Bill could help colleges tailor courses to job market

DENVER – A measure aimed at helping colleges prepare courses that align with the job market heads to the state House following approval in the House Education Committee.
 
Approved unanimously in committee Wednesday, the bill would require the state Department of Higher Education and state Department of Labor to report on projections of Colorado’s workforce needs. The agencies would use data already collected by federal and state governments to create an annual report that will forecast workforce needs during the following three years.
 
The report would show which workforce needs schools have not met. Using the information, schools will know what jobs are in demand and companies will know more about educational programs, according to Colorado House Democrats. The bill could help students make informed decisions about jobs and colleges adjust to changes in the job market.
 
Proposed by Rep. Daniel Kagan, D-Englewood, the bill has support from the National Federation of Independent Business, a small business association, and Green Industries of Colorado, an alliance of horticulture and landscape industry trade associations.