Legislation that will give the New College Institute (NCI) board more power to help establish new academic programs has cleared the General Assembly.
Under Senate Bill 227, NCI must seek opportunities to collaborate with area community colleges to provide specialized, noncredit workforce training programs to meet industries’ needs. However, if such colleges cannot meet those needs, the board can seek to collaborate with other education providers, or either public or private organizations, that can provide the training.
State Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County and chairman of NCI’s board, introduced the legislation, approved by the Senate in a 39-1 vote on Jan. 16. The House of Delegates approved it 95-2 on Tuesday.
