LARGO,
Md., May 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Employ
Prince George's is pleased to
announce the signing of two crucial pieces of legislation by
Governor Wes Moore on April 25, 2024. Employ Prince George's was joined for this momentous
occasion by leaders from WorkSource Montgomery, Harris Jones & Malone, and our House and
Senate bill sponsors, all of whom partnered and advocated for these
groundbreaking workforce development initiatives. These
bills, House Bill 372/Senate Bill 354 (Rent Court Workforce
Solutions Pilot Program) and House Bill 650/Senate Bill 511
(Report on Apprenticeship Mentoring Ratios), make
significant strides towards enhancing opportunities and support for
the job seekers and businesses in Prince
George's County and beyond.
House Bill 372/Senate Bill 354: Rent Court Workforce
Solutions Pilot Program
The Rent Court Workforce Solutions Pilot Program is a pioneering
initiative that will support residents who are navigating the
intersection of housing insecurity and employment stability.
Spearheaded by Senators Jeff Waldstreicher (Montgomery) and Michael Jackson (Prince George's) and Delegates Kevin M. Harris (Prince George's) and Vaughn Stewart (Montgomery), this legislation will provide
targeted workforce development resources and support to individuals
facing eviction proceedings.
In a time when housing affordability is a growing concern, this
innovative program provides the Prince
George's County and Montgomery County Workforce Development
Boards with funding to place full-time staff in the District Courts
of their respective counties on days when rent court is in session.
These workforce development professionals will engage with and
provide tenants facing eviction with access to financial resources,
free upskilling opportunities, employment, and apprenticeship
opportunities. Funding for this program will begin in FY2026
(July 1, 2025) and run concurrently
through FY2028 (June 30, 2028).
"We are thrilled to see Governor Moore's commitment to
addressing the critical issues of housing insecurity and workforce
development through the signing of House Bill 372 and Senate Bill
354," said Walter Simmons, President
& CEO of Employ Prince George's. "This legislation allows us to
address an underlying cause of evictions by reaching people who
need workforce development services the most, when they need it the
most," he added.
Senator Waldstreicher remarked, "The passage of Senate Bill 354
represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to
empower individuals and promote economic stability in our
communities. This legislation will connect tenants who are behind
on their rent to employment opportunities so they can stay in their
homes."
"The passage of this crucial workforce development/housing bill
marks a significant step in Prince
George's County's efforts to tackle root causes of eviction
and the day-to-day hardships of those residents living right above
the poverty line, while also rebuilding our labor force and
building a strong economy. It was an honor to sponsor this
legislation and bring these pivotal resources back to Prince George's County," said Delegate
Harris.
House Bill 650/Senate Bill 511: Report on Apprenticeship
Mentoring Ratios
The Report on Apprenticeship Mentoring Ratios was initially
introduced as an effort to increase Maryland's apprentice-to-journeyworker ratio
from 1:1 to 3:1 for all nontraditional (i.e., non-building
trades) apprenticeship occupations. This vital legislation,
championed by Senator Alonzo
Washington (Prince
George's) and Delegate Adrian Boafo (Prince George's), saw broad support from
businesses, nonprofits, Maryland's
local workforce development boards, economic development entities,
and chambers of commerce. Ultimately the bill emerged from
committee with a modified scope.
Under the amended bill, the Maryland Department of Labor must
submit a comprehensive apprenticeship report to the General
Assembly by October 1, 2024. The
report will analyze Maryland's
apprenticeship programs and policies, including increasing
apprenticeship mentoring ratios for nontraditional apprenticeships,
waivers for increased apprentice-to-journeyworker ratios,
industries and occupations best suited for higher apprenticeship
ratios, and strategic recommendations for expanding mentoring
ratios in newly registered nontraditional apprenticeships in
Maryland. The goal will be to
modernize apprenticeship operations in Maryland to ensure it is growing, inclusive,
and equitable for all businesses and job seekers.
"One of the primary barriers to apprenticeship participation,
particularly for small businesses, is the administrative burden
involved. Navigating regulations, paperwork, registering
apprentices with relevant bodies, and covering tuition costs all
pose significant challenges. A higher apprenticeship ratio for
industries like IT, food service, lodging, and healthcare would
certainly incentivize more small businesses to participate," said
Walter Simmons. "That's what this
bill was about – meeting the lofty apprenticeship goals set by the
General Assembly and the Apprenticeship 2030 Commission. As it
stands, our State will struggle to reach those goals without
expanding the apprenticeship ecosystem to include ALL Maryland
businesses and job seekers. That's why Employ Prince George's
eagerly anticipates reviewing the report's findings and will
continue to advocate for a higher nontraditional apprenticeship
ratio next session."
"House Bill 650 is an important first step towards ensuring
equitable opportunities in our workforce," said Delegate Boafo. "I
look forward to the Maryland Department of Labor's report on
apprenticeship ratios and their recommendations for how to increase
participation in apprenticeships. By making apprenticeships more
accessible, we're not just building careers, we're constructing
pathways to prosperity for all Marylanders."
Along with the two landmark workforce development bills, Employ
Prince George's secured a total of $850,000 in funding for multiple workforce
development efforts. Three capital projects received funding,
including a Heavy Equipment Operator Training Program
in Brandywine, MD and the renovations of Prince George's County's first reentry job
center, the Bridge Center at Adam's House, as well as the Prince
George's County Youth Career Center.
"It was a pleasure working with our regional partner, Employ
Prince George's, to advocate for these resources and policy
changes. Both of these bills will surely bolster our local
workforce development efforts to serve our most vulnerable
residents and expand apprenticeship opportunities," said
Anthony Featherstone, Executive
Director of WorkSource Montgomery "We are honored to have been able
involved in the legislative process and are appreciative to the
General Assembly and Governor for supporting these important pieces
of legislation."
Employ Prince George's extends
its sincerest gratitude to Governor Moore, the Maryland General
Assembly, WorkSource Montgomery, and all stakeholders involved in
championing these pivotal pieces of legislation. As a leading
advocate for workforce development in the region, Employ Prince
George's remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing policies
and initiatives that empower individuals, strengthen communities,
and propel economic growth.
For further information about Employ Prince George's and its
workforce development programs, please visit www.employpg.org.
Employ Prince
George's (EPG) provides workforce intelligence and solutions
for the job seeker and business. EPG's mission is to contribute to
the economic vitality of Prince George's
County by providing a demand-driven system that delivers
qualified workers to business and provides job seekers with
opportunities for careers in high-demand/high-growth
industries.
For more information, please visit
employPG.org.
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SOURCE Employ Prince George's