Hired asks for continued career‑pathway and retention funding after prior appropriation placed 90–105 trainees into jobs

Senator Champion presented Senate File 798, requesting state support for Hired, a workforce nonprofit that provides career‑pathway training and job retention services connecting low‑income job seekers to employers.

Julie Brecky, Hired president and CEO, told the committee the nonprofit served 4,300 individuals last year, placed about 1,250 people in jobs with an average wage of $26.50 an hour, and used the prior direct appropriation ($400,000 per year in the last biennium) to support career‑pathway training. She said the most recent contract funded training for 105 people (90 completions to date) with 62 placed in jobs so far and that Hired expects to meet or exceed contract goals before the June 30 contract end date.

Bill Sheppard, a distribution supervisor at Medtronic and employer partner, described working with Hired on training and retention, saying Hired helps reduce onboarding time and produces more job‑ready candidates. Hired asked for continued funding for two components: $400,000 per year for career‑pathway training and $300,000 per year for job retention supports in the next biennium.

Committee members asked how many people the prior appropriation served (Hired said 105 enrolled, 90 completed, 62 placed to date) and whether the program will meet placement goals before the contract expires. Hired said they anticipate meeting or exceeding goals with four and a half months remaining on the contract.

The committee laid SF 798 over for possible inclusion. No final vote was taken during the hearing.