A bill for an act relating to career education, including by modifying provisions related to career academies, the collective statewide articulation agreement between community colleges and the state board of regents, the district-to-community college sharing or concurrent enrollment program, and individual career and academic plans.

This bill (SSB 3049) updates Iowa's career education framework to better align high school programs with workforce needs. It requires the state workforce board to create a statewide list of high-demand jobs, while allowing community colleges to add up to five regional high-demand job listings for local program planning. The bill modifies career academy requirements to ensure they include articulated postsecondary coursework, improves credit transfer between community colleges and four-year institutions for career programs, and expands funding for high school students (grades 9-12) to take college-level classes through concurrent enrollment. These changes directly affect high school students, community colleges, school districts, and the state workforce development board by strengthening career pathways and college credit access.