HB 15-1276 Summary

• Creates the Skilled Worker Outreach, Recruitment, and Key Training (WORK) Grant Program within the Department of Labor and Employment to award matching grants to eligible applicants for skilled worker training initiatives.

• Establishes a 13-member grant review committee appointed by the Governor, including representatives from business, labor, apprenticeship programs, higher education institutions, and government agencies, to evaluate grant applications and make award recommendations.

• Provides $10 million total appropriation across fiscal years 2015-16 through 2017-18, with no more than $3.5 million expendable per fiscal year; grants cannot be used for tuition subsidies.

• Requires grant recipients to submit reports on measurable outcomes including participant enrollment, completion rates, employment placement, and recruitment efforts; mandates annual reports to the Governor and legislature through May 1, 2019.

• Limits eligible applicants to government and nongovernment entities offering accredited skilled worker training programs (excluding bachelor's degree programs) that have partnered with industry to identify workforce needs.