Resolved, There shall be a special commission for the purpose of devising a statewide strategy to recruit and retain college graduates and individuals who have completed skilled apprentice training programs for the Massachusetts workforce.  The commission shall consist of 3 members of the senate to be appointed by the senate president, 1 of whom shall be a member of the minority party, and 1 of whom shall serve as co-chair, 3 members of the house of representatives to be appointed by the speaker of the house, 1 of whom shall be a member of the minority party, and 1 of whom shall serve as co-chair, the commissioner of the board of higher education or his designee, the secretary of workforce development or her designee, the director of apprentice training or his designee, the undersecretary of housing and community development or her designee, the president of the university of Massachusetts or his designee, 3 representatives of the 9 state colleges, to be appointed by the governor, 3 representatives from the 15 community colleges, to be appointed by the governor, the president of the association of independent colleges and universities in Massachusetts or his designee, the president of associated industries of Massachusetts or his designee, and the president of the Massachusetts AFL/CIO or his designee. The 6 gubernatorial appointees shall represent public institutions of higher education from all regions of the Commonwealth.

The commission’s study shall include analysis of why Massachusetts college graduates and skilled workers leave the Commonwealth after graduation and shall develop a comprehensive recruitment and retention statewide plan to secure a diverse and well-trained workforce across the Commonwealth.  Said plan may involve recommendations or programs to assist with the repayment of student loans, first time home buying, or other initiatives that the commission finds to be of importance to young graduates and workers as they consider where to settle after completing their academic or professional training.  The commission shall consider the costs of self sufficiency, housing and quality of life across Massachusetts as well as the types of jobs available in all regions of the Commonwealth.  The commission shall make recommendations about how the state’s higher education, apprenticeship training and workforce development agencies should collaborate in order to recruit and retain young workers in Massachusetts. 

The commission shall report to the general court the results of its investigation and study, and its recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry such recommendations into effect by filing them with the clerk of the senate and the clerk of the house of representatives on or before June 30, 2010.  The commission may issue preliminary or interim reports to the general court before that date.