Counties Support Apprenticeship Commission, Ask for Representation

On February 23, 2023, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the Senate Finance Committee in support of SB 413 – Apprenticeship 2030 Commission with amendments.

This bill establishes the Apprenticeship 2030 Commission to examine and make recommendations to expand access to apprenticeships state-wide, and to reduce the current shortage of skilled practitioners in high-demand occupations. SB 413 is especially timely considering this shortage—many public and private sectors are struggling to hire and retain professionals with expertise in everything from health care and information technology, to manufacturing and business services. Counties support these efforts, and simply ask for representation on the Commission to ensure the findings are sensitive to the needs of local government.

From the MACo Testimony:

Maryland counties have historically supported alternative education and career paths but doing so has recently become an even greater priority for local governments in response to the shifting labor market and workforce demands. Counties, like other employers, continue to face a shortage of vocational trade staff to hire or contract for critical infrastructure and public works projects. This raises county costs and pushes back project completion on key projects like building new schools and repairing roads and bridges – and Marylanders suffer for it. SB 413 shares many of these same priorities and goals, and counties appreciate the additional guidance and assistance the Apprenticeship 2030 Commission would offer to the critical work locals are already doing. As such, counties would like to participate on the Commission and respectfully ask for an amendment to SB 413 to add local representatives – one from county government and one from local workforce development boards – to serve on the commission.