Sec. 61c.
(1) From the general fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2021-2022 an amount not to exceed $7,500,000.00 to eligible career education planning districts for the CTE skilled trades initiative described in subsections (2) to (5). To be eligible to receive funding under this section, at least 50% of the area served by a CEPD must be located in an intermediate district that did not levy a vocational education millage in 2021.
(2) To receive funding under subsection (1), each eligible CEPD must apply in a form and manner prescribed by the department. Funding to each eligible CEPD must be equal to the quotient of the allocation under subsection (1) and the sum of the number of career education planning districts applying for funding under subsection (1) that are located in an intermediate district that did not levy a vocational education millage in 2021.
(3) At least 50% of the funding allocated to each eligible CEPD must be used to update equipment in current CTE programs that have been identified in the highest 5 career cluster rankings in the most recent CEPD regional strategic plans jointly approved by the Michigan talent investment agency in the department of labor and economic opportunity and the department, for training on new equipment, for professional development relating to computer science or coding, or for new and emerging certified CTE programs to allow CEPD administrators to provide programming in communities that will enhance economic development. The funding for equipment should be used to support and enhance community areas that have sustained job growth, and act as a commitment to build a more qualified and skilled workforce. In addition, each CEPD is encouraged to explore the option of leasing equipment from local private industry to encourage the use of the most advanced equipment.
(4) The allocation of funds at the local level must be determined by CEPD administrators using data from the state, region, and local sources to make well-informed decisions on program equipment improvements. Grants awarded by CEPD administrators for capital infrastructure must be used to ensure that CTE programs can deliver educational programs in high-wage, high-skill, and high-demand occupations. Each CEPD shall continue to ensure that program advisory boards make recommendations on needed improvements for equipment that support job growth and job skill development and retention for both the present and the future.
(5) Not later than September 15 of each fiscal year, each CEPD receiving funding shall annually report to the department, the senate and house appropriations subcommittees on school aid, the senate and house fiscal agencies, and legislature on equipment purchased under subsection (1). In addition, the report must identify growth data on program involvement, retention, and development of student skills.
(6) As used in this section:
(a) "CEPD" means a career education planning district described in this section.
(b) "CTE" means career and technical education.
History: Add. 2016, Act 249, Eff. Oct. 1, 2016 ;-- Am. 2016, Act 313, Eff. Oct. 6, 2016 ;-- Am. 2017, Act 108, Eff. Oct. 1, 2017 ;-- Am. 2017, Act 143, Imd. Eff. Nov. 2, 2017 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 265, Eff. Oct. 1, 2018 ;-- Am. 2021, Act 48, Eff. Oct. 1, 2021
Compiler's Notes: For the type III transfer of authority, powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities of the talent investment agency and the workforce development agency to the department of labor and economic opportunity, see E.R.O. No. 2019-3, compiled at MCL 125.1998.