1. (a) The department shall establish and maintain a work ethic certificate program to:

   1. (1) connect employers to local school corporations and schools to create a collaborative partnership that benefits the community;
   2. (2) provide high school students with an understanding of necessary employability skills for in-demand jobs and allow students an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the employability skills while in high school; and
   3. (3) provide employers with potential employees who understand the values and importance of responsibility and perseverance in the workplace.
2. (b) The department shall develop the program in consultation with employers, community based programs, and postsecondary educational institutions. The department shall develop application guidelines for the program.
3. (c) A school corporation, school, consortium of school corporations or schools, or a local workforce development board serving schools may apply to participate in the program at a time and in a manner prescribed by the department.
4. (d) The department shall align the program to interdisciplinary employability skills standards prescribed in IC 20-30-5-14 (c).

As added by P.L.57-2018, SEC.2.