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Sponsor pitches WorkKeys expansion to give students workforce assessment access and up to nine college credit hours
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Summary
Representative Josh Hurlbert presented HB 3489 to expand access to WorkKeys assessments and to allow institutions to award up to nine credit hours for demonstrated workplace skills; ACT, the Missouri Chamber and DESE testified in favor or provided information; funding and whether higher education would be required to adopt credit recommendations were key questions.
Representative Josh Hurlbert introduced House Bill 3489, which would increase access to workforce-development assessments (including ACT's WorkKeys) in high schools and allow institutions of higher education to translate demonstrated workplace skills into up to nine semester hours of college credit as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE).
Hurlbert told the committee the bill is patterned after laws adopted in other states and is intended to elevate career readiness alongside college readiness. He said the bill is a first step and that he welcomed committee feedback as the legislature has limited time remaining in the session.
John Ido of ACT testified in support, describing the assessments and citing ACE guidance that recommended awarding up to nine semester hours to students who earn recognized WorkKeys categories; Ido said more than 39,000 learners in Missouri have taken WorkKeys in recent years and that many employers recognize the credential.
Chance Hepla, representing the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told the committee employers repeatedly cite workforce development as a top concern and said the chamber supports measures that connect students to career pathways.
Perry Goral of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education explained current DESE use of WorkKeys in technical education programs, noted WorkKeys has been funded from sports-wagering revenue that has not yet been distributed, and said the Department of Higher Education is evaluating WorkKeys' validity and industry recognition.
Members queried whether higher-education institutions would be required to adopt ACE recommendations (the sponsor said the bill takes a modest, voluntary step for now), how the bill interacts with the governor's workforce executive order (the sponsor said it is parallel but not identical), and how the program would be funded without full distribution of sports-wagering revenue. There was no committee vote on HB 3489 at this hearing; the committee closed the hearing after receiving testimony and adjourned.
If advanced, the bill would allow more pathways for students who pursue career and technical education to convert workplace-assessment performance into college credit or recognized certifications.
