The state Assembly approved several bills Tuesday aimed at bolstering workforce development and improving students’ skill sets for the future.
State Sen. Rick Gudex, R-Fond du Lac, authored the two bills aimed specifically at students.
Both bills aim to provide incentives for students to perform better academically and succeed in the workforce, while also pursuing industry recognized credentials and technical school degrees.
The first bill focuses on encouraging students to pursue industry recognized credentials while still in high school, making students more attractive to potential employers. Additionally, the bill proposes a $1000 payment to school districts for each student who attains the credentials successfully.
The second bill mirrors the current Academic Excellence Higher Education Scholarship by awarding scholarships to students who are at the top of their class. However, this particular bill would give school boards the authority to decide the criteria for the scholarship, which would be equally divided between state and technical schools.
The even divide resulted from only 16 of 726 first-year scholars using their award to attend a state technical school in the 2012-13 academic year. The first scholarships will be awarded in 2016, giving school boards enough time to select the criteria for the scholarship.
Gudex said in a statement Tuesday he is excited about the bills.
“With manufacturing being such a vital industry in our state, we need to make sure that locating these in-demand jobs is as convenient as possible for our citizens and they have the skill sets that are required to fill these positions,” Gudex said in the statement.
The other approved bills dealt with issues such as youth apprenticeship, tuition reimbursement, a transitional jobs program and vocational rehabilitation services.
These bills now head to Gov. Scott Walker’s desk for a signature.
