(a) The Office of Skills Development and the Career Education and Workforce Development Board, in coordination with the Division of Higher Education, the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the Department of Education, shall:
(1)
(A) Bring together business leaders, industry leaders, education leaders, state agencies, training providers, and other workforce development stakeholders in order to develop a strategic plan and road map for meeting current and future workforce demands.
(B) The plan required under subdivision (a)(1)(A) of this section shall:
(i) Assist state agencies in better understanding the changing economy;
(ii) Promote alignment of workforce education, higher education, skills, and training with present and future career opportunities;
(iii) Identify the estimated costs associated with implementing the required plan under this section;
(iv) Identify potential new revenue streams to fund recommendations that are supplemental to existing education funding sources; and
(v) Identify areas of high unemployment in the state where increased efforts can stimulate job growth and employment attainment.
(C) A preliminary plan and recommendations shall be presented to the Governor, the Senate Committee on Education, and the House Committee on Education by July 2020;
(2) Develop and oversee a comprehensive apprenticeship office that serves as the center point for business, industry, and education leaders that want to establish an earn-to-learn apprenticeship program;
(3) Design and create a website that exhibits all aspects of workforce development education, programs, and employment opportunities in the state, and includes without limitation information and opportunities for students, educators, industry leaders, and employers;
(4) Develop a catalogue of nationally recognized credentials that are widely adopted by the respective industries and related to the applicable programs of instruction at each high school, community college, or technical institute or vocational-technical school;
(5)
(A) Report on the status of programs of instruction related to the catalogue of nationally recognized credentials developed under subdivision (a)(4) of this section on an annual basis to the Senate Committee on Education and the House Committee on Education beginning January 1, 2020.
(B) The report required under subdivision (a)(5)(A) of this section shall include without limitation related costs associated with seeking and maintaining identified national credentials;
(6) Establish an asset map to identify all state and federal dollars and programs that are intended for workforce education and training from kindergarten through career levels in order to promote alignment of all resources utilized towards the development of an educated and skilled workforce in this state;
(7) Establish an industry sector-led review of related industry-specific programs that are delivered by two-year institutions of higher education and, if applicable, four-year institutions of higher education that includes without limitation:
(A) Curriculum;
(B) Instruction;
(C) Equipment, tools, and technology utilized in instruction;
(D) Employment outcomes;
(E) Partner engagement; and
(F) Program and instructional alignment with widely accepted industry standards or applicable national credentials referenced under subdivision (a)(4) of this section;
(8) Submit a report on the findings of industry-led reviews conducted under subdivision (a)(7) of this section upon completion to the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education;
(9) Adopt rules to administer the office and the Career Education and Workforce Development Board and the programs developed by the office and the Career Education and Workforce Development Board, including without limitation the creation and election of officers subsequent to the initial chairs;
(10) Oversee the office; and
(11) Address other items relative to the quality and operation of workforce development efforts, opportunities, and programs under this subchapter.
(b) The office and the Career Education and Workforce Development Board shall be industry-driven in membership and duties.