Budget Amendment ID: FY2023-S4-739-R1

Redraft EDU 739

Cranberry Industry Workforce Development Needs Study

Ms. Moran and Messrs. Pacheco and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 7100-0200, by adding the following words:- “; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended as a grant to the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth to conduct a study and submit a report on the workforce development needs of the commonwealth’s cranberry industry; provided further, that the university shall consult and collaborate with the University of Massachusetts at Amherst’s Cranberry Station and the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association in conducting the study; provided further, that the report shall identify and assess current workforce challenges including, but not limited to: (i) existing workforce pipeline issues; (ii) emerging workforce needs; (iii) the development of workforce training programs at community colleges, state universities and regional vocational and technical high schools; (iv) the feasibility of grant, scholarship and other pipeline development initiatives to support current and future needs for full and part-time employees; (v) an assessment identifying chronic and acute workforce shortages affecting the industry; (vi) the need to provide a greater awareness of the cranberry industry as a career; (vii) the need for employees with technology skills; and (viii) the use of drones, robotics, global positioning systems and data management technology; provided further, that not later than December 31, 2022, the university shall submit the report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing its findings and recommendations to address workforce development issues within the cranberry industry”; and

by striking out the figure “$648,366,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “$648,466,000”.