LAC 28:IV.2215. Responsibilities of the Louisiana Workforce Commission

A. Advisory Council 1. The Louisiana Workforce Commission shall convene an Advisory Council to perform the following functions for the purpose of identifying qualified programs of study for the M.J. Foster Promise Program: a. identify not more than five industry sectors and that lead to high demand, high wage jobs that are aligned to state workforce priorities; b. review postsecondary education requirements of each job identified; c. identify programs of study at the associate level and below that lead to the identified jobs in each industry sector; d. convene the Advisory Council at least once each year for program updates; e. review the state’s return on investment in awards made at least once every three years. 2. Identification of industry sectors, high demand high wage jobs, and required degrees and credentials of the identified jobs shall, at a minimum, be based upon the following: a. a review of the most current statewide and regional industry and occupational forecasts approved by the Occupational Forecasting Conference and the Louisiana Workforce Investment Council; b. a review of nationally recognized databases for industry and occupational projections; and c. input from the regional development organizations in each region. 3. The advisory council shall identify and assist in the establishment of mechanisms to support award recipients to complete a qualified program and to gain employment in the job for which training was received. Such mechanisms shall include the provision of college academic and career counseling and employer partnerships for developing mentorship programs and work-based learning experiences. 4. The advisory council shall identify and compile a list of all federal and state programs, including childcare supplements and other aid or services, that may provide additional support to award recipients to complete their postsecondary education, provide a copy to the Louisiana Board of Regents and to the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance, which shall post such listing on its website. 5. In addition to selecting qualified programs of study for the M.J. Foster Promise Program, the Advisory Council shall identify eligible programs of study for TOPS Tech and TOPS Tech Early Start. The Council shall consider the qualified programs of study for the M.J. Foster Promise Program when identifying eligible programs for TOPS Tech and TOPS Tech Early Start, but the programs of study for the three scholarship programs are not required to be identical. 6. The advisory council shall consist of the following members: a. the chancellor of Louisiana State University at Eunice. b. the chancellor of Southern University at Shreveport. c. the president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. d. the commissioner of higher education. e. the state superintendent of education. f. the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Economic Development. g. the secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission. h. the chairman of the Louisiana Workforce Investment Council. i. the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Revenue. 7. The advisory council shall meet by January 1, 2022, and at least once every three years thereafter to review the workforce priorities of the state and each of its workforce regions and designate qualified programs of study.