Bill > SB1503

This bill aims to develop Hawaii's workforce for defense-related industries by requiring the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to create comprehensive workforce development strategies. Specifically, the department must develop specialized training programs in high-demand fields like information technology, cybersecurity, intelligence, data science, and advanced manufacturing, in collaboration with educational institutions and industry partners. The bill mandates establishing public-private partnerships to create internship and apprenticeship programs, implementing funding opportunities such as grants and scholarships, and developing targeted recruitment strategies that focus on engaging underrepresented populations. The department is also required to create robust program evaluation mechanisms to track job placements, participant satisfaction, and employer feedback, with the ultimate goal of promoting economic diversification and addressing the growing defense-related job market in Hawaii. The legislation requires the department to submit biennial progress reports to the legislature, beginning in 2027, and includes appropriations to support these workforce development initiatives. The bill recognizes Hawaii's strategic geographic location and the significant federal defense spending in the state, which increased to almost $9 million in fiscal year 2022, with defense-related jobs growing by approximately 10,000 between 2018 and 2022.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1503&year=2026