HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1205
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to workforce development.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Hawaii offers a unique opportunity for job growth and economic development through its important geographic location. In fiscal year 2022, the State received almost $9,000,000,000 in defense spending. Furthermore, the number of defense-related jobs increased by about ten thousand jobs from fiscal year 2018 to fiscal year 2022. Many of these jobs are in the areas of information technology, cybersecurity, intelligence, data science, and advanced manufacturing fields.

The purpose of this Act is to build a local workforce to meet this growing demand.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for economic diversification to develop and increase the defense-related workforce in the State.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the workforce development council for the purposes of this Act; provided that the workforce development council incorporates and implements:

(1) Training programs to:

(A) Collaborate with local educational institutions and industry partners to develop specialized training programs, and implement them on fields with high demand such as information technology, cybersecurity, intelligence, data science, and advanced manufacturing; and

(B) Career development opportunities for current workforce members to transition into defense-related roles;

(2) Establish partnerships with private entities and defense contractors to:

(A) Create internship and apprenticeship programs, to offer hands-on experience and career opportunities in defense-related industries; and

(B) Facilitate employer-driven training initiatives to ensure alignment with industry needs and standards;

(3) Grants and scholarships to:

(A) Allocate grants to community colleges, universities, and training centers for career development or career enhancement curriculums to align with defense-related workforce requirements; and

(B) Offer scholarships or tuition assistance for students pursuing degrees or certifications in targeted fields;

(4) Outreach and recruitment to:

(A) Conduct outreach campaigns to raise awareness about opportunities in defense-related fields, with a focus on engaging underrepresented populations, including Native Hawaiians, women, and rural communities; and

(B) Host job fairs, workshops, and informational sessions to connect job seekers with training and employment opportunities; and

(5) Program evaluation and monitoring to:

(A) Evaluate the effectiveness of funded initiatives, by using results from metrics such as job placements, participant satisfaction, and employer feedback; and

(B) Use evaluation data to continuously improve program offerings and ensure alignment with workforce demands.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Workforce Development Council; Economic Diversification; Defense Budget; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for the workforce development council to incorporate and implement a framework for the workforce diversification and expansion of the defense-related workforce in fields such as information technology, cybersecurity, intelligence, data science, and advanced manufacturing.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.