denver, colorado – The House of Representatives today passed two bipartisan bills to support workforce development and higher education.
HB24-1365Sponsored by Congresswoman Meghan Lukens, this event will help communities address workforce shortages and create connections for Coloradans seeking high-paying, skilled careers. SB24-164The scheme, sponsored by Chair Julie McCluskey, will increase transparency around higher education costs and reduce barriers to completing higher education degrees and certificate programs.
“For years, Opportunity Now grants have encouraged job growth and supported rural and mountain communities like northwest Colorado.” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “The demand for advanced technology construction will only increase as we build new roads, bridges, commercial facilities, and affordable housing. This bipartisan bill is the final round of funding for the grant program. This bill provides a critical focus on the construction and building industry to meet the needs of our communities. This bill will help Coloradans pursue good-paying jobs in the construction industry and fill a critical workforce shortage. will save you money.”
HB24-1365The bill, sponsored by Rep. Matt Soper, also a Delta Republican, passed the House on a 55-8 vote. This bill supports the fourth and final round of successful Opportunity Now Colorado grants. The goal of this bill is to connect more Coloradans to in-demand, high-wage jobs, especially in the construction, infrastructure, and building industries.
The bill also creates the Regional Talent Summit Grant Program to help Coloradans connect with in-demand careers in their region and leverages federal programs needed to train workers in new and emerging fields. Establishes a workforce shortage tax credit to support facility and equipment improvements.Investments outlined in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act, etc.rs. opportunityity Now is a grant program that: Earned $27 million The awards will be presented to 46 grantees representing 145 companies from 38 different industries and 78 education partners.
“This bill strengthens the Student Bill of Rights, which ensures that students transferring from any institution, whether a community college or a four-year university, receive credit for courses taken at other institutions. is.” said Democratic Rep. Julie McCluskey of Dillon. “We need to ensure our higher education system prioritizes student success, and this bill will improve transparency and recognition of academic credit.”
SB24-164The bill, sponsored by fellow Minority Leader Rose Pugliese (R-Colorado Springs) and passed by the House on a 59-4 vote, would make it easier to transfer college credits and increase transparency in higher education reporting. An institution where the quality of education is improved and the rights of students enrolled in higher education are guaranteed.
Transparency requirements include:
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Post-secondary education cost transparency
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Seamless transition of general education and transfer courses
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Transparency regarding whether credits from institutions are approved or rejected;
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Can appeal an institution's decision not to accept transfer credits
A major challenge facing transfer students is the transferability of post-secondary credits. On average, a transfer student loses one semester's worth of credits, leading to loss of time and money. Colorado's higher education framework has current methods to facilitate transfer between higher education institutions, including transferable lower-division courses, common course numbers, and guaranteed transfer pathways. SB24-164 builds on this framework by strengthening student rights and facilitating the transfer of course credits.