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Legislative Agenda Review: Part 3 Workforce
GNDCWednesday, July 24, 2019GNDC’s 2019 Legislative Agenda focused on three areas: business climate, workforce and infrastructure. These priorities were determined by GNDC members and policy committees and served to guide our work during legislative session. This Legislative Agenda Review is part three of a three-part series to examine the work done within each targeted area.
Part 1: Business Climate
Part 2: Infrastructure
Part 3: WORKFORCE
One of the biggest issues facing the state is the workforce challenge, which is limiting to economic growth. Ensuring progress, with solutions, was a chief concern for the executive and legislative branches of government as well as GNDC. During the interim, Governor Burgum reinvigorated the Workforce Development Council, the legislature worked to further identify and study potential strategies and GNDC formed a Workforce Development Policy Committee to focus on specific pieces of legislation to tackle the challenges associated with workforce.
A snapshot of bills associated with workforce solutions:
HB 1171: Skilled Workforce Student Loan Repayment and Scholarship Program – Attracting and retaining workforce and filling the middle skills gap was the bill's focus. Similar to what other states across the nation offer, the legislature enacted a $12 million program – $6 million in state funding matched with $6 million in private dollars from industry for students and employees in high-demand and emerging career fields. The program will be available for this upcoming fall semester.
SB 2306 Military Occupational Licensure Reciprocity – North Dakota will now reduce barriers for military members and spouses to receive their occupational license in the state. Numerous boards and commissions regulate occupations in North Dakota, such as electricians, nurses and cosmetologists, unintentionally creating barriers to employment. North Dakota will offer reciprocity for military members and their spouses if their license is in good standing in another state.
GNDC worked with both branches of government, along with partners in local chambers and state business leaders, to develop and enact these important pieces of legislation. GNDC is committed to representing industry efforts and continuing collaboration with partners to ensures a strong foundation is being built to address the specific workforce challenges that North Dakota faces.
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Champions for Business.