Resolve, Directing the Maine Community College System To Evaluate the Need To Expand Workforce Training Options in Waldo County

Sec. 1. Expanding workforce training options in Waldo County; evaluation. Resolved: That the Maine Community College System shall evaluate the unmet need and capacity for expanding workforce training options in Waldo County with the goal of providing additional capacity for training in the most accessible platform possible in industries with identified employee shortages. In conducting the evaluation, the Maine Community College System shall examine the following industries and trades:

1. Nursing or other medical trades;

2. Composites manufacturing;

3. Carpentry;

4. Electrical trades;

5. Millwright trades; and

6. Ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, plumbing and heating.

The Maine Community College System shall use its established methods and practices in assessing the need for expanded workforce training options in Waldo County.

Sec. 2. Strategies for expanding workforce training options. Resolved: That, if the Maine Community College System, while conducting the study in section 1, finds that a need for workforce training options exists in any of the industries and trades examined, the Maine Community College System shall assess the best way to increase capacity and opportunity. Potential strategies for the consideration include but are not limited to:

1. Expanding access through Maine Quality Centers under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 12727;

2. Long-distance learning options; and

3. Colocation or collaboration with other learning institutions.

Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That, by December 4, 2019, the Maine Community College System shall submit a report based on its evaluation in section 1 identifying if and where needs exist and outlining the best options to meet those needs to the Joint Standing Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business. The report, including suggested legislation, must include but is not limited to:

1. What unmet workforce training needs exist;

2. What industries should be prioritized for expanded workforce training options;

3. The best methods for expanding workforce training options;

4. Costs and facility needs for expanding workforce training programming; and

5. A timeline for implementation of expanded workforce training options.

The Joint Standing Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business is authorized to submit legislation related to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.

summary

This resolve directs the Maine Community College System to evaluate the unmet need and capacity for expanding workforce training options in Waldo County with the goal of providing additional capacity for training in industries with identified employee shortages. The Maine Community College System is required to submit a report with suggested legislation by December 4, 2019 to the Joint Standing Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business, which may submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.