The bill amends the Code of West Virginia to enhance the structure and function of community and technical college/career and technical education consortia planning districts. Notably, it adds Braxton County High School as a participating institution in the Southeastern District, which includes several other counties and educational institutions. The bill outlines the responsibilities of these consortia, which include conducting comprehensive assessments of workforce needs, developing integrated educational programs, and ensuring collaboration between community colleges and public career and technical education centers.

Additionally, the bill allows participating institutions to form partnerships outside their designated regions under specific conditions, particularly if the facilitating community and technical college does not offer a requested program. This flexibility aims to better meet the educational and workforce development needs of the region. The legislation emphasizes the importance of aligning educational programs with industry standards and labor market demands, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for high-wage, high-demand occupations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18B-3C-4
Engrossed Version: 18B-3C-4
Enrolled Version: 18B-3C-4