HI SR91

Urges the Department of Human Resources Development to establish a pilot fellowship program in conjunction with other state departments and branches to train prospective employees for state government jobs.

Approximately 3,500 vacant positions existed across state departments as of February 2019, with some departments operating at less than 75% of allocated staffing levels.

Fellows should receive a monetary stipend, health benefits, and graduate credits from the University of Hawaii, with programs lasting no longer than 12 months.

Fellows are to be placed in their preferred department or office, trained in applicable government job skills, and assigned significant tasks with potential for full-time employment upon completion.

The pilot program is requested to be dissolved on June 30, 2021, with the Department of Human Resources Development required to submit a report to the Legislature by twenty days prior to the 2021 Regular Session including participant numbers, hosting agencies, and full-time employment outcomes.