NEW: Lawmaker Proposes “Return to Work” Program
Monday, January 30, 2012
In an article in the December issue of Governing magazine that focused on a back-to-work initiative in Georgia, a sub-headline got Rep. Joseph M. McNamara’s attention.
It says: “A program that’s attracted national attention shows that businesses might hire more workers if they don’t have to pay for training.”
The continuing success of the Georgia program, a public-private sectors partnership, is the reason Representative McNamara is again trying to bring a version of the initiative to Rhode Island. Again this session, Representative McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) has introduced legislation to create “The Rhode Island Return to Work Act,” to be run through the Department of Labor and Training to assist unemployed Rhode Islanders get jobs and job training.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“There are glimmers of hope that the economy is beginning to rebound, but the recovery is expected to be slow,” said Representative McNamara. “Employers, especially small businesses, remain uncertain about taking on new employees, and it can be difficult for someone who is unemployed to give up benefits for a job that may not last, or for an entry level/training position that pays less than a benefit check.”
Modeled on the program in Georgia, which has already been adopted and implemented in New Hampshire, the McNamara legislation, 2012-H 7252, seeks to address the concerns of both the unemployed and employers by allowing individuals to continue to collect benefits while they are involved in an approved training program with a Rhode Island employer.
Businesses, especially in this climate, said Representative McNamara, face real concerns about the time and money it takes to recruit, hire and train new workers, who may not work out. “If employers know they can take the time to prepare an individual to do a skilled job without the upfront cost of training that worker, the decision to add to staff may be easier to make,” he said. “There is no added cost to state government, since those individuals who are collecting while in a job-training setting would be collecting unemployment benefits, anyway. The greatest benefit is that, the better this program works, the more unemployed Rhode Islanders find jobs.”
The Georgia program, which started in 2003, has employed more than 4,000 people and certified more than 20,000 people in various professions. In New Hampshire, which began its program in 2010, 65 percent of participants have gone from trainee to employee.
The McNamara legislation would make the program voluntary, with the training placements authorized by the state and for a training period of up to six weeks (during which time the trainee would continue to collect unemployment benefits).
“Our top focus in this state must be on getting people back to work,” said Representative McNamara. “The bill I have introduced will provide another tool that can be used to help people learn new skills, to get people back to work, to help businesses grow and take on more employees. The end result is a greater economic recovery for those who are unemployed and looking for work, for businesses and for the entire state.”
The legislation is currently before the House Committee on Labor and is co-sponsored by Rep. Jan P. Malik (D-Dist. 67, Barrington, Warren), Rep. Raymond E. Gallison Jr. (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth), Rep. Richard P. Morrison (D-Dist. 68, Bristol, Warren) and Rep. James N. McLaughlin (D-Dist. 57, Cumberland, Central Falls).
The bill is scheduled for a hearing Wednesday, February 1, before the House Committee on Labor. The hearing will be held in Room 201 of the State House and will begin at the Rise of the House (approximately 5 p.m.).
