(a) Local and regional boards of education, the Technical Education and Career System, postsecondary institutions and regional educational service centers, may (1) in consultation with regional workforce development boards established pursuant to § 31-3k, local employers, labor organizations and community-based organizations establish career pathway programs leading to a Connecticut career certificate in accordance with this section, and (2) enroll students in such programs based on entry criteria determined by the establishing agency. Such programs shall be approved by the Commissioner of Education and the Labor Commissioner. Applications for program approval shall be submitted to the Commissioner of Education in such form and at such time as the commissioner prescribes. All programs leading to a Connecticut career certificate shall provide equal access for all students and necessary accommodations and support for students with disabilities.

(b) Programs established pursuant to this section may be offered for one or more years and shall include:

(1) Not less than eighty hours during any year of school-based instruction which focuses on the academic, technical and employability skills outlined in the skill standards established pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, workplace safety awareness and instruction in the history of the American economy and the role of labor, business and industry;

(2) Work-based instruction which includes worksite experience, including all major activities related to the career cluster. Such worksite experience shall: (A) Be paid, except as provided in subsection (c) of § 10-20b, (B) include a planned program of job training and work experiences, including training related to preemployment and employment skills to be mastered at progressively higher levels, that are coordinated with school-based instruction, (C) include instruction, to the extent practicable, in all aspects of the industry, (D) relate to the academic, technical and employability skills outlined in the skill standards established pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, (E) include, but not be limited to, on-the-job training, internships, community service and field trips, (F) be conducted in accordance with an individualized written training and mentoring plan, agreed to by the student, his parent or guardian, if the student is under eighteen years of age, the principal of the school or the chief executive officer of the agency operating the program in which the student is enrolled, or the designee of such principal or chief executive officer, and the employer, and (G) be in conformance with the requirements of § 10-20d; and

(3) Activities that ensure coordination between school-based instruction and work-based instruction, including, but not limited to, (A) career awareness and exploration opportunities, and (B) information and guidance concerning transition to postsecondary education.

(c) For purposes of this section, “career cluster” means a range of occupations which share a set of skills and knowledge organized under the federal career clusters endorsed by the Office of Vocational and Adult Education under the United States Department of Education. Such skills and knowledge include (1) academic and technical skills related to the type of employment, and (2) general employability skills. The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with other state, regional and local agencies, business and industry and labor organizations, shall maintain a list of federally recognized career clusters and skill standards for each such career cluster, along with the projected occupation growth area clusters within the state identified by labor market projections provided by the Labor Department.