Idaho § 72-1201 - CREATION OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL - COMPOSITION - APPOINTMENT - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

§ 72-1201. CREATION OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL - COMPOSITION - APPOINTMENT - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

(1) There is hereby established in the executive office of the governor the workforce development council. Members of the council and an executive director shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor. The governor shall prescribe the structure, duties, and functions of the council, which shall include but not be limited to the following:

(a) To serve as the state’s coordinating body on matters related to workforce development policy and programs by engaging employer partners in identifying workforce gaps and talent development strategies;

(b) To develop and provide oversight of procedures, criteria, and performance measures for the workforce development training fund established under section 72-1203 , Idaho Code;

(c) To serve as the state workforce development board in accordance with section 101 of the federal workforce innovation and opportunity act, 29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq., as amended, and federal regulations promulgated thereunder; and

(d) Until June 30, 2036, to coordinate and promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, skills training, and workforce alignment across education, industry, and government, including:

(i) To support statewide STEM initiatives, including the integration of project-based and work-based learning opportunities;

(ii) To provide for professional development aligned with career readiness and industry needs; and

(iii) To collaborate with public and private entities to support STEM education through funding, in-kind contributions, and programmatic partnerships in accordance with the provisions of subsection (2) of this section.

(2) Entities that provide contributions for special projects permitted in subsection (1)(d)(iii) of this section shall provide no less than fifty percent (50%) of funding for projects approved by the council. Contributions such as materials, personnel, supplies, physical facilities, or services may be considered as all or part of the funding provided by the entity.

(3) The council may appoint special committees in connection with this section.

(4) The council may apply for and accept grants and contributions of funds from any public or private source.

(5) The executive director is authorized to hire and supervise support staff consistent with the mission and priorities of the council. The executive director shall be a nonclassified employee exempt from the provisions of chapter 53, title 67 , Idaho Code. Support staff shall be classified employees under the provisions of chapter 53, title 67 , Idaho Code.

(6) Members of the council and any special committees who are not state employees shall be compensated for actual and necessary expenses as provided by section 59-509 (b), Idaho Code.

(7) The council shall report annually to the governor and the joint finance-appropriations committee on commitments and expenditures made from the general fund, along with performance metrics, relating to the provisions of subsection (1)(d) of this section for the preceding fiscal year and the results of the activities, including:

(a) The number of educators and out-of-school professionals who received professional development in the areas of STEM, including educator externships funded by the council;

(b) The number of participants in STEM events supported by the council and the results of surveys conducted before such events and after such events; and

(c) The alignment of STEM courses and postsecondary programs to the demand for STEM skills and careers in Idaho.

[72-1201, added 2018, ch. 47, sec. 1, p. 119; am. 2026, ch. 184, sec. 9, p. 833.]