THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

90

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

requesting review of and recommendations on policies to align workforce development education to respond to economic and workforce needs.

 

WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that the State's economy is creating fewer jobs while the labor force growth rate is similarly anemic; and

WHEREAS, analysts have warned that the slow workforce growth is a long-term trend stemming from the looming retirement of the "baby boom" generation (individuals born between 1946 and 1964) and an insufficient number of individuals to replace them in the workforce; and

WHEREAS, the exit of the baby boomers from the workforce is already having a considerable adverse impact on economic growth and quality of life; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii faces tremendous challenges in the immediate future due to the disparity between the large population of existing and near-term retirees and the smaller number of individuals entering the workforce whose numbers are being diminished by the exodus of individuals seeking jobs and higher pay in other states; and

WHEREAS, this workforce deficit will be detrimental to the State's plans for economic diversification and expansion, creation of new and higher paying jobs in high skilled industries, attracting investors, and encouraging businesses and workers to locate and remain in the State; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii has a strong and comprehensive system of education and workforce preparation beginning with early childhood programs and continuing into kindergarten and higher education programs, including school-to-work, smaller learning communities, career academies, career pathways, e-schools, career and technical education, and other education and transition programs and services; and

WHEREAS, the basic mission of the public education system is not only to prepare people for citizenship and individual self-realization, but also to earn a living; and

WHEREAS, workforce education must be a part of workforce and economic development strategic planning to attract business creation, expansion, and diversification; and

WHEREAS, the Career and Technical Education Coordinating Advisory Council of the University of Hawaii advises the Board of Education and the Board of Regents on career and technical education policies, programs, and services, and on related economic and workforce development issues; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Career and Technical Education Coordinating Advisory Council (Council) of the University of Hawaii is requested to:

(1) Review and report on the capacity and alignment of public workforce education programs and services to respond to current and future economic and workforce needs; and

(2) Recommend to the Board of Education and the Board of Regents general policy and program measures that should be considered for improvements and changes in the capacity and alignment of workforce education programs and services to respond to current and future economic and workforce needs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council shall submit a report to the Legislature, Board of Education, and Board of Regents on its review and recommendations, including proposed legislation, not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2004; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Superintendent of Education, Chair of the Board of Regents, and the Career and Technical Education Coordinating Advisory Council of the University of Hawaii.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Workforce Development; Alignment With Workforce Needs