The state Senate recently passed legislation that would improve workforce development programs.
Senate Bill 761 would amend the Workforce Development Act of 2001 to require the Department of Labor and Industry and the Center for Workforce Information and Analysis to share with local workforce development boards work force data on wages, new hires and unemployment claimants.
The data currently exists but is not shared with local development boards quickly, which means the boards cannot efficiently analyze programs and policies.
In addition, the bill would require technical assistance and support for the improved data sharing model.
“Without usable data, it’s impossible to know how successful our workforce development boards are,” state Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-Greene/Washington), who sponsored the bill, said. “By sharing data we already have, the services can be modified so Pennsylvania is as attractive as possible to employers in all sorts of industries while using the tax dollars to fund the programs effectively and responsibly.”
The bill has the support of the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association.
“We’re thankful that legislation to free the data has taken an important step forward by passing the Senate,” Carrie Amann, Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association executive director, said.
The bill moves to the state House of Representatives for consideration.