28B.12.055 - Work-study opportunity grant for high-demand occupations.

Work-study opportunity grant for high-demand occupations.

(1) Within existing resources, the higher education coordinating board shall establish the work-study opportunity grant for high-demand occupations, a competitive grant program to encourage job placements in high-demand fields. The board shall award grants to eligible institutions of higher education that have developed a partnership with a proximate organization willing to host work-study placements. Partner organizations may be nonprofit organizations, for-profit firms, or public agencies. Eligible institutions of higher education must verify that all job placements will last for a minimum of one academic quarter or one academic semester, depending on the system used by the eligible institution of higher education.

     (2) The board may adopt rules to identify high-demand fields for purposes of this section. The legislature recognizes that the high-demand fields identified by the board may differ in different regions of the state.

     (3) The board may award grants to eligible institutions of higher education that cover both student wages and program administration.

     (4) The board shall develop performance benchmarks regarding program success including, but not limited to, the number of students served, the amount of employer contributions, and the number of participating high-demand employers.

[2009 c 215 § 12.]

Notes: Findings -- Intent -- Effective date -- 2009 c 215: See notes following RCW 28B.92.030.