(1) (a) There is created the position of postsecondary and work force readiness statewide coordinator to work under the direction of the state work forcedevelopment council. The statewide coordinator works with and helps to coordinate the efforts of local education providers, businesses, industry, area technical colleges, community colleges, apprenticeship programs, the department of education, the work force development council, the career and technical education division within the Colorado community college system, the department of higher education, college preparation programs, and other appropriate entities to raise the level of postsecondary and work force readiness that Colorado high school graduates achieve, especially with regard to readiness upon high school graduation for skilled career positions in business and industry.

(b) The executive committee of the state work force development council shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the commissioner of education as necessary to enable the statewide coordinator to collaborate with the office of postsecondary readiness and other appropriate offices and divisions within the department of education in implementing initiatives to increase the level of postsecondary and work force readiness that high school graduates achieve.

(2) (a) The statewide coordinator shall assist local education providers in:

(I) Developing and implementing initiatives to increase the level of postsecondary and work force readiness that high school graduates achieve, which may include but need not be limited to specialized, industry-based curricula and programs; apprenticeship programs; and internships and externships;

(II) Implementing concurrent enrollment programs as provided in article 35 of title 22, C.R.S., and in entering into concurrent enrollment agreements with area technical colleges, community colleges, and four-year institutions of higher education;

(III) Identifying local industry and work force needs and existing educational tools, programs, and resources to help prepare middle and high school students to meet those needs upon graduating from high school;

(IV) Working with state and federal programs that provide career and work force development opportunities for students enrolled in middle and high school and in accessing any state or federal moneys that are available to local education providers to support and implement the programs;

(V) Promoting opportunities for industry to engage in the classroom with students enrolled in grades six through twelve;

(VI) Engaging students with the manufacturing career pathway created pursuant to section 23-60-1003, C.R.S.; and

(VII) Developing partnerships with businesses, industry, unions, area technical colleges, community colleges, apprenticeship programs, and other entities to create opportunities for students to participate in educational and training programs that lead to obtaining a career entry-level credential.

(b) The statewide coordinator shall collaborate with the department of education, the department of higher education, and the Colorado community college system to develop and maintain a set of electronic tools and a network of statewide support to provide guidance for local education providers in providing work force readiness programs and initiatives.