A cooperative initiative is established within the Office of the Governor to create Maine industry partnerships pursuant to this chapter. The Industry Partnership Assistance Collaborative is also established in the Office of the Governor and administered by the Commissioner of Labor and consists of representatives from the Department of Labor, the Department of Education, the Department of Economic and Community Development, the University of Maine System and the Maine Community College System. An industry partnership is led by representatives from business and industry with assistance from the Industry Partnership Assistance Collaborative. [PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. FFFFF, §1 (NEW).]

The purpose of the industry partnership cooperative initiative is to ensure that employees in this State are directed toward and trained in the high-skill, high-demand, livable-wage jobs of the 21st century economy. Industry partnerships shall align education and training programs with industry needs to produce readily employable workers and bring employers together in a collaborative effort to improve the competitiveness of individual businesses, industry and the State’s economy. Industry partnerships shall provide the foundation for the State’s demand-driven workforce strategy designed to meet the workforce needs of businesses, the career goals and training needs of workers and the economic development objectives of this State. [PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. FFFFF, §1 (NEW).]

The Department of Labor may convene meetings of and coordinate the Industry Partnership Assistance Collaborative, but each member is responsible for that member’s contributions to and support of industry partnerships, including financial resources. Business and industry leaders engaging the Industry Partnership Assistance Collaborative shall coordinate their efforts through the Department of Labor but may use any appropriate Industry Partnership Assistance Collaborative member as their managing partner. [PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. FFFFF, §1 (NEW).]