Bill > H722

This bill establishes a Workforce Skills Cabinet within the Governor's office to improve and expand workforce skills and college and career readiness across Massachusetts. The cabinet will consist of key state officials, business representatives, and workforce stakeholders who will meet monthly to facilitate collaboration between education and workforce development agencies. The cabinet's primary responsibilities include developing workforce strategies, conducting biennial studies on college and career pathway programs, releasing annual reports on labor market needs, improving data collection, and advising educational departments on employability skills. The bill also introduces several significant education initiatives, such as providing financial incentives to school districts for students earning industry-recognized certifications, promoting career technical education demonstration programs, requiring high schools to offer computer science courses, and mandating that all high school students develop individual learning plans starting in ninth grade. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to study barriers to work-based learning opportunities, require districts to implement the MassCore curriculum, and develop credentials for students in applied knowledge and workplace skills. The overall goal is to create more structured, comprehensive pathways for students to successfully transition from high school to higher education or careers.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H722