Committee backs bill creating Office of Talent Accelerator inside LA Works to help employers find workers

The Senate Committee on Labor on April 15 reported House Bill 951 favorably, a bill to establish an Office of Talent Accelerator inside Louisiana Works intended to streamline employer access to workforce resources without requiring new general-fund appropriations.

Representative Bamberg told the committee the office would act as a “concierge service” for employers facing workforce needs created by recent capital investment in the state. Secretary Susie Shawen of Louisiana Works testified the department is prepared to house the office and carry out its functions.

"This is an exciting time in Louisiana, and we are very focused on the need to work directly with our employer partners in order to make sure that they get the workers that they need," Secretary Shawen said.

Supporters from workforce and business organizations, including Leaders for a Better Louisiana, the Louisiana Home Builders Association and others, told the committee they supported the measure as a best-practices approach to connect businesses with hiring resources. Barry Erwin of Leaders for a Better Louisiana said the bill follows practices from other states and would help connect employers to workforce solutions.

Senator Myers moved to report the bill favorably; with no objection the committee reported HB 951 out of committee.