(1) (a) (I) There is established in the department the skilled worker outreach, recruitment, and key training grant program, also referred to as the "WORK grant program". The purpose of the WORK grant program is to increase the state's skilled work force by awarding matching grants to eligible applicants to:

(A) Engage in outreach and recruiting efforts to increase enrollment in and completion of skilled worker training programs and, by partnering with business and industry, to determine current, future, and critical work force needs;

(B) Provide skilled worker training; or

(C) Both engage in outreach and recruiting and provide skilled worker training.

(II) Eligible applicants awarded matching grants shall not use the grant money for tuition subsidies or to reduce tuition for a skilled worker training program.

(b)

(I) The department shall administer the grant program by accepting and processing matching grant applications submitted pursuant to this section, and the grant review committee shall review and make recommendations for awarding matching grants. The department shall develop application guidelines, establish deadlines for the grant program, and develop an expedited application process in accordance with subsection (1)(d) of this section.

(II) To assist with implementation of the grant program, the department shall assess current and future work force needs and coordinate skilled worker training and education programs throughout the state and Colorado's key industries, as identified in the current economic development blueprint produced by the office of economic development and the annual Colorado talent report. The coordination must include:

(A) Identifying current, future, and critical work force needs;

(B) Partnering with industry associations and businesses to assess and determine their work force needs; and

(C) Coordinating with skilled worker training program providers on skill sets being developed and the quality of applicants being trained.

(c) A matching grant awarded under the WORK grant program may extend past one year.

(d) Notwithstanding the requirements of the "Procurement Code", articles 101 to 112 of title 24, the department shall use an expedited procedure for accepting and reviewing applications from eligible applicants.

(2) The department shall start accepting grant applications for matching grants by January 1 of each year; shall award grants pursuant to section 8-83-305 within ninety days, but no later than the April 1 following the application submittal deadline; and shall issue grant awards to recipients within forty-five days after notifying the award recipients of the grant award.

(3) (a) An eligible applicant may apply for a matching grant from the grant program based on the guidelines and deadlines established by the department pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section.

(b) To be considered for a matching grant, an eligible applicant with an existing skilled worker training program shall include, at a minimum, the following information in its application, if relevant to the purposes for which the matching grant is sought:

(I) A description of how the matching grant will be used to recruit participants to and provide outreach for its skilled worker training program;

(II) A description of the skilled worker training program it offers, including the number of years it has been in operation, the location of the program, and the particular skills taught;

(III) Past, current, and projected enrollment in the skilled worker training program and estimated increases in enrollment anticipated if the eligible applicant is awarded a matching grant;

(IV) A comparison of the number of participants who enroll in its skilled worker training program and the number of participants who complete the program over a five-year period, if available;

(V) Specific industry needs or gaps in the work force that the skilled worker training program addresses;

(VI) Demonstration of partnerships with industry members, including those where program participants have the opportunity to earn income or credit hours;

(VII) Costs to operate the skilled worker training program;

(VIII) Existing resources that the eligible applicant has invested in recruiting, outreach, and funding of its skilled worker training program and resources the eligible applicant will commit in matching dollars if a grant is awarded; and

(IX) Any other information the department requires.

(c) To be considered for a matching grant, an eligible applicant that is planning to offer a skilled worker training program shall include, at a minimum, the following information in its application, if relevant to the purposes for which the grant is sought:

(I) A description of how the matching grant will be used to recruit participants to and provide an outreach plan for its proposed skilled worker training program;

(II) A description of the skilled worker training program it plans to offer, including the location of the program and the particular skills to be taught;

(III) Projected enrollment in the skilled worker training program;

(IV) Specific industry needs or gaps in the work force that the planned skilled worker training program will address;

(V) A description of intended partnerships with industry members, including those where program participants will have the opportunity to earn income or credit hours;

(VI) Anticipated costs to operate the skilled worker training program;

(VII) Resources that the eligible applicant will commit in matching dollars if a grant is awarded; and

(VIII) Any other information the department requires.

(4) Upon receipt of an application that satisfies the requirements of subsection (3) of this section, the department shall send the application to the grant review committee for its consideration in accordance with section 8-83-305.

(5) The department shall disburse all of the moneys in the fund that are approved for a matching grant pursuant to section 8-83-305 to the eligible applicants selected in accordance with said section.