File No. 166

House of Representatives, April 5, 2005

The Committee on Higher Education and Employment Advancement reported through REP. WILLIS of the 64th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the House, that the bill ought to pass.

AN ACT CONCERNING A RETAIL SKILL CENTER PILOT PROGRAM IN MILFORD.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. (Effective from passage) On or before January 1, 2006, the Labor Commissioner shall, in cooperation with shopping mall operators, retail employers, appropriate federal, state and local governmental entities, schools and colleges, retail trade associations and other community organizations, establish a retail skill center pilot program at a retail shopping center in Milford to recruit, train and motivate individuals for jobs and careers in the retail industry and to place individuals completing such program into long-term retail and related jobs. On or before January 1, 2007, the Labor Commissioner shall report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, on the results of the pilot program to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to labor.

The following fiscal impact statement and bill analysis are prepared for the benefit of members of the General Assembly, solely for the purpose of information, summarization, and explanation, and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either House thereof for any purpose:

OFA Fiscal Note

State Impact:

Note: GF=General Fund

Municipal Impact: None

Explanation

The bill requires the Labor Commissioner to establish a retail skill center pilot program to recruit, train, and motivate people for jobs in the retail industry. Retail skill centers are public-private partnerships that train service and sales employees. It is estimated that the initial start-up costs to the state is expected to be about $500,000 based on similar pilot projects in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The funds would be used to purchase equipment, workstations, and training materials and also to hire an administrative staff. It is expected that the retailers will provide the training site rent-free. The program’s annual costs drops to $275,000 in the second year for staff and training materials. To the extent that corporate sponsors contribute, the financial burden to the state would be relieved.



OLR Bill Analysis

HB 5397

AN ACT CONCERNING A RETAIL SKILL CENTER PILOT PROGRAM IN MILFORD

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the labor commissioner to establish, by January 1, 2006, a retail skill center pilot program at a Milford shopping center in cooperation with shopping mall operators, retail employers, appropriate government entities, schools, colleges, retail trade associations, and community organizations to (1) recruit, train, and motivate people for jobs and careers in retail and (2) upon their completion of the program, place them in long-term retail jobs. The commissioner must file a report on the pilot program’s results with the Labor Committee and the House and Senate clerks by January 1, 2007.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage

COMMITTEE ACTION

Labor and Public Employees Committee

Joint Favorable Change of Reference

Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee

Joint Favorable Report