distributed to the
highest priority programs. He described specific pre-college and
professional development programs.
CHAIR DUNLEAVY noted that Greg Cashen with the Department of
Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) was available to answer
questions on the bill.
5:40:21 PM
SENATOR MICCICHE summarized that the bill extends for ten years
an extremely successful program. He stated support for the bill.
5:41:04 PM
At ease
SENATOR MICCICHE moved to report SB 93, labeled 28-LS0728\A,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
CHAIR DUNLEAVY announced that without objection SB 93 moved from
the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.