The following comprise the intent of the Legislature in enacting this article:

(a) To establish community and technical college education that is well articulated with the public schools, the career and technical education centers and other state institutions of higher education; that encourages traditional and nontraditional students and adult learners to pursue a lifetime of learning; that serves as an instrument of economic development; and that has the independence and flexibility to respond quickly to changing needs of citizens and employers in the state;

(b) To establish community and technical college/career and technical education consortia districts for each of the community and technical colleges in order to ensure that the full range of community and technical college education programs and services is provided in all areas of the state, including the implementation of seamless programs of study as exemplified by West Virginia EDGE, established in article thirteen, chapter eighteen of this code and the Collaborative Degree Completion Program, established in article three-b of this chapter;

(c) To define the full range of programs and services that each community and technical college has the responsibility to provide; and

(d) To establish other policies and procedures necessary to ensure that the needs of West Virginia, its people and its businesses are met for the programs and services that can be provided through a comprehensive system of community and technical colleges.