Rep. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick, joins Mike McClanahan on TVW’s The Impact to discuss a bill he sponsored this session aimed at creating jobs and increasing education and training opportunities in the retail industry.

House Bill 2019, which has been signed into law, will require the state’s Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board to work with statewide retail employer organizations to identify existing gaps and engage with stakeholders to make recommendations on:

• Strategies to develop additional courses, pathways, and apprenticeships to make retail certifications and credentials available for job seekers and current retail employees;
• Strategies to build a network for students and job seekers who complete retail certification courses to connect with potential employers;
• Options for engaging and partnering with retail employers to provide courses to incumbent frontline workers for the purpose of upskilling and promotions, including in-demand, higher paid, non-industry specific positions within the retail industry; and
• Options for increasing training and job opportunities in the retail industry for underserved communities and previously incarcerated individuals.

The bill received backing from business and labor groups alike, as well as overwhelming bipartisan support in the House (approved 94-2) and Senate (approved 49-0). Boehnke, the ranking Republican on the House Community and Economic Development Committee, says his bill will strengthen the retail industry, which accounts for 42 percent of the state’s revenue and is responsible for nearly 400,000 jobs.