SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 60

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Sue Wilson Beffort

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON ESTABLISHING A WORKPLACE READINESS CERTIFICATION FOR NEW MEXICO STUDENTS PREPARING TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE.

     WHEREAS, employers report continually that they are unable to hire employees because applicants lack basic employability skills; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico needs to measure the job preparedness of its prospective workforce in order to measure the effectiveness of the state's educational system in preparing students for employment and to provide guidance on setting educational system standards; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico needs to be able to demonstrate the quality of its workforce to attract prospective employers; and

     WHEREAS, assessments are available to provide students with a credential that can assist them with qualifying for jobs matching their skill levels; and

     WHEREAS, these assessments also provide feedback to students about their actual skill levels so they can receive remedial or further education to help them move into the jobs they want; and

     WHEREAS, Kentucky and Louisiana have successfully implemented a workplace readiness certification program that matches a prospective employee's skills with the skills required by an employer; and

     WHEREAS, such a certification program could potentially improve the competitiveness and attractiveness of the New Mexico workforce;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state workforce development board appoint a task force comprised of representatives of the state's workforce support agencies and programs, the regional workforce development board, public school and higher education workforce training providers and the state's business community; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force work through the governor's office of workforce training and development to study the feasibility of establishing a certification program in the public schools, one-stop centers and community colleges by reviewing similar programs in other states, available assessment instruments, implementation alternatives, a potential timeline and funding requirements; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state workforce development board submit the task force study to key employer groups, training providers and workforce agencies to solicit input and recommendations for a report to be submitted to the appropriate interim legislative committee by November 1, 2005; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the director of the state workforce development board and the director of the governor's office of workforce training and development.

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