(a) The board may authorize grants not to exceed $50,000 each through an expedited grant approval process to:

1. (1) eligible employers to provide training programs for up to 50 workers; or

2. (2) a public or private institution of higher education to:

   1. (i) convert an existing curriculum for distance learning through interactive television or other communication methods; or
   2. (ii) enable a training program to be offered when it would otherwise be canceled due to an enrollment shortfall of one or two students when the program is offered in a health-related field with a documented worker shortage and is part of a training program not exceeding two years in length.