261—108.2 (82GA,HF829) Purpose. The purpose of the targeted industries student competition fund is to provide financial assistance to support sponsorships of student competitions in the targeted industries in order to increase the students’ knowledge of the targeted industries and job opportunities in the targeted industries and to engage students, educators and parents in exploring careers in those industries. The goals of the sponsorships are to showcase educational and career opportunities in the targeted industries area to students; to increase the number of students enrolled in targeted industries technical programs and majors; and to connect students with business mentors for future career planning, internship and employment opportunities. The long-term goal of the fund is to encourage existing student competitions in the targeted industries to collaborate and implement a single, high-profile statewide student competition that features several student events and that highlights student achievements and career applicability.