PRINTER'S NO. 706
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
59
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY SMITH, FONTANA, TEPLITZ, TARTAGLIONE, VULAKOVICH,
BREWSTER, HUGHES, FARNESE, GORDNER, YUDICHAK, WILEY, COSTA,
SCHWANK, BOSCOLA, HUTCHINSON, BROWNE AND BLAKE, APRIL 8, 2015
REFERRED TO LABOR AND INDUSTRY, APRIL 8, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
conduct a comprehensive study of work force investment
programs of the Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, The work force investment system of the Commonwealth
is comprised of multiple programs housed in various State
government agencies, including the Department of Labor and
Industry, the Department of Education, the Department of
Community and Economic Development, the Department of Human
Services, the Department of Aging and the Department of
Corrections; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth currently spends in excess of $650
million of Federal and State funds on work force investment
initiatives; and
WHEREAS, The taxpayers and workers of this Commonwealth
rightfully deserve to have the most robust, innovative,
successful and cost-effective work force investment system
possible; and
WHEREAS, Anecdotal evidence suggests that this Commonwealth's
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work force investment system is too fragmented by virtue of
being administered by multiple agencies, there is not sufficient
coordination and communication between agencies and that a more
refined and streamlined system may return more effective
outcomes; and
WHEREAS, Many of this Commonwealth's leading industry
employers have expressed concerns that far too many recent high
school graduates lack the proper skills necessary to be
productive and successful employees; and
WHEREAS, Additional efforts toward collaboration between
community colleges and employers to develop programs designed to
provide training and certificate programs to prepare employees
for the work force would be beneficial; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Legislative Budget and
Finance Committee to conduct a comprehensive study of work force
investment programs of the Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study focus on an outcome-based system
that strives for success; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the committee identify all work force
investment programs contained in all State agencies and evaluate
the effectiveness of the programs in terms of coordination of
efforts toward successful outcomes achieved with the dollars
spent; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the committee identify and review any
conditions placed on funding received from the Federal
Government that is passed through to State agencies for work
force investment programs in this Commonwealth; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the committee study the cost of all work force
investment programs in this Commonwealth with three comparable
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states in terms of population and diversity of work force; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That in compiling this report the committee seek
input from the Department of Labor and Industry, the Department
of Education, the Department of Community and Economic
Development, the Department of Human Services, the Department of
Aging, the Department of Corrections, the Pennsylvania Workforce
Investment Board, the Pennsylvania Commission for Community
Colleges, the Team Pennsylvania Foundation, labor unions and any
other groups or individuals who may have information relevant to
the study; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
report its findings and recommendations to the Senate no later
than December 31, 2015.
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