STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1629

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 153

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.R. No. 153 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONDUCT A STUDY TO ASSESS THE ADEQUACY OF THE DEPARTMENT'S VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR A CAREER IN A VOCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Education to conduct a study to assess the adequacy of the Department's vocational education programs to prepare students for a career in a vocation.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Teachers Association.

Your Committee finds that many students would benefit from the Department of Education offering courses and training in vocational career fields, as a four-year college degree may not be suitable for all students. According to the United States Department of Labor, there were 6,600,000 job openings in early 2018 in vocational career fields. By training students with particular skills to enter various vocational career fields, the State can ensure that the demand for skilled workers in specific industries will not exceed the number of available workers.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 153 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

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MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair