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Rep. Tim Probst, serving the 17th District Serving Vancouver and the surrounding communities of southern Clark County. |
House approves Opportunity Internships
March 5, 2009
OLYMPIA – A proposal to link high school students with high-demand
careers was approved today by the House. Rep. Tim Probst, D-Vancouver,
introduced the measure to address, in part, high school dropout prevention
and a lack of skilled workers in growing fields.
“Opportunity
Internships are life-changing for some students. They provide a connection
to the real working world, and help students understand the relevance of
their education. We can show students what great things they can achieve,”
Probst said. “Opportunity Internships are a way to reengage at-risk students
while also helping local industries grow.”
Opportunity Internships,
House Bill 1355, is one of four pieces of Probst’s Middle-Class Action Plan.
The other pieces deal with middle-class tax relief, reducing small business
regulation, and becoming an energy exporter to the world.
“I came to
Olympia with a promise to help the middle class and this is the first step,”
Probst said. “I’m encouraged that the House passed this, and I will continue
to work on the next steps to strengthen the middles class.”
The bill
would work by:
- Supporting local groups that create channels to get
students from high school into careers
- Offers internships, a year of
financial aid and other opportunities to students completing certain
programs
- When a local group successfully places a student in a job, it
helps the group continue their success with a $2,000 incentive payment
“Opportunity Internships is based on a proven program that worked for
over a 140 students,” Probst said. “With the economy slowing, this is the
exact time to give opportunities to students who might feel like more doors
are closing than opening right now.”
The legislation is Probst’s
first to pass out of the House, receiving a vote of 65 to 32. It now goes to
the Senate for consideration.
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For more information
State Rep. Tim Probst, (360) 786-7994
Print-quality image:
www.leg.wa.gov/documents/House/Members/Photos/Probst.jpg
Staff
contact – Andrew Dziedzic, (360) 786-7218
Bill information
HB
1355: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1355&year=2009