(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.
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