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1997 SESSION

972646106
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 659
Offered January 20, 1997
Requesting the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to study the demand for computer scientists, engineers, and other technologically skilled workers in Virginia industry.
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Patrons-- Albo, Behm, Cantor, Darner, Dillard, Hull, Keating, Marshall, May, McClure, Mims, Moran, Nixon, O'Brien, Plum, Puller, Rollison, Rust, Scott and Watts
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Referred to Committee on Education
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WHEREAS, the growth of technology-based businesses has been a driving force in the growth of the Commonwealth's economy over the past decade, as particularly illustrated in Northern Virginia, where the Northern Virginia Technology Council estimates that there are now more than 1,600 high technology companies employing some 170,000 workers who earn an average of more than $40,000 annually, collectively contributing more than $7 billion in wages each year to that region's economy; and

WHEREAS, while economists have projected the creation of thousands of new high-technology jobs, data indicate that there are many job vacancies currently existing in computer science, engineering and other related fields, prompting employers to go outside Virginia and even overseas to acquire trained personnel; and

WHEREAS, only 2,124 of the 24,000 students who graduated with bachelor's degrees from Virginia's colleges and universities in 1996 finished with computer science or engineering degrees; and

WHEREAS, the gap between marketplace demand for high technology workers and the available supply is threatening to stall Commonwealth's pursuit of a vibrant economic expansion; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth lacks a framework for state-level policy and planning related to the role of the public schools and institutions of higher education in developing skills needed in the high-technology work force to ensure Virginia's long-term leadership in a technology-based knowledge economy; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia be requested to examine the demand for computer scientists, engineers, and other technologically skilled workers in Virginia industry. In pursuing its study, the State Council shall assess employment needs for these technologically skilled workers in Virginia industry and shall review and propose actions the Commonwealth, institutions of higher education, and the private sector might take to increase the number of enrollments and graduates in programs leading to technological competence, including but not limited to computer science, engineering, and related fields.

The State Council shall consult with state-supported and independent colleges and universities in the Commonwealth, the Center for Innovative Technology, the Department of Education, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, and the Northern Virginia Technology Council.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the State Council for this study, upon request.

The State Council shall complete its work and to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by November 15, 1997, as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.