03/30/2023
March 2, 2023 Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee House Bill 6354
Public Hearing Testimony of
Danté Bartolomeo
Commissioner
Department of Labor
Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
March 2, 2023
Good morning, Representative Haddad, Senator Slap, Representative Haines, Senator Kelly and members of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with written testimony regarding House Bill 6354: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A GREEN JOBS CORPS PROGRAM. My name is Danté Bartolomeo, and I am the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Labor.
The Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) appreciates that the intent of HB 6354 is to establish a green jobs corps program to outline a talent development strategy, help communities respond to climate change and reduce carbon emissions. Currently, CTDOL’s Office of Apprenticeship Training operates a workforce development system that includes all the requirements of this proposed bill – including Registered Apprenticeships. These programs increase workforce recruitment and proficiency, help employers transfer occupational skills to a new generation of workers, and ensure succession planning. Depending upon the trade, apprenticeship programs may last 1-4 years. When participants complete their program, the Connecticut Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship Training provides an industry recognized, portable credential that:
- Certifies completion of the program
- Distinguishes the apprentice as a master of their craft
- Makes the apprentice eligible to take any occupational licensing exams
CTDOL would gladly participate in any conversations with the Office of Workforce Strategy, along with any other sister agency or interested parties. In partnership with pertinent industry sector employers and associations, CTDOL is poised to utilize sector best practices to incorporate new green technologies into existing Registered Apprenticeships for the occupations including, but not limited to, Electrician, Plumber, and HVAC Technician. We would, however, respectfully request that the committee remove the reference to “apprenticeship(s)”, to prevent confusion between what would be state-sponsored trainee programs, and CTDOL’s federally recognized Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs).
Thank you again for the opportunity to testify, and we look forward to continuing to work with you on ways to help veterans in the workforce.
Connecticut Department of Labor • www.ct.gov/dol
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer