(a) In this section, “public technical institute” has the meaning assigned by § 61.003, Education Code.
(b) The department may enter into an agreement with a public junior college district under § 130.0081, Education Code, or a public technical institute under § 135.06, Education Code, or other applicable law to offer a program leading to a state information technology credential to address shortages in the state information resources workforce.

(c) A program offered under this section must:
(1) be approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in accordance with § 61.0512, Education Code;
(2) develop the knowledge and skills necessary for an entry-level information technology position in a state agency; and
(3) include a one-year apprenticeship with:
(A) the department;
(B) another relevant state agency;
(C) an organization working on a major information resources project; or
(D) a regional network security center established under § 2059.202.
(d) The executive director shall update the department’s intra-agency career ladder program to ensure that an associate degree together with a credential awarded under this section may be substituted for a four-year baccalaureate degree.
(e) The classification officer in the office of the state auditor shall review the state’s position classification plan to determine whether an associate degree together with a credential awarded under this section may be substituted for a four-year baccalaureate degree and revise relevant job descriptions accordingly.
(f) If a program offered under this section is not fully funded through tuition and other money of the public junior college district or public technical institute available for the purpose, the department may:
(1) use any money available to the department for the purpose to offer a program under this section; and
(2) solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source for purposes of offering a program under this section.