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## § 22.1-204.3 – Virginia Student Training Employment Pipeline for U.S. Procurement (STEP UP) Program established

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The Department, in collaboration with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, shall establish and administer the Virginia Student Training Employment Pipeline for U.S. Procurement (STEP UP) Program (the Program) for the purpose of facilitating opportunities for any student enrolled in the eleventh or twelfth grade at a public high school in the Commonwealth or enrolled at a comprehensive community college or historically black college or university in the Commonwealth to enter into an agreement with an entity located in the relevant local school division or region that has a procurement contract with the federal government whereby such entity agrees to provide assistance to the student to obtain, prior to graduation, any federal security clearance at the public trust or national security level and any other education, training, or credential that is necessary for the student to be prepared for employment with such entity upon graduation in exchange for a commitment from the student to accept and remain in such an employment position for an agreed-upon period of time after graduation. The Department, in consultation with the Virginia Community College System and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, shall establish such rules, policies, processes, and procedures as it deems necessary for the proper administration of the Program, including those relating to the facilitation of participation in the Program by qualifying students and entities.