HJ 529

Abstract

Study; Department of Labor and Industry; apprenticeship programs; report. Requests the Department of Labor and Industryto study the need for apprenticeship training programs in Virginia,including (i) the future workforce needs of the construction industry;(ii) the economic impacts of a lack of highly skilled, well-trainedcraft personnel; (iii) construction industry workforce needs in theCommonwealth in response to potential large-scale investments in infrastructure by the federal government; (iv) what role apprenticeshipprograms will play in the development and acceleration of new industries,such as renewable energy; (v) whether the expansion of apprenticeshipswould contribute to greater diversity in construction workforce participationfrom women and people of color; and (vi) how expanding apprenticeshiptraining programs would affect job security and workplace safety in the Commonwealth. In addition, the Department is requested toundertake an in-depth study of best practices used by state governmentsand convene a stakeholder advisory group to discuss expansion ofcritically needed apprenticeship training programs in the Commonwealth'sconstruction industry.