Nevada joins 11-state study to help workers

CARSON CITY — Nevada is part of an 11-state group that will study occupational licensing policies and potential improvements to help workers.

The work, announced Wednesday, will analyze licensing policies, study actions to remove barriers that prevent workers from entering the labor market and increase the portability of licenses from state to state.

The group will look at populations facing the most difficulty in getting licensed, including skilled immigrants, those with criminal records, veterans and the unemployed.

“We shouldn’t make it unnecessarily difficult for those who already have the necessary skills to obtain jobs,” Gov. Brian Sandoval said. “I’m glad Nevada is part of this group of states that will work to reduce unnecessary burdens and help strengthen the nation’s workforce.”

Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Utah and Wisconsin also are involved. A $7.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration is helping the project.

Contact Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com or 775-461-0661. Follow @BenBotkin1 on Twitter.