BILL NUMBER: S8556
SPONSOR: GRIFFO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing the
advanced nuclear energy workforce development commission and the
advanced nuclear energy workforce development program
 
PURPOSE:
This bill allows for the creation of the Advanced Nuclear Energy Work-
force Development Commission to increase workforce development in
colleges and universities to help increase the number of students ready
to work in advance nuclear engineering.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Amends the education law by adding article 168-A which creates the
Advanced Nuclear Energy Workforce Development Commission to address the
need for urgent and skilled labor in the advanced nuclear energy indus-
try, particularly through workforce development programs in colleges and
universities. The Commission will consist of a commissioner, the Chan-
cellor of SUNY, the Chancellor of CUNY and three industry experts
appointed by the Governor. They will have the authority to create a
strategic plan to address the labor supply gap and provide grants and
financial assistance for the development of programming and outreach
efforts designed to create awareness of nuclear science and career
opportunities and the creation of academic pathways in the field.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Nuclear energy is part of a clean energy agenda. If we want to continue
to move that agenda forward, we must have the workforce prepared to
manage those capabilities. This bill allows colleges and universities to
receive a boost in workforce development programs in finding students
who can work in this growing field as nuclear engineering grows in clean
energy.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.