(a) The Regional Workforce Development Councils are hereby established as an appointed group of state business and industry senior managers. The Regional Workforce Development Councils shall be appointed from the seven regions. The Deputy Secretary of the Workforce Development Division of the Department of Commerce and the Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System shall jointly promulgate rules related to the establishment and governance of these councils. The Deputy Secretary of the Workforce Development Division of the Department of Commerce shall follow the operating guidelines previously adopted by the Workforce Development Division of the Alabama Community College System (WDD/ACCS). The Regional Workforce Development Councils shall provide a direct link to the workforce needs of business and industry at the local level. The councils shall be business-driven and business-led and work with their member counties and shall develop a regional strategic plan and comprehensive workforce development system that supports local economic and job development activities. At least 75 percent of the members of each regional council shall be employed by business and industry.
(b) The Regional Workforce Development Councils shall make funding recommendations for grant applications submitted, based on the documented needs of the region as identified in their strategic plans.
(c) Each council shall meet at least quarterly, but may meet more frequently upon the call of the chair. Members of each council may participate in a meeting of the council by means of conference telephone, video conference, or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting may hear each other at the same time. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting for all purposes, including the establishment of a quorum.
(d) The objectives of the Regional Workforce Development Councils are to:
(1) Promote a workforce development system in the region through the development of communication strategies among agencies and by advancing initiatives that support the efficient and effective use of resources.
(2) Assess current and future workforce needs of employers in the region. Establish a strategic plan to meet capacity and skill development and training needs in the region and ensure that the investment of public workforce development funds are addressing priority needs in the region.
(3) Partner with workforce development service providers, including the two-year colleges, or other workforce development regions in planning and developing actions to address specific workforce development priorities.
(4) Serve as a co-applicant for workforce development funds requested through the WDD/ACCS.
(5) Monitor effectiveness of state-funded and federally funded training projects in the region and the impact on overall workforce and economic development.
(6) Assist in examining the service delivery structure and coordination among entities providing workforce development services in the region.
(7) Expand the resource base available for workforce development in the region.
(8) Coordinate planning with economic developers and elected officials to ensure that workforce development strategies support economic development goals in the region.
(9) Serve as an advocate for high quality workforce development activities in the region.
(10) Assist the WDD/ACCS in establishing practices that ensure high quality training and services are provided in the region. The Regional Workforce Development Councils will utilize the WDD/ACCS as the provider of high quality training and services, unless otherwise restricted by law, rule, or regulation.