Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2980, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to ensure that the future construction workforce is sufficient to meet industry demand.

More specifically, the measure appropriates funds to expand the existing construction academy program from eight to twenty-six public high schools and to expand the apprenticeship training programs at Honolulu community college, Hawaii community college, Maui community college, and Kauai community college.

Your Committee finds that, due to the current and projected construction boom in the State of Hawaii, there is a critical shortage of qualified workers in the trades. Some believe the labor shortage will be exacerbated by the need for skilled workers on the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast and in other regions with housing booms. It is estimated that, nationwide, the construction industry will need to add one hundred thousand jobs each year through 2012, while also filling an additional ninety thousand openings created by retirements.

In the fall of 2005, Honolulu Community College and the Department of Education launched the Construction Academy in partnership with eight Hawaii public high schools. The program allows high school students to take classes in various construction trades at their respective high schools while earning credits towards an associate degree at an affiliated community college at the same time. The first graduating class in 2005 generated such excitement and promise on the high school campuses that the Construction Academy organizers hope to expand the program to include other public high schools and community colleges, particularly on the neighbor islands.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2980, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2980, S.D. 2.