Education and Workforce Development Committee Meeting - May 11, 2026
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Education and Workforce Development Committee Meeting - May 11, 2026
The Education and Workforce Development Committee of the Prince George's County Council met on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 1:39 PM in Committee Room 2027. Chair Shayla Adams-Stafford presided with Council Members Eric Olson and Thomas Dernoga present at roll call; Vice Chair Edward Burroughs arrived at 2:30 PM, and Council Member Sydney Harrison was excused. The meeting covered two pieces of legislation (CB-037-2026 and CR-033-2026) and three briefings (Summer Youth Enrichment Program, Literacy Throughline by PGCPS, and After School/Out-of-School Time Programming by Parks and Recreation). The meeting adjourned at 3:11 PM.
Legislation
CB-037-2026 – Apprenticeship Incentive Program
- This act requires Employ Prince George’s and other relevant County agencies to strategically provide a package of incentives to increase the prevalence of apprenticeships across Prince George’s County, particularly in technology, construction, building trades, and healthcare. The legislation also requires annual reporting of apprenticeship data to the County Council.
- Staff analysis indicated an adverse fiscal impact of $200,000 to $750,000 annually, partially offset by potential increased tax revenues. The County Executive’s office expressed support and noted existing grant funding for similar work. The Office of Law found the bill legally sufficient.
- Council Member Dernoga moved for favorable recommendation, seconded by Council Member Olson. The motion carried 3-0 (Adams-Stafford, Olson, Dernoga aye; Harrison excused; Burroughs absent).
CR-033-2026 – Quantum Science Workforce Development Resolution
- This resolution expresses support for advancing the quantum science and technology workforce in Prince George’s County, encouraging collaboration among educational institutions, workforce development organizations, employers, and public agencies, and urging stakeholders to discuss strategies for preparing residents for the quantum economy.
- Staff analysis found no immediate fiscal impact but noted potential future economic growth and security considerations. The County Executive’s office supported the resolution. The Office of Law found it legally sufficient.
- An amendment (draft two) inserted an additional whereas clause referencing the Capital of Quantum Initiative. The amendment was moved by Council Member Dernoga, seconded by Council Member Olson, and carried 3-0. The resolution as amended was then favorably recommended by a 3-0 vote (same voting pattern).
Briefings
Summer Youth Enrichment Program (SYEP) – Office of Human Resource Management (OHRM)
- The program is a six-week initiative (July 6 – August 14, 2026) serving youth ages 14–24. Budget includes $1 million from the county and $1.3 million from the U.S. Department of Labor. Projected to serve over 2,000 youth.
- Participants receive stipends ($300–$500 based on age) or hourly wages ($13–$15 per hour for 16+; 14–15 year olds receive stipends only). Job categories include public safety, IT, business, and healthcare.
- David Williams (Youth Employment Manager) reported that 8,000 applications were received, partly due to the closure of Six Flags, which previously employed 1,000–2,000 youth. The program partners with county agencies and local businesses; efforts to recruit healthcare and IT employers are ongoing.
- Committee members asked about placement in hospitals, impact of Six Flags closure, and strengthening partnerships with the Equity and Excellence Foundation. OHRM staff noted they are exploring business incentives and need for greater financial investment.
Literacy Throughline – Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS)
- Dr. Victoria Holmes and team presented a shared vision for literacy from Pre-K through grade 12, grounded in the science of reading and the five pillars of literacy. They described high-leverage skills: oral language, structured discussion, vocabulary, reading/thinking with evidence, and writing.
- Community partners were encouraged to reinforce these skills through read-alouds, discussions, academic vocabulary use, and written reflection. Tools like the “How Community Partners Can Support Students” document were shared.
- Chair Adams-Stafford asked about parental support for pre-kindergarten literacy, explicit vocabulary instruction, and alignment with Parks and Planning and library programs. PGCPS representatives noted existing parent academy offerings, vocabulary instruction embedded in curricula, and willingness to synthesize initiatives.
After School and Out-of-School Time Academic/Literacy Programming – Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Parks & Recreation Department
- Tara Stewart and Anthony Nolan explained that the department offers licensed child care programs (kids’ care, kids’ club, therapeutic recreation) at community centers and athletic complexes, with fees of $232.50/month eligible for fee assistance and state scholarships.
- They reported 6,828 participants in academic/enrichment registration programs (FY25 year-to-date) and over 560 summer camps planned for FY26, with potential to serve 18,576 children. The department is developing a summer enrichment pilot with three weekly academic sessions focusing on early literacy, STEM, digital literacy, career readiness, and more.
- The department seeks to partner with PGCPS to align activities with student learner profiles and to co-locate recreation activities at schools. Committee members discussed transportation, capacity in specific districts, and advertising through schools.
Key Outcomes
- CB-037-2026: Favorably recommended to the County Council by a vote of 3-0. Next step: full Council consideration.
- CR-033-2026: Amended and favorably recommended to the County Council by a vote of 3-0. Next step: full Council consideration.
- Briefings: All three briefings were held and accepted as informational. Committee directed staff to facilitate further coordination between PGCPS, Parks and Recreation, and other entities regarding literacy and workforce pipeline alignment.
Meeting Transcript
Okay. Well, just good afternoon, and thank you everyone for joining the education and workforce development committee meeting. My name is Councilmember Shayla Adam Stafford and I serve as the chair. Today is Monday, May 11th, 2026, and we'll start with the roll call. Thank you. Chair Adam Stafford. Present. Councilmember Olson. Here. Councilmember Dernoga. Three members present at roll call. Thank you. For today's briefings, we will have two pieces of legislation. I'm sorry, for today's agenda, we'll have two pieces of legislation and three briefings. I want to thank all of our presenters. We're so appreciative of your time. And we are really looking forward to a robust discussion and the opportunity to collaborate. So our first agenda item will be CB037 2026, an act concerning the apprenticeship incentive program. This legislation looks to provide a package of incentives to employers who offer apprenticeships, and we hope that this will be a catalyst for even more county originated talent pipelines that can carry our workforce into the future. I'm going to turn it over to our EWD director, um, Dr. Arun Parakin for an overview. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. Good afternoon, Council members. My name is Dr. Rune Parakan, director of the Education and Workforce Development Committee. The first item as stated is CB037 2026, an act concerning the apprenticeship incentive program for the purpose of requiring employee principes and other relevant county agencies to work to strategically provide a package of incentives to increase the prevalence of apprenticeships across Prince George's County and particularly in industries including technology, construction, building trades, and health care. Additionally, employee per shortages will be required to report essential data on apprenticeships to the county council annually. I will now turn it over to Mr. Caleb Callender for the policy analysis and fiscal impact overview. Thank you, Dr. Perakan for the record, Caleb Callender. Uh enactment of CB 37 2026 is likely to have an adverse fiscal impact on the county due to the cost of establishing and administering the proposed incentive program to provide some context to other relevant programs. Howard County in FY 2026 allocated approximately 150,000 to support its uh apprenticeship opportunity program. Um and Prince George's County does have a significantly larger population. Um and it is likely that a proportionately higher level of funding would uh be required. Um also in 2026, Maryland allocated uh five million dollars to its apprenticeship incentive program as Prince George's County represents roughly 16% of the state's population. A proportional allocation would be roughly $750,000. Um so the exact fiscal impact would be dependent on the program scale and funding allocation, but proper implementation implementation to ensure effectiveness would likely require 200,000 to 750,000 dollars annually. Uh these expenditures may be partially offset over time by increased tax revenues resulting from higher employment levels, workforce participation, and economic activity generated through expanding expanded apprenticeship opportunities. Thank you. And this concludes my report. Okay, thank you so much. I'm gonna turn it over to the county executive's office for any comments. Thank you, Angela Angel, Council liaison to the county executive. Um, in speaking with the director of employee Prince George's, um, there is a grant funding that they have to do similar work around apprenticeship, and so they will be utilizing some of that work to um satisfy the requirements of this and will be um modifying their reporting structure to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this bill and reporting back to council. Um so uh of course we are supportive of increasing apprenticeships in the county and appreciate your office and for the director for including us in this legislation. Thank you. Thank you so much. Um, I'll turn it over to the office of law for any comments.
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