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Supporters urge Washington committee to back House Bill 1414 to expand paid work-based learning for 16- and 17-year-olds
Summary
Testimony at a state committee hearing urged allowing paid, supervised work-based learning for 16- and 17-year-old students and asked lawmakers to revisit regulations through a working group to address capacity, access and safety concerns.
Supporters of changes to work-based learning regulations told a Washington state legislative committee that allowing paid, supervised work placements for 16- and 17-year-olds would expand access to living-wage career pathways and relieve capacity pressures at career and technical education programs.
At a committee hearing, Joel Boucher of Kennewick, a resident with farm and food-industry experience, said current rules prevent young people in skill centers and similar programs from being paid for work in farming, packing, food service and retail. “These programs are limited both in capacity as well as regional accessibility,” Boucher said, adding that students miss opportunities to develop “soft skills that are…
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