S.R. No. 193 Summary

• Department of Education is requested to develop and implement a K-12 Curriculum-to-Career Pipeline Initiative in collaboration with the University of Hawaii, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

• The initiative aims to enable students to pursue training and education throughout their school years so that upon graduation they possess appropriate skills, certifications, licensing, or college credits necessary to enter Hawaii's workforce.

• Resolution identifies a skills gap between employer needs and workforce capabilities, particularly in technology-based positions, computer science, coding, engineering, and second language skills.

• STEM job openings are expected to grow 1.7 times faster than other jobs, and Honolulu ranked 82nd out of 100 metropolitan areas for STEM professionals according to a 2018 analysis.

• Certified copies of the resolution shall be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education, President of the University of Hawaii System, Director of Labor and Industrial Relations, and Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.