S.R. 109 Summary

• Encourages the Department of Education to partner school complex areas with neighboring industries to create K-12 complex area career pathways aligned with workforce demands in science, technology, engineering, math, agriculture, and cybersecurity.

• Requests the Department of Education plan, design, and construct an applied technology center at a complex specializing in career pathways to simulate existing and future workplaces and enable students to pursue dual college credits, certificates, and licenses before graduation.

• Cites Hawaii's projected 27 percent shortage of skilled workers by 2020 despite a 3.2 percent unemployment rate, and notes Hawaii's goal to create 80,000 new technology and innovation jobs with salaries over $80,000 by 2030.

• References successful existing models including Leilehua High School's cybersecurity and agricultural technology partnerships with the National Security Agency Hawaii and local farmers, and Waipahu High School's planned partnerships with transportation and medical technology industries.

• Requires certified copies be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education and Superintendent of Education.