17:3138.4

Title 17. Education

Chapter 24. Board of Regents

Part I. General Provisions

17:3138.4 Workforce and Innovation for a Stronger Economy Strategic Planning Council

A. (1) A Workforce and Innovation for a Stronger Economy Strategic Planning Council, to be referred to as the “WISE Council”, shall be established as an independent subcommittee of the Board of Regents and shall be comprised of the president-chancellor of Louisiana State University, the president of the Southern University System, the president of the University of Louisiana System, the president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, the commissioner of higher education, the secretary of the Department of Economic Development, the secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, and the chairman of the Workforce Investment Council, or their successors.

(2) The WISE Council shall prepare a statewide workforce demand and gap analysis which shall include:

(a) Statewide and regional degree and certificate production and research priorities based on an analysis of credential completion at all Louisiana postsecondary education institutions and workforce demand.

(b) A prioritization of high-demand degree and certificate production based on data provided by the Department of Economic Development and the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

(3) The WISE Council and the Board of Regents shall review and approve the statewide workforce demand and gap analysis and research priorities.

(4) The WISE Council shall review and approve implementation plans submitted by institutions. The implementation plans shall include at a minimum a plan for expenditure of monies and outcomes expected.

(5) The system presidents shall report annually to the WISE Council on progress towards degree and certificate and research priorities in accordance with the implementation plans.

B. The statewide workforce demand and gap analysis, including any revisions to the analysis, and implementation plans shall be posted on the Board of Regents’ website.

C. The WISE Council may create policies and procedures for its own management but shall meet no less than two times per year.

D. The Board of Regents, on behalf of postsecondary education, shall provide annual reporting to the Senate Committee on Education, the Senate Committee on Finance, the House Committee on Education, and the House Committee on Appropriations. Such reports shall include the statewide workforce demand and gap analysis, including any revisions to the analysis, and implementation plans.

E. All actions of the WISE Council and the implementation of this Section shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Regents.

Added by Acts 2014, No. 803, § 1, eff. June 19, 2014. Amended by Acts 2018, No. 612, § 5, eff. July 1, 2020.