§ 23-60-1001 — Legislative declaration

(1) The general assembly hereby finds
and declares that:

(a) Manufacturing plays a vital role in Colorado's economy;

(b) The manufacturing sector in Colorado is diverse, with employers
distributed across the state;

(c) Over five thousand nine hundred manufacturing firms employ more than
one hundred twenty thousand employees and contribute over sixteen billion dollars
annually to Colorado's economy; and

(d) Both durable and consumable goods are manufactured in Colorado,
including products such as medical instruments, semiconductors and other
information technology products, plastics, aviation equipment components,
chemicals, and food products requiring specialized processes.

(2) The general assembly further finds that:

(a) The promise and challenge of sustaining growth in Colorado's
manufacturing sector presents special difficulties due to the scope and diversity of
the industry;

(b) Manufacturing sector employers have increased reliance on automated
and computer-integrated control processes and lean manufacturing principles;

(c) Workers in this employment environment need foundational knowledge,
specialized skills, portable production skills, as well as flexibility and adaptability in
work habits;

(d) This has resulted in a shortfall in the quantity and quality of the pool of
workers who can succeed in the manufacturing sector; and

(e) Because manufacturing in Colorado is a dynamic and evolving economic
engine for the state, the challenges in preparing a pipeline of skilled employees to
work in the manufacturing sector must be addressed, and current and future
Colorado workers must be aware of the opportunities in the industry and the career
pathway to achieve employment in the manufacturing sector.

(3) Therefore, the general assembly finds and declares that developing a
manufacturing career pathway for Colorado citizens will:

(a) Increase the number of Colorado citizens accessing postsecondary
education;

(b) Increase the number of Colorado citizens completing degrees and other
credentials;

(c) Decrease the need for remediation at the postsecondary level;

(d) Increase entry into employment and increase wages over time; and

(e) Create better transitions in educational programs for students in the
manufacturing career pathway from high school to college, from adult education to
postsecondary credit, and from community colleges to four-year institutions of
higher education or into employment.

Legislative History

Source: L. 2013: Entire part added, (HB 13-1165), ch. 305, p. 1617, � 1, effective August 7.