Senate Approves Brubaker Workforce Development Bill

HARRISBURG – The Senate unanimously approved legislation today that would support workforce development efforts by continuing the state's highly successful Industry Partnerships program, according to the bill's sponsor Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36).

Senate Bill 552 would amend Pennsylvania's Workforce Development Act to codify the Industry Partnerships program within the Department of Labor and Industry. The Industry Partnerships program brings together employers, educators and workforce representatives to ensure that workers and job-seekers have the tools and training they need to keep pace with the growing demands of Pennsylvania businesses.

The program allows a cluster of businesses and organizations within an industry to work together to identify and address common workforce needs. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, more than 118,000 workers have received training through the program since its creation in 2005.

In 2009 and 2010, more than 17,200 workers received training through the program. Workers who received training through the Industry Partnerships program received an average 6.62 percent increase in wages in the first year following training.

"This program benefits both employers and employees by helping businesses identify workforce needs and ensuring workers receive the training they need to advance their career," Brubaker said. "Businesses and employees who have participated in this program have expressed a desire to make Industry Partnerships a permanent part of the state's workforce development efforts, and I am very thankful that we are one step closer to making this goal a reality."

The Senate approved similar legislation during the 2009-10 legislative session, but the House of Representatives did not consider the bill before the end of the two-year legislative session.

"Pennsylvania needs jobs, and Industry Partnerships are proven job creators," said Pennsylvania Business Council President and CEO David Patti. "The PBC hopes our friends in the House – Democrats and Republicans – will come together to pass this legislation quickly and send it to Governor Corbett for his signature."

Senate Bill 552 will now go to the House of Representatives for consideration.