THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	123
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT to examine the feasibility of implementing a PILOT FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM TO TRAIN PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES FOR GOVERNMENT JOBS.

WHEREAS, an informational briefing on February 27, 2019, by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means revealed that there were approximately three thousand five hundred vacant positions across various state departments, with some departments employing less than seventy-five percent of their allocated positions; and

WHEREAS, many departments claim that their high vacancy rates are partially due to a lack of qualified candidates who possess the necessary expertise for the vacant job positions; and

WHEREAS, the State does not have a formal process to provide prospective employees with the necessary experiences and expertise for state government jobs; and

WHEREAS, proper job training that specifically teaches the necessary skill sets for a state job can help to reduce state job vacancies and increase retention rates; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Human Resources Development is urged to examine the feasibility of implementing a pilot fellowship program to train prospective employees, also referred to as fellows, for success in state government jobs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in determining the scope of a feasible pilot fellowship program, the Department of Human Resources Development is requested to consider:

(1) The length of the program;

(2) Whether the program should provide each fellow with a monetary stipend, health benefits, and course credits from the University of Hawaii; and

(3) The extent to which each fellow may be placed in a department or office of their preference, be trained in skills and knowledge applicable to government jobs, and be assigned significant tasks as part of their duties; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ultimate goal of the pilot fellowship program should be to offer fellows a unique, first-hand experience in government, with the potential to be hired full-time upon completion of their fellowship; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Human Resources Development is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2024; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report is also requested to include:

(1) The feasibility of implementing a pilot fellowship program;

(2) The scope of a feasible pilot fellowship program; and

(3) The amount of funds needed to support the implementation of a pilot fellowship program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Human Resources Development.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Fellowship; Pilot Program; State Job; Training; Department of Human Resources Development; Report