The bill, identified as Substitute Senate Bill No. 1089 with File No. 294, mandates the Office of Workforce Strategy (OWS) to create a workforce training and experiential learning program, effective October 1, 2023. The program is designed to provide access to training for careers in mechatronics, cybersecurity, three-dimensional printing, the Internet of things, and chartered global management accounting. The OWS is tasked with consulting businesses to assess their hiring needs, developing an application process for prospective enrollees, partnering with regional workforce development boards and higher education institutions, creating career pathways for vertical career advancement, and collaborating with training providers to track and report participant outcomes. Additionally, enrollees who complete the program may opt to have their information shared with businesses as potential employees.

The bill also requires the OWS to submit an annual report starting July 1, 2024, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly on commerce, education, higher education, employment advancement, labor, and public employees. This report may include data on program completion rates, job placement rates, starting wages, and wage growth of individuals employed after participating in the program. The fiscal impact statement indicates that the bill will result in costs to the state, with the OWS incurring costs for a full-time position and additional administrative expenses. The bill received a Joint Favorable Substitute recommendation from the Commerce Committee with a vote of 19 to 5.