Note: This version of section effective until 7-1-2018. See also following version of this section, effective 7-1-2018.

1. (1) Provide coordination to align the various participants in the state's education, job skills development, and career training system.
2. (2) Match the education and skills training provided by the state's education, job skills development, and career training system with the currently existing and future needs of the state's job market. In carrying out its duties under this subdivision, the council must consider the workforce needs and training and education requirements identified in the occupational demand report prepared by the department of workforce development under IC 22-4.1-4-10 .

3. (3) In addition to the department's annual report provided under IC 22-4.1-4-8 , submit not later than December 1 each year to the legislative council in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6 an inventory of current job and career training activities conducted by:

   1. (A) state and local agencies; and

   2. (B) whenever the information is readily available, private groups, associations, and other participants in the state's education, job skills development, and career training system.

      The inventory must provide at least the information listed in IC 22-4.1-4-8 (a)(1) through IC 22-4.1-4-8 (a)(5) for each activity in the inventory.

4. (4) Submit, not later than July 1, 2014, to the legislative council in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6 a strategic plan to improve the state's education, job skills development, and career training system. The council shall submit, not later than December 1, 2013, to the legislative council in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6 a progress report concerning the development of the strategic plan. The strategic plan developed under this subdivision must include at least the following:

   1. (A) Proposed changes, including recommended legislation and rules, to increase coordination, data sharing, and communication among the state, local, and private agencies, groups, and associations that are involved in education, job skills development, and career training.
   2. (B) Proposed changes to make Indiana a leader in employment opportunities related to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (commonly known as STEM).

   3. (C) Proposed changes to address both:

      1. (i) the shortage of qualified workers for current employment opportunities; and
      2. (ii) the shortage of employment opportunities for individuals with a baccalaureate or more advanced degree.

5. (5) Complete, not later than August 1, 2014, a return on investment and utilization study of career and technical education programs in Indiana. The study conducted under this subdivision must include at least the following:

   1. (A) An examination of Indiana's career and technical education programs to determine:

      1. (i) the use of the programs; and
      2. (ii) the impact of the programs on college and career readiness, employment, and economic opportunity.
   2. (B) A survey of the use of secondary, college, and university facilities, equipment, and faculty by career and technical education programs.

   3. (C) Recommendations concerning how career and technical education programs:

      1. (i) give a preference for courses leading to employment in high wage, high demand jobs; and
      2. (ii) add performance based funding to ensure greater competitiveness among program providers and to increase completion of industry recognized credentials and dual credit courses that lead directly to employment or postsecondary study.
6. (6) Coordinate the performance of its duties under this chapter with the Indiana works councils established by IC 20-19-6-4 .

7. (b) In performing its duties, the council shall obtain input from the following:

   1. (1) Indiana employers and employer organizations.
   2. (2) Public and private institutions of higher education.
   3. (3) Regional and local economic development organizations.
   4. (4) Indiana labor organizations.
   5. (5) Individuals with expertise in career and technical education.
   6. (6) Military and veterans organizations.
   7. (7) Organizations representing women, African-Americans, Latinos, and other significant minority populations and having an interest in issues of particular concern to these populations.
   8. (8) Individuals and organizations with expertise in the logistics industry.
   9. (9) Any other person or organization that a majority of the voting members of the council determines has information that is important for the council to consider.

Sec. 4. (a) The council shall do all of the following:

As added by P.L.60-2013, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.2-2014, SEC.101; P.L.48-2014, SEC.1; P.L.167-2014, SEC.10; P.L.69-2015, SEC.54; P.L.213-2015, SEC.243; P.L.149-2016, SEC.66; P.L.141-2016, SEC.18; P.L.178-2016, SEC.27.