(Doc Name h:\legwork\house\amend\h-wm\004\direct training 2.docx):
EXPLANATION: Establish a program to provide subsidized direct training for eligible individuals at eligible training institutions for the purpose of improving employment outcomes for eligible individuals and Require DEW to report on accountability measures used to evaluate the success of training programs by August 1, 2015
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 83,
DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND WORKFORCE, page 483, after line 36,
by adding an appropriately numbered paragraph to read:
/(DEW: Direct Training) From the funds appropriated to
the Department of Employment and Workforce (department) for
direct training, the department shall, by August 1, 2015,
establish a program to provide subsidized direct training for
eligible individuals at eligible training institutions for the
purpose of improving employment outcomes for eligible
individuals pursuant to the requirements of this section.
(A) Eligibility for individuals shall
be determined by the department but shall include, at a minimum,
negative screening for drugs of abuse, successful completion of
Silver WorkKeys certification, participation in employment
preparation activities as directed by the department, and
maintaining adequate attendance and vocational progress in
prescribed training programs subsidized by the program.
(B) Eligibility for institutions to
provide training services shall be determined by the department
but shall include, at a minimum licensure as an eligible
institution of higher education or postsecondary job skills
training, a demonstrable record of positive employment outcomes
as evaluated by the department, and a suitable return on
investment of training dollars, and assessed by the department
and steering committee.
(C) Eligible training programs
selected shall be those most likely to produce long-term
employment for the greatest number of eligible individuals, and
display potential for long-term wage growth.
(1) The
department shall select training programs at eligible
institutions based on information received from unfilled jobs
reports, surveys of businesses detailing employment needs, and
feedback from local business associations and economic
development professionals.
(2) In order to
make appropriate determinations of employee demand and program
eligibility, the department shall divide the state into four
distinct regions and produce a separate analysis detailed in
item (C)(1) for each region. The department may choose to
provide direct training funds for different sets of eligible
programs in each of the four regions, based on regional need.
Nothing in this section precludes eligible individuals from
seeking training in a region in which they do not reside.
(3) The
department may negotiate the cost of eligible training programs
with eligible training providers and enter into memorandums of
agreement with training providers, including public institutions
of higher education to ratify negotiated fee schedules.
(4) The
department may approve training programs established to address
the training needs of a single employer or industry that does
not result in a training certificate or nationally recognized
trade certification. Funds used for this purpose shall not
supplant those appropriated for ReadySC and, to the extent
practicable, employers who appear to be eligible for
participation in ReadySC must be referred by the department to
the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education for
inclusion in that program.
(D) Funding for eligible individuals
pursuant to item (A) participating in eligible training programs
pursuant to items (B) and (C) shall be made on a reimbursable
basis. Individuals electing to participate in a subsidized
training program pursuant to this section must agree to repay
the department on a schedule approved by the department. The
department shall provide explanation of this requirement on
applications and promissory notes produced by the department for
the administration of this program. The department shall
partner with the South Carolina Department of Revenue to
administer recovery of training funds through the state's income
tax program.
(E) The department shall, by August
1, 2015, report to the Governor, Chairman of Senate Finance, and
Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, on
accountability measures used to evaluate the success of training
programs in terms of cost, completion, employment outcomes, wage
growth, and other indicators deemed necessary by the department
to measure program effectiveness.
(F) The department may retain and
expend not more than seven percent of total funds appropriated
for the program to be used for program development, marketing
and recruiting efforts, and administration of the program.
(G) Unexpended funds appropriated for
this program and those recovered pursuant to item (D) of this
section shall be carried forward and used for the same
purpose./
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and titles to conform.