(a)

(1) In order to carry out the intent expressed in § 49-11-401 and to provide a unified, overall program of vocational education and technical training, including the vocational education training program, title 8 of the National Defense Education Act of 1958 (P.L. 85-864, 72 Stat. 1597) program, the Area Redevelopment Act of 1961 (P.L. 87-27, 75 Stat. 47) program, and the Manpower Development and Training Act of 1962 (P.L. 87-415, 76 Stat. 23) program, the board of regents is authorized and directed to take such steps and to do whatever it deems necessary, including the development of a comprehensive plan, to carry out the intent of the general assembly as stated in § 49-11-401; and particularly, the board of regents is authorized and directed to locate, establish, construct and operate a statewide system of state colleges of applied technology in the manner provided in this section.

(2) The state colleges of applied technology shall be so situated that ultimately all parts of the state shall be in a reasonable distance of a state college of applied technology or colleges. The state colleges of applied technology shall provide occupational training of less than university or community college grade for post high school youth, school dropouts, middle school youth participating in career and technical education pursuant to part 1 of this chapter, high school youth, adults needing retraining, handicapped, older workers, apprentices, other employed learners and employed workers.

(3) A state college of applied technology shall be established by the board of regents in a location or locations that it deems necessary to provide technical training, and the state college of applied technology shall function as a two-year terminal training college for the purpose of:

(A) Training engineering technicians for industry; and

(B) Preparing the student to earn a living as a technician or technical worker in the field of production, distribution or service.

(4) The board of regents may, in its discretion, take any appropriate action, enter into any agreements and do whatever it deems necessary to establish foundations for the state colleges of applied technology.

(b)

(1) It is the intent of the general assembly that the board of regents will take the necessary steps to restructure the board and staff to carry out chapter 181 of the Public Acts of 1983, including the creation of a senior level staff position for vocational-technical education and additional staff that the chancellor deems necessary.

(2) The senior level staff member shall be knowledgeable in the field of vocational-technical education and the heads of the state colleges of applied technology will report directly to this board staff member.

(c)

(1) Employees of institutions and state colleges of applied technology established pursuant to this part on July 1, 1983, shall become employees of the board of regents.

(2) Employees of institutions and state colleges of applied technology established pursuant to this part who have achieved rank and tenure under policies of the state board of education prior to July 1, 1983, and who continue as employees of the board of regents without a break in service shall retain that rank and tenure as employees of the board of regents.

(d) No state technical institute may be merged with a community college without approval by the general assembly.