Senate Committee Votes “Ought to Pass” on SB 12, Establishing the NH College Graduate Retention Ince

CONCORD—Today, the Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee voted 5-0 “Ought to Pass” on SB 12, establishing the New Hampshire college graduate retention incentive partnership program. SB 12 will help to retain two and four-year college graduates in New Hampshire after graduation. New Hampshire employers agree to pay recent NH college graduates a $1,000 incentive, through a bonus or direct payment to a student loan lender, at the end of each year of employment for four years. In exchange, the participating employers will be able to post available positions on the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs’ Live Free website, and marketing of these firms and the website would be done by the NH College and University Council’s 22 member institutions.

Senator Kahn released the following statement after the hearing:

“The NH College Graduate Retention Incentive Partnership is an on-switch to help high school juniors include New Hampshire colleges and employers in their school to career planning and transitions. SB 12’s unique public-private partnership brings together business, education, and government to fill the lack of state retention incentives that will help to attract and retain the skilled workers New Hampshire employers need while encouraging New Hampshire graduates to stay in-state post-graduation.”