Board talks of workforce development

CHENEY — The state Higher Education Coordinating Board is meeting at Eastern Washington University Thursday to discuss the future workforce.

"A four-member panel will brief the board on the broad scope of employer needs that require less than a bachelor's degree, including workforce training, certificated programs, and associate degrees," said spokesperson Kris Betker.

Policy experts from various organizations are going to help outline goals for workforce development as part of the 2008 Strategic Master Plan, Betker said. The strategic master plan, renewed every four years, must be finished by Dec. 15, she said. After completion, the plan is submitted to the state Legislature.

At the meeting, the board is going to consider a proposal from the Puget Sound Regional Council's Prosperity Partnership calling for 8,000 more degrees in high-demand fields and fields with high impact by 2010, she said.

"According to the partnership, Washington leads the nation in using bachelor's degrees, but ranks 36th in per capita production of bachelor's degrees," Betker said.

The meeting is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Eastern Washington University, Tawanka 215 B and C.