(1) There is created in the Higher Education Coordinating Commission the Oregon Employer Workforce Training Program. Subject to the availability of funding, and in consultation with the State Workforce and Talent Development Board, the commission shall operate, and local workforce development boards shall manage, the program for the purpose of:

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(a) Assisting businesses and consortia of businesses in implementing projects that identify and provide cost-effective solutions to the issues of employee training, retention and advancement;

(b) Maximizing the utilization of public and private resources for providing training to employed persons in skills that are responsive to the need of businesses and industries in Oregon to become and to remain competitive on the national and international level; and

(c) Responding to the need of workers in Oregon to develop current job skills necessary to meet the current and future needs of employers.

(2)(a) Businesses in industries identified in the plans developed by local workforce development boards as required by ORS § 660.327 are eligible to participate in projects selected for participation in the program.

(b) Priority for approval of projects submitted under this subsection shall be given to businesses in industries that have the greatest impact on the local economy and emerging green jobs.

(3) Local workforce development boards shall:

(a) Identify businesses and consortia of businesses for potential participation in the program;

(b) Develop and implement an application process for projects proposed for the program;

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of the Public Contracting Code, use an open and competitive procurement process for agreements entered into with participants in the program;

(d) Require that businesses participating in a project provide private sector funding equal to the amount of state funding provided for the project; and

(e) Track and report to the commission the outcomes of projects implemented in the local workforce development area, including, but not limited to:

(A) The number of businesses participating in approved projects;

(B) The number and types of projects completed;

(C) The number of employees receiving training;

(D) The number of jobs retained or created by the businesses participating in the project; and

(E) The value of the private sector funding provided.

(4) The commission shall adopt rules necessary for the implementation and operation of the program created under subsection (1) of this section. The rules shall include, but are not limited to, a process by which moneys may be appropriated and allocated to the local workforce development boards to support projects identified by the local workforce development boards under subsection (3) of this section. [2011 c.702 § 2; 2013 c.747 § 172; 2015 c.366 § 61; 2017 c.185 § 35; 2017 c.297 § 13]