CT HB05423

Establishes a committee led by the Commissioner of Education, in collaboration with the Board of Regents for Higher Education, to coordinate education about manufacturing careers for middle and high school students, including representatives from economic development, labor, technical schools, community colleges, and manufacturing companies.

Requires the committee to compile and annually update a catalog of manufacturing training programs at public and independent institutions of higher education, including degree/credential types, completion requirements, enrollment processes, and costs, to be posted on the Department of Education website and distributed to school boards.

Directs the Commissioner of Education to develop a program introducing students, parents, and guidance counselors to manufacturing careers through hands-on learning, videos, social media, facility tours, and partnerships with private manufacturers.

Requires the Department of Education to create a best practices guide for schools to incorporate manufacturing relationships into middle and high school curricula.

Mandates the Labor Department update its apprenticeship website by March 1, 2017 to simplify access to apprenticeship information, provide accurate lists of occupations with apprentice numbers, and list apprenticeship coursework providers with locations, offerings, and costs, with annual updates thereafter.