The bill mandates the establishment of an online, interactive platform by the Department of Workforce Development in Iowa, aimed at connecting students with professionals to explore various career options. This platform will enable educators from participating schools to request online sessions with professionals based on industry designations and student interests. The platform is designed to match professionals' backgrounds, experiences, and skills with the specific needs of classrooms and curricula, thereby enhancing the educational experience for students.

Additionally, the bill outlines several key functions of the platform, including the ability for educators to request connections to professionals, for professionals to accept these requests, and for them to conduct online sessions where they can share insights and answer student questions. The platform will also feature recorded video presentations from industry leaders and allow professionals or industry associations to sponsor participation costs for schools. The Department is authorized to collaborate with other states that have similar platforms to ensure effective implementation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 84A.5