[§302A-433.5]  Adult workforce readiness program; established.  (a)  There is established within the department an adult workforce readiness program to be administered by the adult and community education program.

     (b)  The department shall designate schools, including adult and community schools, that may participate in the program.

     (c)  Designated adult workforce readiness program schools shall provide opportunities for students to earn associate degrees, as well as workforce development diplomas, pre-apprenticeship certificates, and other industry-recognized certificates that assess and document the student's readiness for a wide range of employment.

     (d)  The department may coordinate with the department of labor and industrial relations and the department of human services division of vocational rehabilitation and may enter into contracts with local industry employers, as appropriate, to develop and implement the workforce readiness program.

     (e)  The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 for the purposes of this section. [L 2022, c 261, §2]