Share:
Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 7, 2021 09:58 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Vincent J. Hughes |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Health-Related Industries Education Scholarship Program |
| In the near future, I intend to reintroduce Senate Bill 219 from last session which amends the School Code to establish the Health-Related Industries Education Scholarship Program. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for additional, qualified individuals in health related occupations has risen to the forefront. Many health-related occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, are listed as High-Priority Occupations (HPO) within the Commonwealth. An HPO is not only an occupation that is in demand by employers but is also an occupation which is most likely to provide family sustaining wages. These occupations require a higher skill set and consequently a greater investment in educational preparation. My legislation creates the Health-Related Industries Educational Scholarship Program. Students who qualify for the program can receive financial assistance to complete their education for the purpose of pursuing an occupation in a health-related industry. The program incentivizes 2-year healthcare programs with a Pay-It-Forward plan and tax credits for businesses that will train/mentor student interns on the job. This legislation in modeled after the Targeted Industry Program (PA-TIP) currently administered and funded by Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). Adding 2-year health programs will provide students an opportunity to access the training needed to fill job openings in Pennsylvania's growing health care economy. Health care occupations are significant to the current and future workforce growth and economic viability of the Commonwealth. Previous co-sponsors of this bill include: Brewster, Browne, Costa, Fontana, Haywood and Schwank. Please join me in sponsoring this legislation. If you have any questions, please contact Michael Deery in my office at 717-787-7112 or at Michael.Deery@pasenate.com. |
Introduced as SB221