BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1903
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 7, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
Sandre Swanson, Chair
AB 1903 (Fong) - As Introduced: February 16, 2010
SUBJECT : California Workforce and Economic Information
Program.
SUMMARY : Requires the services currently provided by the
existing labor market information system with the Employment
Development Department (EDD) to include a comprehensive search
engine that includes, but is not limited to, a database of
public higher education career technical education programs,
career assessment tools, and a job search database. Also
requires the search engine be made available to job seekers who
apply online with EDD for unemployment compensation benefits.
EXISTING LAW establishes the California Workforce and Economic
Information Program, which requires EDD's Labor Market
Information Department (LMID), in coordination with other
specified state agencies, to provide workforce and economic
information that provides data and information regarding the
state's economic growth, identify information from various state
databases to provide statewide analysis and products, and
provide technical assistance related to accessing workforce and
economic information to specified local agencies and private
entities.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS :
According to the author, the EDD's current website lists various
tabs such as "Job Training" and "Labor Market Info", which
contain helpful information. However, the website lacks a
comprehensive, intuitive and engaging web based portal that
would allow job seekers to not only search for current job
listings, but to assess their skills and connect them with
higher education courses to prepare them for new fields.
The Department of Education has created a similar website for
middle and high school students that could be used as a possible
template for EDD to follow. The LMID within EDD helped, among
others, to develop the website. Funding for this website was
AB 1903
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paid for through an allocation of Carl D. Perkins from the
Department of Education. The Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 was established to
improve career-technical education programs, integrate academic
and career-technical instruct, serve special populations and
meet gender equity needs.
This legislation creates a website hosted by EDD aimed at
linking job seekers with career opportunities in their current
field, as well as the opportunity to explore other industries
along with the necessary career technical education courses
offered to improve job skills. EDD has already received Carl D
Perkins funding that it may use to set up the website.
The Faculty Association of California Community Colleges and the
California Community College Association for Occupational
Education, co sponsors of this bill, both state a key component
to revitalizing the economy rests in training Californians for
work in emerging industries. Development of an integrated
approach, linking job opportunities to skills assessment to
educational opportunities facilitates this process.
Related Background
The federal Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933 was amended by the federal
Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), which provides for
workforce investment activities, including activities in which
states may participate and also contains various programs for
job and employment investment, including work incentive
programs, as specified.
The California Workforce Investment Board (CWIB) is responsible
for assisting the Governor in all the functions outlined in the
Workforce Investment Act of 1998. The CWIB has adopted Sector
Strategies as the statewide framework for workforce development,
and is working closely with the California Economic Strategy
Panel, other State Agencies and departments and its 49 local
Workforce Investment Boards to support effective statewide and
regionally driven sector initiatives.
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The California Economic Strategy Panel (Panel) is a
fifteen-member panel which continuously examines changes in the
state's economic base and industry sectors to develop a
statewide vision and strategic initiative to guide public policy
decision for economic growth and competitiveness. In 2003 the
Panel initiated a new project to produce a series of studies,
the California Regional Economies Project (CREP) to help provide
"real time" industry trends and to create a bridge for dialogue
and collaboration between the economic and workforce development
worlds. The CREP is sponsored by the CWIB to help address its
own need for timely information about the economy and key labor
and workforce issues that help drive investment decisions.
The EDD is the primary state department responsible for the
day-today administration of WIA. It administers WIA program
funding, implements the state policies and directives and
interprets federal regulations and guidelines.
The Employment Development Department's LMID is responsible for
providing data and information to both the Panel and the CWIB
under current law for continuous strategic planning and
development of policies for growth and competitiveness of the
state economy. LMID also, among other things, coordinates with
various state agencies in developing economic and workforce
information.
Prior and Related Legislation :
AB 2876 (Aroner) Chapter 108, Statutes of 2000, a Budget trailer
omnibus bill, which among other things, clarifies the duties of
the labor market information program administered by the EDD,
including coordinating with specified state agencies in
developing economic and workforce information.
SB 293 (Ducheny) Chapter 630, Statutes of 2006, restructures and
revises provisions related to the state administration of and
education services under the federal Workforce Investment Act of
1998 (WIA) by a California Workforce Investment Board (CWIB).
SB 1424 (Figueroa) of 2006 would have required the EDD to
provide data and information, as specified, to consult with an
advisory committee, and publish a biennial report relative to
the manufacturing sector, as specified. SB 1424 was held under
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submission by Assembly Appropriations Committee.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
California Community College Association for Occupational
Education (CoSponsor)
California Postsecondary Education Commission
Faculty Association of California Community Colleges (CoSponsor)
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Lorie Erickson / L. & E. / (916)
319-2091