2014 -- S 2863

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LC005219

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF RHODE ISLAND, IN

COOPERATION WITH THE GOVERNOR'S WORKFORCE BOARD, EXPAND ITS

OFFERING OF INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED CREDENTIALS

     Introduced By: Senators Crowley, Pichardo, Cool Rumsey, Sheehan, and Cote

     Date Introduced: April 09, 2014

     Referred To: Senate Education

     WHEREAS, Profound economic and technological changes are transforming the

structure and nature of work, placing new and additional responsibilities on Rhode Island’s

workforce training and educational systems; and

     WHEREAS, The Senate's "Rhode to Work" report found there is a projected "middle

skills" gap in Rhode Island along with a potential labor shortage in middle skill fields; and

     WHEREAS, Such middle skilled occupations typically require some education and

training beyond high school, but less than a bachelor's degree; and

     WHEREAS, In response to the growing and evolving workforce needs of the state, the

Community College of Rhode Island has expanded its workforce development programs,

including the introduction of industry-recognized credentials; and

     WHEREAS, Industry-recognized and endorsed credential and certification programs

compose a model in workforce training that holds great potential for addressing the middle skills

gap and concerns about career readiness; and

     WHEREAS, Such industry-recognized credentialing programs provide the training

necessary to acquire job-specific skills and abilities that employers are looking for, in

comparatively less time than a two or four year college degree; and 

     WHEREAS, Credentials are often "stackable", allowing individuals to earn shorter-term

credentials that have real value in the labor market; and then build on them to access more

advanced training and employment opportunities; and

     WHEREAS, To be most effective, these credentials must be trusted and endorsed by

employers, and accessible by students; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby respectfully requests that the Community College of Rhode Island, in cooperation with the

Governor’s Workforce Board, review and expand its offering of industry-recognized credentials

by determining those credentials that would best meet the needs of the Rhode Island job market;

and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby respectfully requests the College to report back to

the General Assembly by January 6, 2015, on the findings of this review, the extent to which the

demand can be met using current resources, and the need, if any, for additional resources to meet

this demand; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the President of the Community College of

Rhode Island and the Chair of the Governor's Workforce Board.

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LC005219

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