NEW: Sen. Sheehan Introduces Jobs Match Program legislation
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
Sen. James C. Sheehan (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown) has again this legislative session introduced a bill intended to strengthen statewide interagency collaborations, enhance the current state workforce development and job match system and address skill gaps in a manner that aligns with business and industry needs.
The “Rhode Island Enhanced Jobs Match Program,” (2012-S2693), acknowledges that the state’s career pathways system must be driven by local business and industry needs and calls on the state to make a focused effort to provide easy access for business to find competent employees and for job seekers to obtain necessary resources, training and skills development.
“The Jobs Match Program legislation is all about collaboration and working together to achieve a goal the Senate has been focused on for several years,” said Senator Sheehan, “and that includes ensuring the labor force is equipped with the skills employers need, that workforce development is a focus at all levels of government and education, and that we continue to build partnerships to achieve greater success in addressing skills gaps.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe legislation directs the Department of Labor and Training to implement the Enhanced Job Match System before July 1, 2013, using the department’s existing web-based workforce and job system as a basis. The first requirement of the web-based system enumerated in the bill is that it be easy for employers to participate in, update and receive responses from job seekers. Skill gaps would be identified quickly, and steps taken through training or education to address identified skill gaps. The system would be advertised and promoted to maximize business and employment use.
“Rhode Island needs to build upon the efforts of the Department of Labor and Training to facilitate employers’ access to high quality, skilled job seekers and to reduce the number of unemployed individuals in Rhode Island,” said Senator Sheehan.
The Sheehan “Jobs Match Program” bill grew out of discussions at a Senate-sponsored economic summit held last year, which focused on government-private partnerships and workforce development.
The bill is currently before the Senate Committee on Labor. Among the co-sponsors are President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown) and Senate Majority Leader Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, Providence, North Providence).
