HJ98: Green industries; VEC to study regional skills gaps.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 98
WHEREAS, green industries have the potential to be a major source of new, high-paying jobs in the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, skills gaps are a potential barrier to the growth of many green industries, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, and environmental services; and
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth would benefit from an analysis of such skills gaps that identifies which regions of the Commonwealth face the greatest skills gaps for green industries; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Virginia Employment Commission be requested to study regional skills gaps for the fastest growing green industries.
In conducting its study, the Virginia Employment Commission shall (i) identify the top three green energy industries in Virginia projected to have the largest employment growth in the next five years; (ii) identify skills gaps for these industries in the regions, as defined by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, in which each of these industries is projected to grow the most; (iii) identify skills needs for each of these industries; (iv) assess, by region, available public workforce programs, community college programs, industry-led partnerships and programs, vocational and technical education programs, and apprenticeship and other training programs; and (v) make recommendations for how state agencies can help meet future skills needs.
Technical assistance shall be provided to the Virginia Employment Commission by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Virginia Employment Commission for this study, upon request.
In its conduct of this study, the Virginia Employment Commission shall consult with representatives of the following groups and organizations: the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Virginia Department of Industry and Labor, the Virginia Community College System, K-12 public education systems, local school boards, the public workforce system, industry associations, unions, and vocational education programs.
The Virginia Employment Commission shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2020, and shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an executive summary and a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports no later than the first day of the 2021 Regular Session of the General Assembly and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.