SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 63

(By Senators Unger, Craigo, Sharpe, Jackson, Chafin,

Prezioso, Plymale, Love, Helmick, Bowman, Bailey, Anderson,

Edgell, McCabe, Boley, Minear and Sprouse)


(Originating in the Committee on Finance; reported April 13, 2001.)


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study workforce development initiatives in and for the State of West Virginia.

Whereas, The federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 has provided an opportunity for West Virginia to coordinate and hold accountable the various state and federal workforce investment programs;
Whereas, The future economic development of West Virginia depends on a highly skilled workforce;
Whereas, West Virginians need high-quality education, training, literacy and vocational rehabilitation programs to obtain the skills needed for gainful employment;
Whereas, The educational system, from preschool to post- secondary training, is critical in ensuring that businesses' needs are met;
Whereas, To compete in the new global economy, West Virginia needs to develop a workforce investment system that anticipates and responds to the changing economy and its workforce;
Whereas, A single workforce investment system with a shared vision, mission and goals that is linked to employer needs and aligns with economic development plans is necessary to achieve increased employment, earnings and occupational skills, thus enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of West Virginia; and
Whereas, An effective workforce investment system must encompass workforce investment programs that are outcome-focused, coordinate activities, maintain accountability standards and emphasize system building at the state and regional levels; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is requested to review, examine and study the status of West Virginia's workforce development initiatives by addressing the development of a workforce investment system that: Is closely aligned with the standards and practices that are part of businesses' internal resource system; moves beyond initial job preparation and placement to include ongoing skill development and career progression for employed workers and for the most disadvantaged in the labor market; emphasizes better coordination of workforce investment programs; encompasses accountability measures; promotes efficiencies by reducing multiple duplication of efforts in the provision of welfare-to-work and workforce programs; and improves the effectiveness and responsiveness of the workforce investment system by creating a system that mandates employers' involvement and links economic development efforts to the system, thus allowing the system to be more responsive to changing economic requirement; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the study shall serve the purpose of outlining a workforce investment system that provides workforce investment activities, through statewide and regional workforce investment systems, that increases employment, retention, earnings and occupational skill attainment of participants and, as a result, improves the productivity and competitiveness of West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2002, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.