Legislature(2021 - 2022)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/15/2021 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Workforce Development Overview: Covid-19 Funding | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 15, 2021
9:04 a.m.
9:04:45 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Bishop called the Senate Finance Committee meeting
to order at 9:04 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Click Bishop, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Lyman Hoffman
Senator Donny Olson
Senator Natasha von Imhof
Senator Bill Wielechowski
Senator David Wilson
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Tamika Ledbetter, Commissioner, Department of Labor and
Workforce Development; Michael Johnson, Commissioner,
Department of Education and Early Development; Deborah
Riddle, Division Operations Manager, Department of
Education and Early Development; Brad Billings, CTE
Administrator, Department of Education and Early
Development; Pat Pitney, Interim President, University of
Alaska; Teri Cothren, Associate Vice President, Workforce
Development, University of Alaska, Anchorage.
SUMMARY
^WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW: COVID-19 FUNDING
9:06:38 AM
TAMIKA LEDBETTER, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (via teleconference), discussed the
presentation, "Career and Technical Education in Alaska;
Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development;
Alaska Department of Education and Early Development;
University of Alaska" (copy on file). She looked at slide
2, "2010 Alaska Career and Technical Education Plan":
DEED, DOLWD, and UA lead agencies
Advisory committee
Public input
Annual advisory committee work sessions
Commissioner Ledbetter addressed slide 3:
Created an addendum to:
Review the 2010 Plan strategies
Reenergize the conversation around CTE
Provide advocacy tool and strategy guidance
Looking Ahead: Call to Action
Promote CTE
Leverage Existing Workforce Planning Efforts
Communication with Partners
Advocate for CTE Investments
Commissioner Ledbetter pointed to slide 4, "Career and
Technical Education Infrastructure."
9:12:38 AM
Commissioner Ledbetter looked at slide 5, "State Funded
Training Programs."
The State Training and Employment Program (STEP)
?STEP funded by a percent of employee contributions
to unemployment insurance training fund.
?Training providers apply for STEP funding through a
competitive process.
?In FY 21 there were 35 STEP grantees with a total
award of $5,512,765.
Alaska Construction Academy (ACA)
?The construction academies are funded by general fund
dollars determined by the legislature.
?In FY 21 there were 8 construction academies with a
total award of $1,754,542.
Alaska Technical and Vocational Education Program
(TVEP)
?The percentage awarded to recipients is determined by
the legislature and is in statute.
?In FY21 there were seven TVEP recipients with a total
award amount of $4,350,000.
9:16:19 AM
Commissioner Ledbetter highlighted slide 6, "Federally
Funded Training Programs":
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth
Program
?Providers receive funding through a competitive grant
process.
?In FY21 there were 13 WIOA Youth providers.
?The amount of the awards totaled $3,736,854.
National Emergency Dislocated Worker Program
?In FY21 the NEG provided $767,104 in recovery funds
in response to the November 2018 earthquake.
Statewide Projects Program
?Alaska Works Partnership Inc. Helmets to Hardhats.
?Alaska Coalition on Housing and Homelessness Youth
Housing Development Program.
?The FY21 funding amount was $450,000.
Commissioner Ledbetter looked at slide 7, "Apprenticeship":
The American Apprenticeship Initiative (AAI)
?Grant funds are used to expand healthcare sponsorship
and provide pre-apprenticeship training funds.
?To date Apprenticeship Specialists have signed over
90 healthcare sponsors and registered over 650
apprentices in 17 healthcare occupations.
?Total grant award $2,999,999.
The State Apprenticeship Expansion (SAE)
?The grant focus is to support integrated, statewide
apprenticeship strategies and state capacity to engage
industry and meet demand for new programs in both
traditional industries.
?Total grant award $1,867,586.
Apprenticeship State Expansion (ASE)
?The purpose of this grant is to integrate
construction Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAP)
into the state workforce development system.
?Total grant award is $1,000,000.
Co-Chair Bishop asked for more information regarding Alaska
Works Partnership Inc. Helmets to Hardhats.
Commissioner Ledbetter replied that the program supported
training, career guidance, and apprenticeship education for
veterans, transitioning soldiers, guardsmen, reserves, and
their spouses. Participants attended a construction career
exploration and basic skills course for a variety of trades
and craft occupations. She was invested in the work related
to serving the veterans, as she herself was a veteran.
9:20:33 AM
Co-Chair Bishop explained that the program had direct entry
into the apprenticeship programs.
Commissioner Ledbetter discussed slide 8, "Alaska Job
Center Network." She shared that the map showed the twelve
job centers located in the state. She stressed that many
people knew of the department, because they entered the
services through the local job center.
Co-Chair Bishop encouraged the use of funds toward the job
centers in Utqiagvik and Kotzebue.
Commissioner Ledbetter noted the point.
Commissioner Ledbetter highlighted slide 9, "Regional
Training Centers":
1.Alaska Technical Center
2.AVTEC
3.Delta Career Advancement Center
4.Fairbanks Pipeline Training Center
5.Galena Interior Learning Academy
6.NACTEC -Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical
Center
7.North Slope Training and Education Cooperative
8.SAVEC Southwest Alaska Vocational Education Center
9.SE Alaska Career Center
?UA Workforce Programs
10.Yuut Elitnaurviat -Peoples Learning Center
Commissioner Ledbetter pointed to slide 10, "FY21 AWIB
Training Grants." She noted that the outline of the
distribution of the funding. She stressed that it was not
an inclusive list, but gave a visual of how the department
supported multiple programs.
Commissioner Ledbetter looked at slide 11, "Alaska
Vocational Technical Education Center (AVTEC) at a Glance":
?A division of the DOLWD.
?Provides postsecondary CTE (vocational education)
since 1969.
?Employer driven.
?Relevant training for Alaska jobs.
?Five year average, over 90 percent student
completion.
?90 percent placement and employment.
?Ranked in top 1 percent nationwide for best return on
investment.
9:25:36 AM
Senator von Imhof encouraged a "deep dive" into the
upcoming slide, and asked for a description of all the
acronyms.
Commissioner Ledbetter agreed.
Commissioner Ledbetter highlighted slide 12, "AVTEC
Funding." She stated that the funding was federal funds,
designated funds, and individual accounts. She wondered
whether there could be a follow up of a "deep dive" for the
funding and its allocation.
Co-Chair Bishop stated that the written question would be
submitted, and agreed to a later description.
Commissioner Ledbetter expressed that the workforce
development plan was in place to meet the demands of the
growing and equipping Alaska's own workforce.
Senator Wielechowski requested the number of people who
were going through the programs, and the waiting list for
the program. He queried the investment return on the
appropriation for certain programs.
Commissioner Ledbetter agreed to follow up.
Co-Chair Bishop wondered whether there were regular
meetings with the other participants regarding the CTE
program.
Commissioner Ledbetter replied in the affirmative.
9:30:21 AM
Co-Chair Bishop asked whether there were any current job
fairs in Anchorage, particularly in the air freight
industry.
Commissioner Ledbetter replied that the job fairs would
soon be geared up across the state, and remarked that many
would be virtual events.
Senator von Imhof queried the department's plan for the
CARES funding in AVTEC.
Co-Chair Bishop requested a list of different funding
agencies for student grants.
9:32:08 AM
MICHAEL JOHNSON, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
EARLY DEVELOPMENT (via teleconference), looked at slide 14,
"Department of Education and Early Development." He pointed
to slide 15, "Our Strategic Priorities: Alaska's Education
Challenge":
Five Shared Priorities:
1. Support all students to read at grade level by the
end of third grade
2. Increase career, technical, and culturally relevant
education to meet student and workforce needs
3. Close the achievement gap by ensuring equitable
educational rigor and resources
4. Prepare, attract, and retain effective education
professionals
5. Improve the safety and well-being of students
through school partnerships with families,
communities, and tribes
Co-Chair Bishop stressed that the graduation rate was at
approximately 80 percent with the CTE program. He remarked
that, in 2006, the state graduation rate was 63 percent.
9:36:14 AM
DEBORAH RIDDLE, DIVISION OPERATIONS MANAGER, DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT (via teleconference),
(DEED) addressed slide 16, "Federal Perkins Requirements":
?State Plan for Strengthening Career and Technical
Education (CTE) for the 21stCentury Act ('Perkins V')
Approved July 1, 2020 by the U.S. Department of
Education -Office of Career, Technical, and Adult
Education (OCTAE)
?Implement high quality CTE Programs of Study
(CTEPS)
?Strong emphasis on Equity-Special Populations
?Preparing Teachers and Faculty
?Work-Based Learning Focus
9:40:19 AM
BRAD BILLINGS, CTE ADMINISTRATOR, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT (via teleconference), pointed to
slide 17, "High Quality CTE Program of Study":
?Responsive to demand
?Student career development
?Multiple "stacked" courses
?Academic, employability, and technical standards
?Post-secondary recognized credentials or credit
?Work-based learning
Mr. Billings discussed student career development and the
other bullet points on the slide. He discussed academic and
technical standards.
Mr. Billings continued to discuss slide 17. He elaborated
on the idea of work-based learning.
9:45:23 AM
MS. Riddle discussed slide 18, "State CTE Efforts":
?Alaska's Education Challenge Shared Priority 2
?Creation of the Alaska Work-Based Learning Guide May
2020
Created in partnership with:
?Department of Labor and Workforce
Development
?Department of Commerce, Community and
Economic Development
?Industry Partners
?School Districts
Work-Based Learning Guide
?Annual statewide CTE conferences
?Monthly collaborative calls with UA system
?Active partners with TVEP funding recipients
9:49:42 AM
Mr. Billings highlighted slide 19, "Current CTE Funding."
He stated that, annually, the state received $5.1 million,
and 85 percent of that money was passed on through the
formula to participating school districts.
Senator Olson asked the source of the Perkins funding.
Mr. Billings replied that the Perkins funding funneled
federal funds through the states for career and technical
programs.
9:54:43 AM
Ms. Riddle pointed to slide 20, "Federal COVID Relief
Funding CTE Support":
?School District Funds (CARES, CRRSA, ARP Acts)
?Provide after-school and summer programs
?Build out or address facility or equipment needs
?Fund staffing, partnerships, and employer-community
outreach
?Additional support for Career and Technical Student
Organizations (CTSOs)
?Professional development and retaining of educators
and counselors, including Type M
?Continue to expand virtual CTE coursework by
developing partnerships across districts
Senator von Imhof wondered whether there was a relationship
with the Lower Yukon School District that sent students to
Anchorage to attend the King Career Technical School.
Ms. Riddle agreed to provide that information.
Mr. Billings explained that that the model of the short-
term residential program had developed and evolved over the
years.
Senator von Imhof wondered whether there were successes in
the program.
Mr. Billings replied in the affirmative. He stated that the
districts were expanding the to the model. He also remarked
that the strength of technical education was the hands-on
element, but pointed out that there were real geographical
challenges for people to access the hands-on training. He
remarked that COVID had forced the acceleration of the
distribution of education and resources across the state.
10:01:23 AM
Ms. Riddle looked at slide 21, "Federal COVID Relief
Funding CTE Support cont'd":
?DEED Set-Aside (CARES $3.8M, CRRSA $15.9M, ARP $35.8M
Acts)
?ARP Act requires at least 5 percent of funding be
used for activities to address summer learning loss,
at least 1 percent for summer enrichment activities,
and at least 1 percent for afterschool programs
?Work through the State Board of Education and with
stakeholders to steward these funds for the next
several school years to support the shared priorities
of the Alaska's Education Challenge
10:05:23 AM
PAT PITNEY, INTERIM PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA (via
teleconference), introduced herself.
10:06:28 AM
TERI COTHREN, ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT, WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT, UA, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), pointed to
slide 23, "University of Alaska Career and Technical
Education."
Ms. Cothren looked slide 24, "How UA Supports CTE":
?Creating and supporting pathways
?Delivering programs that meet high-demand and
regional workforce needs
?Providing continuing education and professional
development to support job retention and career
advancement
10:10:36 AM
Ms. Cothren addressed slide 25, "UA CTE Key Funding
Sources":
?Community Campuses and CTE Programs
o FY20 Tuition Revenue $29.4 million
o FY21 UGF $38.4 million
?State Grants
o FY21 TVEP $5.8 million
o FY21 STEP $298.8 thousand
?Perkins Federal Grants
o Annually through FY22 $340 thousand
Ms. Cothren looked at slide 26, "Agency Partnerships
Strengthen CTE":
?DEED
o Annual conference
o Development and communication of resources
o Perkins Advisory Committee
o Perkins postsecondary reporting
?DOLWD
o Apprenticeships
o Eligible Training Provider List
o CTE Reporting
o AVTEC articulation agreements
o Alaska Maritime Education Consortium
10:15:32 AM
President Pitney looked at slide 27, "COVID-19 Support and
Impacts":
?UA's overall COVID impact due to additional costs and
lost revenues totals $77.5 million
o CTE programs would be part of these additional
costs and lost revenues
otals from three different funding packages and a
small amount of DHSS and community CARES Act funding
o $56.8 million for institutional aid
o $23.5 million specifically directed to pass
through as student aid (CTE students are also
eligible)
?Each funding package has its own restrictions on
funding use and the student aid has been directed to
current students
?All federal COVID related funds UA has received will
fall short by approximately $20.7 million of the cost
and revenue impacts to date and those expected in the
next 6 to 18 months
10:20:09 AM
Co-Chair Stedman asked for more information about the
process of the maintenance of effort, and the potential
impact of budget reductions.
President Pitney replied responded that, because of the
compact reductions and rules on maintenance of effort, the
estimates showed that the reductions to the University
funding would put K-12 funding at risk.
Senator Hoffman noted that the University Board of
Directors had agreed to the compact for an additional
reduction of $20 million, and the House was considering
ignoring that compact. He wondered how that effort would
change the effort of the university.
President Pitney replied that the board requested as part
of the legislative request a COVID mitigation plan.
Senator Hoffman surmised that there was an additional
revenue from the impact of COVID.
President Pitney replied that there was an anticipation of
another $20 million impact in both revenue losses and cost
increases, that was over the direct subsidies. She stated
that the board had requested $15.7 for COVID mitigation.
She felt that the House's action recognized the impact of
COVID, and did not ignore the compact.
Senator Hoffman commented on the funding source. He
wondered whether the board had considered the long-term
effects.
President Pitney responded that there was an anticipation
that stability could be reached from return after COVID
with enrollment, but she stressed that there were major
difficulties. She felt that the relief from the impact of
COVID would result in continued management. She felt that
there were major opportunities to assist the state in its
economic recovery.
10:29:13 AM
President Pitney pointed to slide 28, "Potential Funding
Opportunities Federal CTE Proposals":
?Working with the Office of Management and Budget
?Support Workforce Training $70 million
o Training 2,000 students per year over three
years
o Industry specific
o One and two-year workforce programs for
specific labor needs
?$60 million in direct support (books, fees)
?$8.5 million for equipment, etc.
?$1.5 million in advertising/partnering with
Departments of Commerce and Labor
?Support Key Industry Partnerships/Applied Industry
Research $32 million
o Critical future economic areas: Oil, gas, and
energy; Mining and strategic minerals; Fisheries,
maritime and maricultural; Arctic and national
defense; Unmanned aviation and aerospace
o 30 specialists/post-doctoral fellows ($10
million); 70 graduate and undergraduate student
assistants ($10 million); Matching grants and
equipment for pilot projects ($10 million); 8-10
specific industry focused conferences
Senator von Imhof remarked that there was a conversation
about financing opportunities for workforces and career
development. She felt that there should be tuition
assistance for anyone who might want to adjust their
career.
Co-Chair Bishop remarked that there could be an endowment
created with some of the federal funds.
10:35:39 AM
AT EASE
10:37:15 AM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Bishop cancelled the day's afternoon meeting. He
explained the following day's agenda, and discussed
housekeeping.
ADJOURNMENT
10:38:13 AM
The meeting was adjourned at 10:38 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 041521 UA Covid Recovery Proposal - Overview - March 13 2021 (1).pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2021 9:00:00 AM |
Workforce Development - COVID 19 Funding |
| 041521 UA Covid Recovery - Industry Sector Background -March 13 2021.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2021 9:00:00 AM |
Workforce Development - COVID 19 Funding |
| 041521Presentation - (S)FIN CTE in Alaska by DOLWD, DEED, UA.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2021 9:00:00 AM |
Workforce Development Covid 19 Funding |