(a) Recognizing the tremendous potential represented by the young people attending Arkansas institutions of higher education, and in due consideration of the great interest of the people of the State of Arkansas in retaining graduates of Arkansas institutions of higher education within the state, with the further conviction that it is in the best interest of all citizens of the state to recruit and retain qualified college graduates within the State of Arkansas government system, and recognizing the great contribution to the educational process that learning experiences within state government can provide, the General Assembly finds and declares that an affirmative effort to provide college students with employment opportunities within state government is important to the welfare and security of this state and nation and, consequently, is an important public service.

(b) The General Assembly further finds and declares that cooperative education is having, and will continue to have, a major impact on this state in meeting the socially and economically desirable goals of educating and retaining young people within this state.

(c) It is, therefore, the policy of the General Assembly and the purpose of this subchapter to establish a cooperative education program within the State of Arkansas government system to attract and retain qualified personnel from Arkansas institutions of higher education while at the same time contributing to the educational process through learning opportunities within state government.