Gov. Brad Little issued an executive order Wednesday creating a council that will implement Workforce Pell, a new federal program that subsidizes training in high-demand career fields. 

Last year, President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act extended eligibility for Pell Grants — longstanding federal subsidies helping poor students obtain undergraduate college degrees — to include short-term certificate programs. The U.S. Department of Education asked governors to choose which high-demand career fields will qualify in their states when the grants become available July 1. 

On Wednesday, Little’s executive order created a four-member board that will implement Workforce Pell in Idaho. According to the executive order, the State Workforce Pell Coordinating Council (SWPCC) will recommend eligibility criteria to the Workforce Development Council, the state agency that administers Idaho Launch and reports to the governor. 

In a news release, Little said Idaho has become a “national leader in workforce development through innovative programs like Idaho Launch.” The state scholarship program offers high school graduates $8,000 to pursue a college degree or certificate in Idaho. 

“The Workforce Pell Grant program builds on the success of Idaho Launch by creating even more pathways for Idahoans to earn valuable credentials, fill good-paying jobs and strengthen our economy,” Little said in the news release. “By acting now, we can ensure Idaho is ready to maximize this new opportunity for students, employers and communities across our state.”

SWPCC will also be responsible for maintaining a Workforce Pell program registry while overseeing performance of approved programs, coordinating federal compliance and issuing guidance.  

According to guidelines from the U.S. Department of Education, Workforce Pell-eligible programs must meet time and length requirements, completion percentages and employment metrics, while proving that “they deliver a real return on investment.” For instance, at least 70% of program graduates must be hired in a related field within 180 days of receiving a certification, according to the federal rules.

SWPCC members will include: 

• The administrator of the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education, or a designee, who will serve as council co-chair
• The executive director of the Idaho Workforce Development Council, or a designee, who will also serve as council co-chair
• The executive director of the Office of the State Board of Education, or a designee, who will serve as a voting member of the council
• A staff member of the governor’s office, who will serve as a voting member of the council

The council can also invite, as non-voting members, representatives from the Idaho Department of Labor, colleges and universities, and “other data liaisons” to provide technical assistance, the executive order said.