Workforce development: soft skills training.

Existing law establishes the Employment Training Panel within the Employment Development Department and prescribes the functions and duties of the panel with respect to various employment training programs in the state. Existing law requires the panel, among other things, to solicit proposals and write contracts for the purpose of providing employment training and requires these contracts to be made for training in job-related vocational skills that are necessary for participants to attain a new job or retain an existing job. Existing law authorizes the contracts to include ancillary training for job-related basic and literacy training if the panel finds that the training is necessary to achieve the objectives of the vocational training. This bill would specify, with regard to the contracts described above, that job-related basic and literacy skills training includes soft skills and would define "soft skills" as behaviors and competencies to allow people to navigate professional environments, work well with colleagues, and perform up to standards for professional success. The bill would also make conforming changes in this regard.