Education & Workforce Development

Our policy focus on education and workforce development issues for Maryland

Our focus: Education & Workforce

We support an educational and vocational ecosystem focused on developing, retaining, and attracting a more globally competitive workforce. We believe in strategies that seamlessly link education and workforce development and embed skills-based learning into academic instruction.

Key Issues Include

Apprenticeships
Skills development
Talent pipeline
Entrepreneur development

Related Policy Priorities & Anticipated Issues for 2025

Apprenticeship and Intern Tax Credits & Reform: Expand the pool of apprenticeship and career technical education opportunities for the next generation of workers, while also simplifying the process to apply for a credit. We also support the recruitment and retention of skilled trades to meet current and future workforce demands for transportation and infrastructure upgrades.

Apprenticeship Statutory Definition: Expand the definition of a qualifying apprenticeship to capture a greater segment of the work training population and increase the number of employers who can access apprenticeship related incentive programs. We also support increasing the ratio of apprentices per regularly employed journeyperson in non-building trades, which is currently one journeyperson to one apprentice.

Second Chance Employment: Expand career and education opportunities and attainment for justice-impacted individuals, including individuals in the addiction recovery community and those who are currently or formerly incarcerated, while ensuring employers are protected from liability associated with hiring.

Military Retirement Relief: Recognizing the many benefits veterans bring to their communities, Maryland’s neighboring states have made it a priority to recruit and retain military retirees. As a result, Maryland continues to suffer brain drain as military retirees take their talents and experiences elsewhere. With a high concentration of cybersecurity, intelligence, and defense related jobs alongside major workforce challenges, it is time Maryland’s elected leaders get serious about retaining our veterans. The Maryland Chamber supports the elimination of the state income tax on uniformed services retirement pay. The elimination of said tax will make Maryland competitive in retaining veterans and their families while solving a major workforce challenge.

All 2025 Legislative Priorities & Critical Issues

Get an in-depth look at the pressing issues and legislative priorities we've identified for the 2025 Legislative Session.

Explore 2025 Legislative Priorities

Get involved

Join our Education & Workforce Development Policy Committee

Our Education & Workforce Development policy committee covers issues addressing both education and workforce development, with a focus on issues that help students access quality, affordable training for college and careers while building a pipeline of qualified workers. This committee meets during the Maryland General Assembly Legislative Session as needed. Meetings are held remotely via video conferencing.

Contact governmentaffairs@mdchamber.org for more information.

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Legislative Tracking

Stay up to date with our members-only Bill Tracker during session. Get concise bill summaries, anticipated positions, and more. Our 2024 Bill Tracker will be available soon after the start of the 2024 Legislative Session.

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