An “apprenticeship council”, hereinafter referred to as the council, shall be appointed by the secretary of workforce solutions without regard to any other provisions of law regarding the appointment and compensation of employees of the state. It shall consist of three persons known to represent employers, three persons known to represent labor organizations and three public representatives and shall include, as ex-officio members without vote, the secretary of workforce solutions and the secretary of public education or the secretary’s designee. Persons appointed to the council shall be familiar with apprenticeable occupations. The terms of office of the members of the council first appointed shall expire as designated by the secretary of workforce solutions at the time of making the appointment: one representative each of employers, labor organizations and the public being appointed for one year; one representative each of employers, labor organizations and the public being appointed for two years; and one representative each of employers, labor organizations and the public being appointed for three years. Thereafter, each member shall be appointed for a term of three years. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term of the member’s predecessor shall be appointed for the remainder of that term. Members of the council not otherwise compensated by public money shall be reimbursed for their official duties in accordance with the Per Diem and Mileage Act N.M. Stat. Ann. § 10-8-1 to 10-8-8 for attendance at not in excess of twelve meetings per year.