Pennsylvania Senate Labor and Industry Committee advances bill to support collection of forward-facing employment data

The Pennsylvania Senate Labor and Industry Committee recently advanced Senate Bill 91, which would require the Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) to collect and publish forward-facing employment data.

The data would help L&I, educational institutions and others prepare Pennsylvania’s workforce for jobs of the future.

“Senate Bill 91 is an absolute necessity if we want to ensure Pennsylvania is doing the most it can to develop the workforce,” Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) said. “By collecting and studying data on employment trends, we can to understand the jobs of the future and provide environments where workers are being taught the requisite skills. This is the right step for Pennsylvania.”

The legislation would direct L&I to collect and disseminate data on emerging and future employment sectors Pennsylvania.

L&I would send information on forward-facing employment data to all state educational institutions. The educational institutions would then be required to provide information to those responsible for vocational and educational guidance.

“For future generations to prosper and for Pennsylvania to stay competitive, we have to ensure young workers are prepared for the jobs that will be in demand in coming years,” Sen. Bob Mensch (R-Berks/Bucks/Montgomery) said. “Senate Bill 91 will help provide skilled workers to job creators and jobs to young workers, fueling a vibrant economy that keeps pace with the times.”