MONTGOMERY — Alabama officials announced a new package of bills on workforce development on Thursday.
The package of bills filed on Thursday includes changes to the Department of Labor, workforce diplomas, new housing tax credits, allowing cities and counties to partner to provide companies local incentives, and childcare tax credits. The bills are expected to begin moving through the legislature at the beginning of April after legislators return from another spring break.
"Our state has seen tremendous advances as a result of collaborative, team-driven efforts. Just a few years ago, we were ranked 47th in the nation in broadband access – now, after signing the Connect Alabama Act, we rank 24th. The Game Plan, which was passed last year, gave us the best tools in our region to recruit industry and jobs, and the results are already paying dividends," Gov. Kay Ivey said.
"In 2015 major reforms were made within the state's workforce development sector, and as governor, I am calling on our Legislature to once again make the needed reforms so that our workforce development programs work better for its two customers – our jobseekers and our employers," she continued. "'Working for Alabama' is the next big step, and I look forward to seeing the benefits it will have on Alabama for years and decades to come."
One of the primary goals of "Working for Alabama" is to solve one of Alabama's biggest economic challenges, its labor force participation rate, which is one of the lowest in the country. Almost half of the state's working-age individuals are neither employed nor seeking jobs.
Solving this problem was a priority of the Lieutenant Governor's Commission on 21st Century Workforce, whose findings played a key role in developing the Working for Alabama package.
"You can ask almost any employer in the state, and they'll tell you that one of the biggest challenges they face is hiring skilled and trained employees," Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth said. "By eliminating barriers to entry into the workforce, and by making our state's workforce development efforts more intentional, targeted and efficient, we can create an environment where more Alabamians are working, providing for their families, building careers and contributing to our economy. These transformational changes will make Alabama the workforce engine of the Southeast."
House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville) said the package will give communities the tools they need to attract new employers and support expanding existing businesses.
"A big part of this package will include deliberate and targeted funding for key resources that local communities need to compete for business investment and job recruitment," Daniels said. "By investing in our industrial sites, funding workforce training and building out key infrastructure, we can give communities the tools they need to be successful."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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