(1)(a) There is created in the Higher Education Coordinating Commission a program to make grants to pilot projects to promote hands-on experience and education in the fundamentals and core competencies in architecture, construction trades and engineering for high school juniors and seniors.

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(b) Pilot projects funded by the program created under this subsection shall be based on collaborative efforts between local school districts, community colleges, business organizations and labor organizations that provide participants the opportunity for education and training in skills required to meet the workforce development needs of local, regional and statewide employers.

(c) The commission may apply for and receive grants and gifts from public and private sources to fund grants provided under this section.

(2) The program created under subsection (1) of this section for making grants to pilot projects shall ensure that:

(a) Local communities are informed about the availability of the grants;

(b) The pilot projects are geographically distributed throughout Oregon;

(c) Urban and rural participants have equal opportunity to access quality educational opportunities;

(d) Representatives of related, ongoing community efforts assist in the implementation of architecture, construction trades and engineering education and training; and

(e) The program and timelines are designed to minimize barriers to receiving funds.

(3) When considering applications for grants, the program shall give priority to pilot projects that:

(a) Provide access for high school juniors and seniors to architecture, construction trades and engineering education and training through the efforts of local and regional career centers and public-private consortia;

(b) In combination with other projects receiving funds, contribute to architecture, construction trades and engineering education and training opportunities in every part of the state;

(c) Use private and federal funds;

(d) Facilitate sharing of resources through public-private partnerships including collaboration among local school districts, community colleges, business organizations and labor organizations;

(e) Have a long-term strategic plan and lack only the necessary financial resources;

(f) Help students connect education and training with career planning and job opportunities through local and regional career centers implemented under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act;

(g) Provide articulated secondary and post-secondary education programs that are designed to lead to a degree or industry-specific skills certification; and

(h) Establish short-term training programs that meet the immediate needs of local and regional employers.

(4)(a) The commission shall include in the program created under subsection (1) of this section a process for the certification of instructors for the program to provide education and practical experience in architecture, construction trades and engineering.

(b) The commission shall adopt by rule requirements for the certification of instructors described in paragraph (a) of this subsection.

(c) Notwithstanding the requirements adopted under paragraph (b) of this subsection, a person qualified to serve as an instructor in a state-recognized apprenticeship program is qualified for certification as an instructor for projects implemented under this section. [2009 c.836 § 4; 2015 c.366 § 65; 2017 c.185 § 38; 2017 c.297 § 16; 2021 c.100 § 2]