Preference for admission to career training.

(1) It is the intent of the Legislature through enactment of this section to assist returning veterans of the Southeast Asian conflict to train themselves for a civilian future. Although the provisions of this section apply only to state-supported career center facilities and programs, it is the further intent of the Legislature to encourage privately supported career centers to join with the state in assisting our returning veterans by providing preferences for them in admission procedures and standards.

(2) In determining order of admission or acceptance for students, every career center or career program that receives state funding or support shall give preference as provided in subsection (3) to a person who served in the Armed Forces of the United States at any time during the Vietnam War, as defined in s. 1.01(14), and who has been separated therefrom under honorable conditions, if such person’s enrollment is directly related to his or her present employment or to his or her securing employment.

(3) The name of each person qualified for preference under the provisions of subsection (2) shall be placed on the waiting list for acceptance or admission, if any, in a position which would reflect the same order of preference as if the person had been placed on the waiting list 36 months previously or on the day he or she entered the Armed Forces of the United States, whichever is later.