Editor's note: In the weeks leading up to the 2024 Congress; national affairs examines key issue areas that could lead to bill introductions and vigorous debate in state legislatures.Our latest stories focus on Labor laws.
Georgia employers are ready to expand, but are struggling to find properly trained and qualified applicants. Meanwhile, many aspiring professionals feel held back by their states' often onerous licensing requirements and inefficient licensing boards. That's a problem in a state where one in six jobs requires an occupational license.
Last year, lawmakers working across multiple commissions devised a number of ideas to get more Georgians trained and into high-paying, high-demand jobs. Here are some of their recommendations.
of Senate Study Committee on Georgia Workforce Expansion Last year, we heard from manufacturers, health care providers, logistics companies, construction companies, small business organizations, and local economic development officials. They documented how the lack of skilled labor was counterproductive and costly.
Meanwhile, many industry representatives point out that employers, state universities, technical colleges (and even some high schools) offer training opportunities and career courses that provide in-demand, high-skilled, high-paying jobs. ) made a fuss about some of the partnerships.
Lawmakers want to further support what works in 2024. final report Announced last month, the Georgia Workforce Expansion Commission will increase tuition reimbursement for students pursuing high-demand careers, as well as increase tuition reimbursement between schools in the University System of Georgia and schools in the Georgia Technical College System in high-demand careers. Recommended legislation to develop a credit transfer program. path.
Part of the challenge is defining exactly what an in-demand occupation is. Lists from multiple state agencies include jobs ranging from nurses, teachers and truck drivers to electricians and web developers. Joint Research Committee on Dual Enrollment of Highly-Skilled Young Professionals Clarifying the definition became the top priority. final report.
The report also calls for streamlining and further developing partnership agreements between local school systems, technical colleges, state universities and local employers. The committee aims to provide more college students and students (participating in dual enrollment programs) with high-demand skilled trades such as welding, automotive technology, and aeronautical engineering, as well as advanced skills such as: We want 18-year-old students to study here. Skills like computer coding, robotics, and manufacturing automation are skills that are taking Georgia's new and expansion-minded employers like Rivian, Hyundai, and Qcells deeper into production.
The Dual Enrollment Study Committee also recommended more funding for technical college instructors and high school counselors, who are central to dual enrollment and accelerated career path programs.
Reform the occupational permit process
In Georgia, a group of legislators, state officials, industry leaders and advocates are making it difficult for some people pursuing professional careers to obtain the licenses and certifications they need to get the job. The group is debating what should change about occupational licensing.
Georgia's Expanding Workforce Review Board and the Senate Occupational Licensing Review Board have both revised licensure requirements for some professional boards, including those that regulate nurses, truck drivers, and people in the construction trades. We hope to increase flexibility (educational and experiential).
They also hope that Georgia will align with other states to develop more universal recognition and reciprocity agreements, and that experienced professionals (doctors and other medical professionals) who come from out of state, abroad, or from the military. (including homes), but your credentials will be recognized and accepted more quickly.
Many of the 43 professional licensing boards in the Secretary of State's Office are experiencing significant backlogs in approving license applications and renewals due to understaffing and slow, inefficient technical processes. Occupational License Research Committee final report It also recommended more funding for the ongoing overhaul. SOS License Portalat the request of the Secretary of State's Chief Operating Officer Gabriel Sterling.
Reduce barriers to employment for people with criminal records
Senate Bill 157The bill, which would remove barriers for some people with criminal records to obtain or hold occupational licenses, passed the previous Senate, but did not pass the House. This bill directs the Licensing Commission to develop and clarify guidelines regarding how the type, age, and severity of the criminal offense should be considered when determining the eligibility of persons to work in certain industries. I will do it. It also created a pre-approval process so applicants know whether their license is likely to be approved or denied before investing time and money in professional training. .
Passage of this bill is recommended by the Senate Occupational Licensing Study Committee.
“While convictions for certain crimes should prevent people from obtaining licenses in some fields, the goal is to ensure that those who make mistakes are not prevented from working in the industry and become productive members of society.” “In this case, the criminal record has no bearing on the career field,” said Sen. Brian Strickland, the bill's sponsor and member of the study committee. Rep. (R-McDonough) said.
Republican Lt. Gov. Bert Jones and the majority of bipartisan workforce review committees in both chambers support legislation that would address key parts of the state's workforce shortage. According to the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, 65,000 licensed jobs are unfilled in Georgia's health care, child care, senior care, transportation and financial industries. Approximately 40% of Georgians (population 4.5 million) have a criminal record.
“Bureaucratic rollback”
Reforming the occupational licensing process and opening more jobs to people with criminal records are two components of “.Red tape rollbackJones announced the initiative last November. Jones' plan, backed by Senate leadership and prominent Georgia business leaders, also includes legislation that would expand Georgia's definition of a small business from 100 to 300 employees. This could potentially make more companies eligible for tax breaks while easing some regulatory requirements.
Supporters of the rollback also envision giving members of the General Assembly the power to request and conduct economic analyzes of proposed legislation and agency regulations that affect small businesses before they go into effect.
Addressing the lack of child care options
One of the factors impacting economic development across the state is the chronic shortage of childcare workers and child care workers across the state. Many people who want to enter or return to work are unable to do so because of a lack of quality, affordable child care and preschool programs in their communities.
Early education advocates are calling on Congress to increase state investment in child care and parent services programs that subsidize the cost of child care for low-income families and children with special needs. Currently, only 15% of eligible children in Georgia receive these subsidies.
Other agencies, such as the Georgia Budget Policy Institute, want lawmakers to take advantage of the ever-growing budget. Unlimited Lottery Reserve The Department of Early Education and Learning says the move is to increase wages for preschool workers, especially teaching assistants, who earn a base salary of $20,190.
The House Early Childhood Education Task Force has heard extensive testimony about the challenges the child care crisis poses for employers and workers, but has not yet issued a final report and recommendations.
In October, Rep. Jean Jones (R-Milton), Speaker of the House and chair of the task force, said she and members of the group will discuss funding for preschool programs before the 2024 legislative session begins in January. He said he would make recommendations. 8.
Please read the related articles below.
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https://stateaffairs.com/georgia/education/manufacturing-jobs-reward-skilled-high-school-grads-while-businesses-beg-for-more-trainees-Should-the-state-incentivize-more-tech- training/
Georgia has $2B in lottery reserves, but pre-K child care is in crisis
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