WHEREAS, the Workforce Education Task Force ("Task Force") delivered in its Pathways to Prosperity Report with recommendations after more than one year of careful study, thorough analysis and extensive interviews with business leaders, education professionals and education policy leaders; and

WHEREAS, workforce education is a fundamental requirement for strong economic development and supports basic quality of life issues for all of South Carolina's citizens; and

WHEREAS, the Task Force concluded that basic reforms to our system of education must occur in order to prepare all South Carolina students for success in the workplace, to meet the workforce-skill needs of South Carolina's employers, and to be prepared for the challenges of the 21st century; and

WHEREAS, implementing the Task Force's nine recommendations require creating a Governor's Workforce Education Council to coordinate workforce education development, and provide oversight for compliance with the South Carolina School-to-Work Transition Act of 1994.

NOW, THEREFORE, I do hereby establish the Governor's Workforce Education Interim Planning Committee ("Committee") that shall have the following responsibilities for implementing the following recommendations:

1. The Committee will act as a "bridge" between the existing South Carolina School-to-Work Advisory Council and the proposed Governor's Workforce Education Council ("Council"), and will discharge the following responsibilities until the Council becomes operational.

2. The Committee will review each of the Workforce Education Task Force recommendations and advise the Governor and the General Assembly on the priorities, sequence, policy issues, and specific plans for implementation.

3. The Committee will provide guidance and leadership to any staff retained to assist with implementing these recommendations until the Council becomes fully operational.

4. The Committee will develop an analysis of the cost and potential source of funding each recommendation.

5. The Committee will develop communication plans and programs to increase awareness of issues and needs of an education system that prepares all students to succeed in a global, technology-orientated economy.

6. The Committee will work in harmony with the existing South Carolina School-to-Work Advisory Council during this transition period.

7. The Committee will relinquish all duties and responsibilities upon the establishment of the Governor's Workforce Education Council.

This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THIS 19th DAY OF OCTOBER, 2001.

JIM HODGES
Governor

Last Updated: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 10:33 A.M.