text:
Chapter 116L
CHAPTER 116L. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
116L.001 [Renumbered 15.001]
JOB SKILLS PARTNERSHIP
116L.01 DEFINITIONS.
116L.02 JOB SKILLS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.
116L.03 BOARD.
116L.04 PARTNERSHIP POWER.
116L.05 FUNDING.
116L.06 [Repealed, 2014 c 271 art 1 s 3]
116L.12 Subdivisions renumbered, repealed, or no longer in effect
116L.146 EXPEDITED GRANT PROCESS.
116L.16 [Repealed, 2009 c 78 art 2 s 44]
116L.17 STATE DISLOCATED WORKER PROGRAM.
116L.18 SPECIAL INCUMBENT WORKER TRAINING GRANTS.
116L.191 WORKFORCE CENTER; CREDENTIAL ASSISTANCE.
116L.20 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FUND.
116L.30 [Renumbered 299A.73]
YOUTH EMPLOYMENT; YOUTHBUILD
116L.361 DEFINITIONS.
116L.362 GRANTS.
116L.3625 ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.
116L.363 [Repealed, 2014 c 271 art 1 s 3; 2014 c 286 art 5 s 5]
116L.364 PROGRAM PURPOSE AND DESIGN.
116L.365 HOUSING FOR HOMELESS.
116L.366 REQUIREMENTS OF ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING GRANTS.
JOB TRAINING GRANTS
116L.41 COMMISSIONER'S DUTIES AND POWERS; AGREEMENTS.
116L.42 JOBS TRAINING GRANTS.
MINNESOTA YOUTH PROGRAM
116L.561 MINNESOTA YOUTH PROGRAM.
116L.562 YOUTH-AT-WORK GRANT PROGRAM.
116L.60 PURPOSE.
116L.62 DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF STATE MONEY.
116L.63 CRITERIA FOR DISTRIBUTION OF MONEY.
116L.64 MONEY DISTRIBUTION.
116L.66 FIRST SOURCE AGREEMENTS.
116L.665 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
116L.666 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREAS.
116L.667 RURAL CAREER COUNSELING COORDINATORS.
116L.86 EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAMS.
116L.871 [Repealed, 2014 c 271 art 1 s 3]
116L.881 INDIAN TRIBE PLANS.
116L.96 DISPLACED HOMEMAKER PROGRAMS.
116L.976 EARLY WARNING SYSTEM.
116L.98 WORKFORCE PROGRAM OUTCOMES.
WOMEN'S ECONOMIC SECURITY
116L.99 WOMEN AND HIGH-WAGE, HIGH-DEMAND, NONTRADITIONAL JOBS GRANT PROGRAM.
For the purposes of sections 116L.01 to 116L.17, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them.
Subd. 2.Partnership.
"Partnership" means the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership created by section 116L.02.
"Board" means the partnership board created by section 116L.03.
Subd. 4.Workforce development intermediaries.
"Workforce development intermediaries" means public, private, or nonprofit entities that provide employment services to low-income individuals and have a demonstrated track record bringing together employers and workers, private and public funding streams, and other stakeholders to implement pathways to career advancement for low-income individuals. Entities may include, but are not limited to, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, or the administrative entity of a local workforce development area.
1983 c 334 s 1,7; 1987 c 384 art 13 s 27; 1987 c 386 art 10 s 8; 1987 c 401 s 36; 1989 c 335 art 1 s 270; 2001 c 7 s 30; 2004 c 257 s 1; 2007 c 135 art 2 s 12; 2016 c 129 s 2
(a) The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership program is created to act as a catalyst to bring together employers with specific training needs with educational or other nonprofit institutions which can design programs to fill those needs. The partnership shall work closely with employers to prepare, train and place prospective or incumbent workers in identifiable positions as well as assisting educational or other nonprofit institutions in developing training programs that coincide with current and future employer requirements. The partnership shall provide grants to educational or other nonprofit institutions for the purpose of training workers. A participating business must match the grant-in-aid made by the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership. The match may be in the form of funding, equipment, or faculty.
(b) The partnership program is authorized to use funds to pay for training for individuals who have incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty line. The board may grant funds to eligible recipients to pay for board-certified training. Eligible recipients of grants may include public, private, or nonprofit entities that provide employment services to low-income individuals.
1983 c 334 s 2,7; 1987 c 384 art 3 s 27; 1987 c 386 art 10 s 1,8; 1987 c 401 s 36; 1989 c 335 art 1 s 164,270; 1999 c 245 art 10 s 2; 2001 c 181 s 1; 2003 c 128 art 13 s 28; 2014 c 271 art 2 s 4
Subdivision 1.Members.
The partnership shall be governed by a board of 12 directors.
Subd. 2.Appointment.
The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board consists of: seven members appointed by the governor, the commissioner of employment and economic development, the chancellor, or the chancellor's designee, of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the president, or the president's designee, of the University of Minnesota, and two nonlegislator members, one appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the senate Committee on Rules and Administration and one appointed by the speaker of the house. If the chancellor or the president of the university makes a designation under this subdivision, the designee must have experience in technical education. Four of the appointed members must be members of the governor's Workforce Development Board, of whom two must represent organized labor and two must represent business and industry. One of the appointed members must be a representative of a nonprofit organization that provides workforce development or job training services.
Subd. 3.Qualifications.
Members must have expertise in, and be representative of the following fields of education, job skills training, labor, business, and government.
Subd. 4.Chair.
The chair shall be appointed by the governor.
Subd. 5.Terms.
The terms of appointed members shall be for four years. No member shall serve more than two terms, and no person shall be appointed after December 31, 2001, for any term that would cause that person to serve a total of more than eight years on the board. Compensation for board members is as provided in section 15.0575, subdivision 3.
[Repealed, 1987 c 386 art 10 s 7; 1987 c 401 s 39]
Subd. 7.Offices.
The Department of Employment and Economic Development shall provide office space and staff to the Job Skills Partnership Board for the execution of its duties. The board shall hire an executive director to assist in carrying out its duties.
Subd. 8.Board meetings.
(a) If compliance with section 13D.02 is impractical, the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board may conduct a meeting of its members by telephone or other electronic means so long as the following conditions are met:
(1) all members of the board participating in the meeting, wherever their physical location, can hear one another and can hear all discussion and testimony;
(2) members of the public present at the regular meeting location of the board can hear clearly all discussion and testimony and all votes of members of the board and, if needed, receive those services required by sections 15.44 and 15.441;
(3) at least one member of the board is physically present at the regular meeting location; and
(4) all votes are conducted by roll call, so each member's vote on each issue can be identified and recorded.
(b) Each member of the board participating in a meeting by telephone or other electronic means is considered present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum and participating in all proceedings.
(c) If telephone or other electronic means is used to conduct a meeting, the board, to the extent practical, shall allow a person to monitor the meeting electronically from a remote location. The board may require the person making such a connection to pay for documented marginal costs that the board incurs as a result of the additional connection.
(d) If telephone or other electronic means is used to conduct a regular, special, or emergency meeting, the board shall provide notice of the regular meeting location, of the fact that some members may participate by telephone or other electronic means, and of the provisions of paragraph (c). The timing and method of providing notice is governed by section 13D.04.
1983 c 289 s 115 subd 1; 1983 c 334 s 3,7; 1984 c 544 s 84; 1984 c 642 s 3; 1Sp1985 c 14 art 9 s 5,75; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 312 art 1 s 26 subd 2; 1987 c 384 art 3 s 27; 1987 c 386 art 10 s 2-5,8; 1987 c 401 s 36; 1989 c 335 art 1 s 165,166,270; 1991 c 345 art 1 s 74; 1993 c 363 s 1,2; 1994 c 483 s 1; 1995 c 212 art 4 s 64; 1996 c 395 s 6,7; 1999 c 223 art 2 s 29; art 3 s 1,2; 1Sp2001 c 4 art 2 s 3; 1Sp2003 c 4 s 1; 2005 c 163 s 54; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 4 s 25; 2007 c 13 art 1 s 10; 2009 c 78 art 2 s 21; 2018 c 182 art 1 s 108
Subdivision 1.Partnership program.
(a) The partnership program may provide grants-in-aid to educational or other nonprofit educational institutions using the following guidelines:
(1) the educational or other nonprofit educational institution is a provider of training within the state in either the public or private sector;
(2) the program involves skills training that is an area of employment need; and
(3) preference will be given to educational or other nonprofit training institutions which serve economically disadvantaged people, minorities, or those who are victims of economic dislocation and to businesses located in rural areas.
(b) A single grant to any one institution shall not exceed $400,000. A portion of a grant may be used for preemployment training.
(c) Each institution must provide for the dissemination of summary results of a grant-funded project, including, but not limited to, information about curriculum and all supporting materials developed in conjunction with the grant. Results of projects developed by any Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system institution must be disseminated throughout the system.
Subd. 1a.Pathways program.
The pathways program may provide grants-in-aid for developing programs which assist in the transition of persons from welfare to work and assist individuals at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The program is to be operated by the board. The board shall consult and coordinate with program administrators at the Department of Employment and Economic Development to design and provide services for temporary assistance for needy families recipients.
Pathways grants-in-aid may be awarded to educational or other nonprofit training institutions or to workforce development intermediaries for education and training programs and services supporting education and training programs that serve eligible recipients.
Preference shall be given to projects that:
(1) provide employment with benefits paid to employees;
(2) provide employment where there are defined career paths for trainees;
(3) pilot the development of an educational pathway that can be used on a continuing basis for transitioning persons from welfare to work; and
(4) demonstrate the active participation of Department of Employment and Economic Development workforce centers, Minnesota State College and University institutions and other educational institutions, and local welfare agencies.
Pathways projects must demonstrate the active involvement and financial commitment of private business. Pathways projects must be matched with cash or in-kind contributions on at least a one-half-to-one ratio by participating private business.
A single grant to any one institution shall not exceed $400,000. A portion of a grant may be used for preemployment training.
The board may collect and disseminate information concerning areas of projected employment need. The board may also prepare and publish studies, organize conferences, and conduct special projects which will increase knowledge and communication in the areas of employment need, skills training, and education.
1983 c 334 s 4,7; 1Sp1985 c 14 art 9 s 6; 1987 c 384 art 3 s 27; 1987 c 386 art 10 s 8; 1987 c 401 s 36; 1989 c 335 art 1 s 167,270; 1997 c 200 art 1 s 58,59; 1999 c 223 art 2 s 30; 2000 c 488 art 2 s 6; 2001 c 181 s 2; 1Sp2001 c 4 art 2 s 4; 2003 c 128 art 13 s 29,30; 2004 c 206 s 52; 2006 c 281 art 4 s 6,7; 2007 c 135 art 2 s 13; 2008 c 363 art 10 s 11
Subdivision 1.Federal job training funds.
The board may use federal job training program moneys and is authorized to receive those funds.
Subd. 2.Grants, gifts.
The board may accept gifts and grants of any type from any source.
Subd. 3.Use of funds.
The Job Skills Partnership Board may use up to six percent of any funds it receives, regardless of the source, for activities authorized under section 116L.04, subdivision 2. The board may also use a portion of these funds to collect and disseminate information on the activities under section 116L.04, subdivision 2. The board must plan for the statewide dissemination of the results, curriculum, and supporting materials of these grant-funded projects.
[Repealed, 1Sp2005 c 1 art 4 s 124]
Subd. 5.Use of workforce development funds.
After March 1 of any fiscal year, the board may use workforce development funds for the purposes outlined in sections 116L.02 and 116L.04, or to provide incumbent worker training services under section 116L.18 if the following conditions have been met:
(1) the board examines relevant economic indicators, including the projected number of layoffs for the remainder of the fiscal year and the next fiscal year, evidence of declining and expanding industries, the number of initial applications for and the number of exhaustions of unemployment benefits, job vacancy data, and any additional relevant information brought to the board's attention;
(2) the board accounts for all allocations made in section 116L.17, subdivision 2;
(3) based on the past expenditures and projected revenue, the board estimates future funding needs for services under section 116L.17 for the remainder of the current fiscal year and the next fiscal year;
(4) the board determines there will be unspent funds after meeting the needs of dislocated workers in the current fiscal year and there will be sufficient revenue to meet the needs of dislocated workers in the next fiscal year; and
(5) the board reports its findings in clauses (1) to (4) to the chairs of legislative committees with jurisdiction over the workforce development fund, to the commissioners of revenue and management and budget, and to the public.
1983 c 334 s 5,7; 1987 c 384 art 3 s 27; 1987 c 386 art 10 s 8; 1987 c 401 s 36; 1989 c 335 art 1 s 270; 1993 c 363 s 3; 1Sp2001 c 4 art 2 s 5; 2004 c 257 s 2; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 4 s 26; 2008 c 363 art 10 s 12,13; 2009 c 78 art 2 s 22; 2009 c 101 art 2 s 109; 2014 c 271 art 2 s 5
[Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 9 art 6 s 8]
(a) The board may authorize grants not to exceed $50,000 each through an expedited grant approval process to:
(1) eligible employers to provide training programs for up to 50 workers; or
(2) a public or private institution of higher education to:
(i) convert an existing curriculum for distance learning through interactive television or other communication methods; or
(ii) enable a training program to be offered when it would otherwise be canceled due to an enrollment shortfall of one or two students when the program is offered in a health-related field with a documented worker shortage and is part of a training program not exceeding two years in length.
(b) The board shall develop application procedures and evaluation policies for grants made under this section.
1Sp2001 c 9 art 6 s 5; 2002 c 379 art 1 s 113; 2015 c 21 art 1 s 12
(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them in this subdivision.
(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.
(c) "Dislocated worker" means an individual who is a resident of Minnesota at the time employment ceased or was working in the state at the time employment ceased and:
(1) has been permanently separated or has received a notice of permanent separation from public or private sector employment and is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to unemployment benefits, and is unlikely to return to the previous industry or occupation;
(2) has been long-term unemployed and has limited opportunities for employment or reemployment in the same or a similar occupation in the area in which the individual resides, including older individuals who may have substantial barriers to employment by reason of age;
(3) has been terminated or has received a notice of termination of employment as a result of a plant closing or a substantial layoff at a plant, facility, or enterprise;
(4) has been self-employed, including farmers and ranchers, and is unemployed as a result of general economic conditions in the community in which the individual resides or because of natural disasters;
(5) is a veteran as defined by section 197.447, has been discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions within the last 36 months, and (i) is unemployed or (ii) is employed in a job verified to be below the skill level and earning capacity of the veteran;
(6) is an individual determined by the United States Department of Labor to be covered by trade adjustment assistance under United States Code, title 19, sections 2271 to 2331, as amended; or
(7) is a displaced homemaker. A "displaced homemaker" is an individual who has spent a substantial number of years in the home providing homemaking service and (i) has been dependent upon the financial support of another; and now due to divorce, separation, death, or disability of that person, must find employment to self support; or (ii) derived the substantial share of support from public assistance on account of dependents in the home and no longer receives such support. To be eligible under this clause, the support must have ceased while the worker resided in Minnesota.
For the purposes of this section, "dislocated worker" does not include an individual who was an employee, at the time employment ceased, of a political committee, political fund, principal campaign committee, or party unit, as those terms are used in chapter 10A, or an organization required to file with the federal elections commission.
(d) "Eligible organization" means a state or local government unit, nonprofit organization, community action agency, business organization or association, or labor organization.
(e) "Plant closing" means the announced or actual permanent shutdown of a single site of employment, or one or more facilities or operating units within a single site of employment.
(f) "Substantial layoff" means a permanent reduction in the workforce, which is not a result of a plant closing, and which results in an employment loss at a single site of employment during any 30-day period for at least 50 employees excluding those employees that work less than 20 hours per week.
Subd. 2.Grants.
The board shall make grants to workforce development areas or other eligible organizations to provide services to dislocated workers as follows:
(a) The board shall allocate funds available for the purposes of this section in its discretion to respond to substantial layoffs and plant closings.
(b) The board shall regularly allocate funds to provide services to individual dislocated workers or small groups. The initial allocation for this purpose must be 50 percent of the deposits and transfers into the workforce development fund, less any collection costs paid out of the fund and any amounts appropriated by the legislature from the workforce development fund for programs other than the state dislocated worker program.
(c) Following the initial allocation, the board may consider additional allocations to provide services to individual dislocated workers. The board's decision to allocate additional funds shall be based on relevant economic indicators including: the number of substantial layoffs to date, notices of substantial layoffs for the remainder of the fiscal year, evidence of declining industries, the number of permanently separated individuals applying for unemployment benefits by workforce development area, and the number of individuals exhausting unemployment benefits by workforce development area. The board must also consider expenditures of allocations to workforce development areas under paragraph (b) made during the first two quarters of the fiscal year and federal resources that have been or are likely to be allocated to Minnesota for the purposes of serving dislocated workers affected by substantial layoffs or plant closings; except that this sentence does not apply in fiscal year 2011.
(d) The board may, in its discretion, allocate funds carried forward from previous years under subdivision 9 for large, small, or individual layoffs.
Subd. 3.Allocation of funds.
The board, in consultation with local workforce investment boards and local elected officials, shall develop a method of distributing funds to provide services for dislocated workers who are dislocated as a result of small or individual layoffs. The method shall reflect recent trends in the number of permanently separated individuals applying for unemployment benefits in a given workforce development area. The board shall evaluate and adjust obligations quarterly, based on a similar method.
Funds granted by the board under this section may be used for any combination of the following, except as otherwise provided in this section:
(1) employment transition services such as developing readjustment plans for individuals; outreach and intake; early readjustment; job or career counseling; testing; orientation; assessment of skills and aptitudes; provision of occupational and labor market information; job placement assistance; job search; job development; prelayoff assistance; relocation assistance; programs provided in cooperation with employers or labor organizations to provide early intervention in the event of plant closings or substantial layoffs; and entrepreneurial training and business consulting;
(2) support services, including assistance to help the participant relocate to employ existing skills; out-of-area job search assistance; family care assistance, including child care; commuting assistance; emergency housing and rental assistance; counseling assistance, including personal and financial; health care; emergency health assistance; emergency financial assistance; work-related tools and clothing; and other appropriate support services that enable a person to participate in an employment and training program with the goal of reemployment;
(3) specific, short-term training to help the participant enhance current skills in a similar occupation or industry; entrepreneurial training, customized training, or on-the-job training; basic and remedial education to enhance current skills; and literacy and work-related English training for non-English speakers;
(4) long-term training in a new occupation or industry, including occupational skills training or customized training in an accredited program recognized by one or more relevant industries. Long-term training shall only be provided to dislocated workers whose skills are obsolete and who have no other transferable skills likely to result in employment at a comparable wage rate. Training shall only be provided for occupations or industries with reasonable expectations of job availability based on the service provider's thorough assessment of local labor market information where the individual currently resides or is willing to relocate. This clause shall not restrict training in personal services or other such industries; and
(5) direct training services to provide a measurable increase in the job-related skills of participating incumbent workers, including basic assessment, counseling, and preemployment training services requested by the qualifying employer.
Subd. 5.Cost limitations.
(a) Funds allocated to a grantee are subject to the following cost limitations:
(1) no more than ten percent may be allocated for administration;
(2) at least 50 percent must be allocated for training assistance as provided in subdivision 4, clause (4); and
(3) no more than 15 percent may be allocated for support services as provided in subdivision 4, clause (2).
(b) A waiver of the training assistance minimum in clause (4) may be sought, but no waiver shall allow less than 30 percent of the grant to be spent on training assistance. A waiver of the support services maximum in clause (2) may be sought, but no waiver shall allow more than 20 percent of the grant to be spent on support services. A waiver may be granted below the minimum and above the maximum otherwise allowed by this paragraph if funds other than state funds appropriated for the dislocated worker program are used to fund training assistance.
Subd. 6.Performance standards.
(a) The commissioner, in consultation with the board, shall enter into contracts with local workforce investment boards, including the allocations determined by the board in subdivision 3. Contracts shall also require local workforce investment boards to report participant data to the commissioner regularly, in order to meet the requirements of this subdivision. The commissioner shall also enter into contracts with eligible organizations involved with substantial layoffs or plant closings. These contracts shall require the eligible organizations to report participant data to the commissioner regularly, in order to meet the requirements of this subdivision.
(b) The commissioner and the board shall jointly establish performance outcome measures for all local workforce investment boards and eligible organizations involved with substantial layoffs or plant closings. The commissioner may request additional information to calculate these performance measures.
(c) The commissioner and the board, in consultation with local workforce investment boards and eligible organizations involved with substantial layoffs or plant closings, shall establish minimum standards for the performance measures described in paragraph (b).
(d) Local workforce investment boards may establish and report on additional performance outcomes based on unique features of local labor markets and other geographic differences.
(e) The commissioner shall provide a report to the legislature by March 1 of each year on the previous fiscal year's program performance using the data in paragraphs (b) and (d) and analysis of whether local workforce investment boards and eligible organizations involved with substantial layoffs or plant closings are meeting the minimum standards described in paragraph (c). The commissioner shall inform any local workforce investment board or eligible organization that does not meet minimum performance standards in a given year of their status.
Subd. 8.Administrative costs.
No more than five percent of the funds appropriated to the board for the purposes of this section may be spent by the board for its administrative costs.
Subd. 9.Carryforward.
Any funds not allocated, obligated, or expended in a fiscal year shall be available for allocation, obligation, and expenditure in the following fiscal year.
Subd. 10.Rapid response activities.
The commissioner, in cooperation with local workforce councils, shall be responsible for implementing the following rapid response activities:
(1) establishing on-site contact with employer and employee representatives within a short period of time after becoming aware of a current or projected plant closing or substantial layoff in order to:
(i) provide information on and facilitate access to available public programs and services; and
(ii) provide emergency assistance adapted to the particular closure or layoff;
(2) promoting the formation of a employee-management committee by providing:
(i) immediate assistance in the establishment of the employee-management committee;
(ii) technical advice and information on sources of assistance and liaison with other public and private services and programs; and
(iii) assistance in the selection of worker representatives in the event no union is present;
(3) collecting and disseminating information related to economic dislocation, including potential closings or layoffs, and all available resources with the state for dislocated workers;
(4) providing or obtaining appropriate financial and technical advice and liaison with economic development agencies and other organizations to assist in efforts to avert dislocation;
(5) disseminating information throughout the state on the availability of services and activities carried out by the dislocated worker unit; and
(6) assisting the local workforce council in developing its own coordinated response to a plant closing or substantial layoff and access to state economic development assistance.
Subd. 11.Converting layoffs into Minnesota businesses (CLIMB).
Converting layoffs into Minnesota businesses (CLIMB) is created to assist dislocated workers in starting or growing a business. CLIMB must offer entrepreneurial training, business consulting, and technical assistance to dislocated workers seeking to start or grow a business. The commissioner, in cooperation with local workforce councils, must provide the assistance in this subdivision by:
(1) encouraging closer ties between the Small Business Development Center network, Small Business Development Center training providers, and workforce centers, as well as other dislocated worker program service providers; and
(2) eliminating grantee performance data disincentives that would otherwise prevent enrollment of dislocated workers in entrepreneurship-related training.
1Sp2001 c 4 art 2 s 7; 2002 c 380 art 2 s 6; 2003 c 128 art 13 s 32-35; 2004 c 257 s 3-8; 2007 c 82 s 1; 2007 c 135 art 2 s 14; 2008 c 300 s 6, 7; 2008 c 363 art 10 s 15; 2010 c 215 art 8 s 2; 2010 c 382 s 87; 2011 c 84 art 3 s 1; 2013 c 85 art 4 s 1,2; 1Sp2015 c 1 art 2 s 5; 2016 c 129 s 2; 2017 c 94 art 6 s 9
The purpose of the special incumbent worker training grants is to expand opportunities for businesses and workers to gain new skills that are in demand in the Minnesota economy. The board shall establish criteria for incumbent worker grants under this section and may encourage creative training models, innovative partnerships, and expansion or replication of promising practices.
(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them.
(b) "Incumbent worker" means an individual employed by a qualifying employer.
(c) "Qualifying employer" means a for-profit business or nonprofit organization in Minnesota with at least one full-time paid employee. Public sector organizations are not considered qualifying employers.
(d) "Eligible organization" has the meaning given in section 116L.17.
Subd. 3.Amount of grants.
A grant to an eligible organization may not exceed $400,000.
Subd. 4.Matching funds.
The board shall require matching funds from qualifying employers in the form of funding, equipment, or faculty.
Eligible organizations shall use funds granted under this section for direct training services to provide a measurable increase in the job-related skills of participating incumbent workers. Eligible organizations may also provide basic assessment, counseling, and preemployment training services requested by the qualifying employer. No funds may be used for support services as described in section 116L.17, subdivision 4, clause (2).
Subd. 6.Performance outcome measures.
The board and the commissioner of employment and economic development shall jointly develop performance outcome measures and standards for this program. The commissioner and board shall consult with eligible organizations in establishing standards. Measures at a minimum must include posttraining retention, promotion, and wage increase. The board and commissioner shall provide a report to the legislature by March 1 of each year on the previous fiscal year's program performance. Eligible organizations must provide performance data in a timely manner for the completion of this report.
Subdivision 1.Applicability.
The definitions in this section apply to sections 116L.19 to 116L.976.
Subd. 2.Commissioner.
"Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.
Subd. 3.Department.
"Department" means the Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Subd. 4.Employment and training services.
"Employment and training services" means programs, activities, and services related to job training, job placement, and job creation including job service programs, Workforce Investment Act programs, job search, counseling, case management, community work experience programs, displaced homemaker programs, disadvantaged job training programs, grant diversion, youth employment programs, Conservation Corps, apprenticeship programs, community development corporations, workforce development services to employers, and opportunities industrialization centers.
Subd. 5.Income maintenance and support services.
"Income maintenance and support services" means programs through which the state or its subdivisions provide direct financial or in-kind support to unemployed or underemployed persons, including unemployment benefits, the Minnesota family investment program, general assistance, food stamps or food support, energy assistance, disability determinations, and child care. Income maintenance and support services do not include medical assistance, aging services, social services, community social services, mental health services, or services for the emotionally disturbed, the developmentally disabled, or residents of nursing homes.
Subd. 6.Indian tribe.
For purposes of employment and training services, "Indian tribe" means a tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community of Indians that is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians, and for which a reservation exists as is consistent with Public Law 100-485, as amended.
Subd. 7.Local service unit.
"Local service unit" means a county, counties operating under a joint powers agreement, one or more counties and one or more cities of the first class operating under a joint powers agreement, or a city of the first class.
Subd. 8.Public assistance.
"Public assistance" means the Minnesota family investment program and general assistance.
Subd. 9.Service provider.
"Service provider" means a public, private, or nonprofit agency that is capable of providing or administrating one or more of the employment and training services or income maintenance and support services.
1Sp1985 c 14 art 9 s 38; 1987 c 403 art 2 s 128; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 219; 1989 c 282 art 5 s 121,122; 1990 c 568 art 4 s 61; 1994 c 483 s 1; 1994 c 488 s 8; 1997 c 66 s 1; 1997 c 85 art 4 s 24,25; 1999 c 107 s 66; 1999 c 159 s 117,118; 2000 c 343 s 4; 2001 c 79 s 2; 1Sp2003 c 14 art 1 s 106; 2004 c 206 s 39,52; 2004 c 257 s 9; 2005 c 56 s 1
(a) The commissioner shall provide at local workforce centers services that assist individuals in identifying and obtaining industry-recognized credentials for jobs, particularly jobs in high demand. The workforce centers must consult and cooperate with training institutions, particularly postsecondary institutions, to identify credential programs to individuals.
(b) Each workforce center shall provide information under section 116J.4011, paragraph (b), clause (3), linked as a shortcut from the desktop of each workforce center computer and available in hard copy. Prominent signs should be posted in workforce centers directing individuals to where they can find a list of top job vacancies and related credential information.
2013 c 85 art 3 s 15
Subdivision 1.Determination and collection of special assessment.
(a) In addition to amounts due from an employer under the Minnesota unemployment insurance program, each employer, except an employer making reimbursements is liable for a special assessment levied at the rate of .10 percent per year on all taxable wages, as defined in section 268.035, subdivision 24, except that effective July 1, 2009, until June 30, 2011, the special assessment shall be levied at a rate of .12 percent per year on all taxable wages as defined in section 268.035, subdivision 24. The assessment shall become due and be paid by each employer on the same schedule and in the same manner as other amounts due from an employer under section 268.051, subdivision 1.
(b) The special assessment levied under this section shall be subject to the same requirements and collection procedures as any amounts due from an employer under the Minnesota unemployment insurance program.
Subd. 2.Disbursement of special assessment funds.
(a) The money collected under this section shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the workforce development fund to provide for employment and training programs. The workforce development fund is created as a special account in the state treasury.
(b) All money in the fund not otherwise appropriated or transferred is appropriated to the Job Skills Partnership Board for the purposes of section 116L.17 and as provided for in paragraph (d). The board must act as the fiscal agent for the money and must disburse that money for the purposes of section 116L.17, not allowing the money to be used for any other obligation of the state. All money in the workforce development fund shall be deposited, administered, and disbursed in the same manner and under the same conditions and requirements as are provided by law for the other special accounts in the state treasury, except that all interest or net income resulting from the investment or deposit of money in the fund shall accrue to the fund for the purposes of the fund.
(c) Reimbursement for costs related to collection of the special assessment shall be in an amount negotiated between the commissioner and the United States Department of Labor.
(d) If the board determines that the conditions of section 116L.05, subdivision 5, have been met, the board may use funds for the purposes outlined in section 116L.04, or to provide incumbent worker training services under section 116L.18.
1990 c 568 art 6 s 1,4; 1990 c 612 s 17; 1991 c 292 art 3 s 33,41; 1993 c 369 s 78,79; 1994 c 483 s 1; 1997 c 66 s 2,80; 1999 c 223 art 3 s 3; 2001 c 7 s 53; 1Sp2001 c 4 art 2 s 22; 1Sp2003 c 3 art 2 s 20; 2004 c 183 s 86; 2004 c 206 s 42,52; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 4 s 28,29; 2007 c 135 art 2 s 15; 2008 c 363 art 10 s 16; 2009 c 78 art 2 s 23; 2014 c 271 art 2 s 6
For the purposes of sections 116L.361 to 116L.366, the following terms have the meanings given them.
[Repealed, 2014 c 271 art 2 s 9; 2014 c 286 art 5 s 5]
Subd. 3.Eligible organization.
"Eligible organization" means a public agency or a nonprofit organization that can demonstrate an ability to implement a program for education and training services provided to targeted youth. Eligible organizations may include local jurisdictions, public school districts, private nonsectarian schools, postsecondary educational institutes, alternative schools, community groups, and labor organizations.
Subd. 4.Program.
"Program" means the services and activities performed or contracted for by an eligible organization for which a grant has been received or for which a grant application has been submitted to the commissioner.
Subd. 5.Homeless individual.
"Homeless individual" or "homeless person" means:
(1) an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and
(2) an individual who has a primary nighttime residence that is:
(i) a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter or dwelling designed to provide temporary living accommodations;
(ii) an institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; or
(iii) a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for humans.
The term "homeless individual" does not include any individual imprisoned or otherwise detained under federal or state law.
Subd. 6.Targeted youth.
"Targeted youth" means at-risk persons who are at least 16 years of age but not older than 24 years of age, are eligible for the high school graduation incentive program under section 124D.68, subdivision 2, or are economically disadvantaged as defined in United States Code, title 29, section 1503, and are part of one of the following groups:
(1) persons who are not attending any school and have not received a secondary school diploma or its equivalent; or
(2) persons currently enrolled in a traditional or alternative school setting or a commissioner of education-selected high school equivalency program and who, in the opinion of an official of the school, are in danger of dropping out of the school.
Subd. 7.Very low income.
"Very low income" means incomes that are at or less than 50 percent of the area median income, adjusted for family size, as estimated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
1988 c 686 art 3 s 1; 1989 c 328 art 7 s 1,2; 1991 c 345 art 2 s 47; 1993 c 369 s 80,81; 1994 c 483 s 1; 1997 c 7 art 1 s 107; 1998 c 397 art 11 s 3; 2004 c 206 s 52; 1Sp2017 c 5 art 10 s 7
Subdivision 1.Generally.
(a) The commissioner shall make grants to eligible organizations for programs to provide education and training services to targeted youth. The purpose of these programs is to provide specialized training and work experience for targeted youth who have not been served effectively by the current educational system. The programs are to include a work experience component with work projects that result in the rehabilitation, improvement, or construction of (1) residential units for the homeless; (2) improvements to the energy efficiency and environmental health of residential units and other green jobs purposes; (3) facilities to support community garden projects; or (4) education, social service, or health facilities which are owned by a public agency or a private nonprofit organization.
(b) Eligible facilities must principally provide services to homeless or very low income individuals and families, and include the following:
(1) Head Start or day care centers;
(2) homeless, battered women, or other shelters;
(3) transitional housing;
(4) youth or senior citizen centers;
(5) community health centers; and
(6) community garden facilities.
Two or more eligible organizations may jointly apply for a grant. The commissioner shall administer the grant program.
Subd. 2.Grant applications; awards.
Interested eligible organizations must apply to the commissioner for the grants. The advisory committee must review the applications and provide to the commissioner a list of recommended eligible organizations that the advisory committee determines meet the requirements for receiving a grant. The total grant award for any program may not exceed $150,000 per year. In awarding grants, the advisory committee and the commissioner must give priority to:
(1) continuing and expanding effective programs by providing grant money to organizations that are operating or have operated a successful program that meets the program purposes under section 116L.364; and
(2) distributing programs throughout the state through start-up grants for programs in areas that are not served by an existing program.
To receive a grant under this section, the eligible organization must match the grant money with at least an equal amount of nonstate money. The commissioner must verify that the eligible organization has matched the grant money. Nothing in this subdivision shall prevent an eligible organization from applying for and receiving grants for more than one program. A grant received by an eligible organization from the federal Youthbuild Project under United States Code, title 42, section 5091, is nonstate money and may be used to meet the state match requirement. State grant money awarded under this section may be used by grantee organizations for match requirements of a federal Youthbuild Project.
1988 c 686 art 3 s 2; 1989 c 328 art 7 s 3; 1992 c 376 art 5 s 1; 1993 c 369 s 82; 2000 c 488 art 2 s 18; 2004 c 206 s 52; 2009 c 78 art 2 s 24
The commissioner may use up to five percent of the biennial appropriation for Youthbuild from the general fund to pay costs incurred by the department in administering Youthbuild during the biennium.
1997 c 200 art 1 s 65; 2004 c 206 s 52
Subdivision 1.Program purpose.
The grants awarded under section 116L.362 are for a youth employment and training program directed at targeted youth who are likely to be at risk of not completing their high school education. Each program must include education, work experience, job skills, and leadership training and peer support components. Each participant must be offered counseling and other services to identify and overcome problems that might interfere with successfully completing the program.
Subd. 2.Education component.
A program must contain an education component that requires program participants to complete their secondary education in a traditional public or private secondary school, a suitable alternative school setting, or a commissioner of education-selected high school equivalency program. Program participants must be working toward the completion of their secondary education or literacy advancement.
Subd. 3.Work experience component.
A work experience component must be included in each program. The work experience component must provide vocational skills training in an industry where there is a viable expectation of job opportunities. A training subsidy, living allowance, or stipend, not to exceed an amount equal to 100 percent of the poverty line for a family of two as defined in United States Code, title 42, section 673, paragraph (2), may be provided to program participants. The wage or stipend must be provided to participants who are recipients of public assistance in a manner or amount which will not reduce public assistance benefits. The work experience component must be designed so that work projects result in (1) the expansion or improvement of residential units for homeless persons and very low income families; (2) improvements to the energy efficiency and environmental health of residential units; (3) facilities to support community garden projects; or (4) rehabilitation, improvement, or construction of eligible education, social service, or health facilities that principally serve homeless or very low income individuals and families. Any work project must include direct supervision by individuals skilled in each specific vocation. Program participants may earn credits toward the completion of their secondary education from their participation in the work experience component.
Subd. 4.Job readiness skills component.
A job readiness skills component must comprise at least 20 percent of each program. The component must provide program participants with job search skills, placement assistance, and other job readiness skills to ensure that participants will have an understanding of the building trades, unions, self-employment, and other employment opportunities and be able to compete in the employment market.
Subd. 5.Leadership training and peer support component.
Each program must provide participants with meaningful opportunities to develop leadership skills such as decision making, problem solving, and negotiating. The program must encourage participants to develop strong peer group ties that support their mutual pursuit of skills and values.
1988 c 686 art 3 s 4; 1989 c 328 art 7 s 4; 1992 c 376 art 5 s 2; 1993 c 369 s 84-86; 2004 c 206 s 52; 2009 c 78 art 2 s 25; 1Sp2017 c 5 art 10 s 7
Subdivision 1.Priority for housing.
Any residential or transitional housing units that become available through a work project that is part of the program described in section 116L.364 must be allocated in the following order:
(1) homeless targeted youth who have participated in constructing, rehabilitating, or improving the unit;
(2) homeless families with at least one dependent;
(3) other homeless individuals;
(4) other very low income families and individuals; and
(5) families or individuals that receive public assistance and that do not qualify in any other priority group.
Subd. 2.Acquisition of housing units.
The eligible organization receiving a grant under section 116L.362 shall acquire property or buildings for the construction or rehabilitation of residential units at the lowest possible cost. Possible sources of property and funding include the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, Farmers Home Administration, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, and the local housing authority.
Subd. 3.Management of residential units.
The program must address how to manage these residential units, including the source of financing for the maintenance costs of the buildings. Any management plan must include the participation of the residents and local established neighborhood groups.
1988 c 686 art 3 s 5; 1989 c 328 art 7 s 5; 1992 c 376 art 5 s 3; 1993 c 369 s 87; 2004 c 206 s 52
An organization that is awarded a grant shall prepare and submit an annual report to the commissioner by September 1 of each year. The report must include a discussion of the following:
(1) the process used for encouraging the participation of the targeted youth in the geographic area surrounding the organization receiving the grant;
(2) the support services and social services that targeted youth received under the program. Services may include client needs assessment, preemployment skills such as basic job skills and behavior, and intermediate needs such as education and chemical dependency treatment;
(3) the type and degree of work experience that program participants received, including real work experience in both vocational and nonvocational settings;
(4) the amount of training subsidy or stipend that each participant received while participating in the work experience component. The subsidy or stipend must reflect prevailing wage and benefits standards appropriate for preapprenticeship training unless a participant's receipt of public assistance is affected. The subsidy or stipend should be structured to include incentives for progress toward increasing job skills and completing secondary education;
(5) the means of providing the necessary job readiness skills to program participants who have completed the work experience and educational components of the program so they have the ability to compete in the job market. These job search skills may include skills assessment, job search and selection, application preparation and assistance in preparing for job interviews;
(6) the methods used to assist in placing program participants in suitable employment. The methods should include means of involving state government, businesses, labor organizations, community groups, and local jurisdictions in assisting in the placement;
(7) the process used for evaluating the program, including the necessary data elements collected from program participants after they have completed the program for monitoring the success of the program;
(8) the method used to maximize parental involvement in the program;
(9) the existing public and private programs that were utilized by the program to avoid duplication of services;
(10) the regional characteristics that affected the operation of the program in the specific region where the organization is located;
(11) the means of addressing the special needs of priority groups of targeted youth, including:
(i) persons who are responsible for at least one dependent;
(ii) persons who are pregnant;
(iii) persons who are or have been subject to any stage of the criminal justice system and who may benefit from receiving employment and training services in overcoming barriers to employment resulting from a record of arrest or conviction;
(iv) persons receiving income maintenance services and social services, including chemical dependency treatment, vocational rehabilitation services, and protection services;
(v) persons who reside on a farm who personally derive or whose family derives a substantial portion of their income from farming, lack nonfarm work skills, or have limited access to vocational education or work experience opportunities;
(vi) homeless youth; and
(vii) minors who that are not financially dependent on a parent or a guardian;
(12) costs for each of the components of the program; and
(13) the identification of the funding sources other than state appropriations that were used to support the program.
1988 c 686 art 3 s 6; 1989 c 328 art 7 s 6; 2004 c 206 s 52
When used in sections 116L.40 to 116L.42, the following terms have the meanings given them unless the context requires otherwise.
Subd. 2.Agreement.
"Agreement" means the agreement between an employer and the commissioner for a project.
Subd. 4.Disability.
"Disability" has the meaning given under United States Code, title 42, chapter 126.
"Employee" means the individual employed in a new job.
Subd. 6.Employer.
"Employer" means the individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or association providing new jobs and entering into an agreement.
Subd. 7.New job.
"New job" means a job:
(1) that is provided by a new or expanding business at a location in Minnesota outside of the metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2;
(2) that provides at least 32 hours of work per week for a minimum of nine months per year and is permanent with no planned termination date;
(3) that is certified by the commissioner as qualifying under the program before the first employee is hired to fill the job; and
(4) for which an employee hired was not (i) formerly employed by the employer in the state, or (ii) a replacement worker, including a worker newly hired as a result of a labor dispute.
"Program" means the project or projects established under sections 116L.40 to 116L.42.
Subd. 9.Program costs.
"Program costs" means all necessary and incidental costs of providing program services, except that program costs are increased by $1,000 per employee for an individual with a disability. The term does not include the cost of purchasing equipment to be owned or used by the training or educational institution or service.
Subd. 10.Program services.
"Program services" means training and education specifically directed to new jobs that are determined to be appropriate by the commissioner, including in-house training; services provided by institutions of higher education and federal, state, or local agencies; or private training or educational services. Administrative services and assessment and testing costs are included.
Subd. 11.Project.
"Project" means a training arrangement that is the subject of an agreement entered into between the commissioner and an employer to provide program services.
1Sp2015 c 1 art 2 s 6
Subdivision 1.Service provision.
Upon request, the commissioner shall provide or coordinate the provision of program services under sections 116L.40 to 116L.42 to a business eligible for grants under section 116L.42. The commissioner shall specify the form of and required information to be provided with applications for projects to be funded with grants under section 116L.42.
Subd. 2.Agreements; required terms.
(a) The commissioner may enter into an agreement to establish a project with an employer that:
(1) identifies program costs to be paid from sources under the program;
(2) identifies program costs to be paid by the employer;
(3) provides that on-the-job training costs for employees may not exceed 50 percent of the annual gross wages and salaries of the new jobs in the first full year after execution of the agreement up to a maximum of $10,000 per eligible employee;
(4) provides that each employee must be paid wages at least equal to the median hourly wage for the county in which the job is located, as reported in the most recently available data from the United States Bureau of the Census, plus benefits, by the earlier of the end of the training period or 18 months of employment under the project; and
(5) provides that job training will be provided and the length of time of training.
(b) Before entering into a final agreement, the commissioner shall:
(1) determine that sufficient funds for the project are available under section 116L.42; and
(2) investigate the applicability of other training programs and determine whether the job skills partnership grant program is a more suitable source of funding for the training and whether the training can be completed in a timely manner that meets the needs of the business.
The investigation under clause (2) must be completed within 15 days or as soon as reasonably possible after the employer has provided the commissioner with all the requested information.
Subd. 3.Grant funds sufficient.
The commissioner must not enter into an agreement under subdivision 2 unless the commissioner determines that sufficient funds are available.
Subd. 4.Allocation.
The commissioner shall allocate grant funds under section 116L.42 to project applications based on a first-come, first-served basis, determined on the basis of the commissioner's receipt of a complete application for the project, including the provision of all of the required information. The agreement must specify the amount of grant funds available to the employer for each year covered by the agreement.
Subd. 5.Application fee.
The commissioner may charge each employer an application fee to cover part or all of the administrative and legal costs incurred, not to exceed $500 per employer. The fee is deemed approved under section 16A.1283. The fee is deposited in the jobs training account in the special revenue fund and amounts in the account are appropriated to the commissioner for the costs of administering the program. The commissioner shall refund the fee to the employer if the application is denied because program funding is unavailable.
Subdivision 1.Recovery of program costs.
Amounts paid by employers for program costs are repaid by a job training grant equal to the lesser of the following:
(1) the amount of program costs specified in the agreement for the project; or
(2) the amount of program costs paid by the employer for new employees under a project.
Subd. 2.Reports.
(a) By February 1, 2018, the commissioner shall report to the governor and the legislature on the program. The report must include at least:
(1) the amount of grants issued under the program;
(2) the number of individuals receiving training under the program, including the number of new hires who are individuals with disabilities;
(3) the number of new hires attributable to the program, including the number of new hires who are individuals with disabilities;
(4) an analysis of the effectiveness of the grant in encouraging employment; and
(5) any other information the commissioner determines appropriate.
(b) The report to the legislature must be distributed as provided in section 3.195.
For the purposes of this section and section 116L.561, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them.
Subd. 2.Eligible applicant.
"Eligible applicant" means an individual who is between the ages of 14 and 21 and economically disadvantaged.
An at-risk youth who is classified as a family of one is deemed economically disadvantaged. For purposes of eligibility determination the following individuals are considered at risk:
(1) a pregnant or parenting youth;
(2) a youth with limited English proficiency;
(3) a potential or actual school dropout;
(4) a youth in an offender or diversion program;
(5) a public assistance recipient or a recipient of group home services;
(6) a youth with disabilities including learning disabilities;
(7) a chemically dependent youth or child of drug or alcohol abusers;
(8) a homeless or runaway youth;
(9) a youth with basic skills deficiency;
(10) a youth with an educational attainment of one or more levels below grade level appropriate to age; or
(11) a foster child.
"Employer" means a private or public employer.
1994 c 483 s 1; 1994 c 632 art 4 s 66; 2004 c 206 s 52
The Minnesota youth program is established to:
(1) improve the employability of eligible applicants through exposure to public or private sector work;
(2) enhance the basic educational skills of eligible applicants;
(3) encourage the completion of high school or equivalency;
(4) assist eligible applicants to enter employment, school-to-work transition programs, the military, or postsecondary education or training;
(5) enhance the citizenship skills of eligible applicants through community service and service-learning; and
(6) provide educational, career, and life skills counseling.
Subd. 2.Wage rate.
The rate of pay for Minnesota youth program positions with public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit employers is the minimum wage. Employers may use their own funds to increase the participants' hourly wage rates. Youths designated as supervisors may be paid at a higher level to be determined by the local contractor.
Subd. 3.Employment contracts.
The commissioner may enter into arrangements with existing public and private nonprofit organizations and agencies with experience in administering youth employment programs for the purpose of providing employment opportunities for eligible applicants in furtherance of this section and section 116L.56. The Department of Employment and Economic Development shall retain ultimate responsibility for the administration of this employment program.
Subd. 4.Contract administration.
Preference shall be given to local contractors with experience in administering youth employment and training programs and those who have demonstrated efforts to coordinate state and federal youth programs locally.
Subd. 5.Allocation formula.
Seventy percent of Minnesota youth program funds must be allocated based on the county's share of economically disadvantaged youth. The remaining 30 percent must be allocated based on the county's share of population ages 14 to 21.
Subd. 6.Allowable cost categories.
Of the total allocation, up to 15 percent may be used for administrative purposes and the remainder may be used for a combination of training and participant support activities.
Each contractor shall report to the commissioner in a format to be determined by the commissioner.
Data collected on individuals under this subdivision are private data on individuals as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12, except that summary data may be provided under section 13.05, subdivision 7.
Subd. 8.Part-time employment.
Wages and subsidies under this section may be paid for part-time employment.
Subd. 9.Layoffs; worker reductions.
An employer may not lay off, terminate, or reduce the working hours of an employee for the purpose of hiring an individual with funds provided by this section. An employer may not hire an individual with funds available under this section if any other individual is laid off from the same or a substantially equivalent job.
1994 c 483 s 1; 1994 c 632 art 4 s 67; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 4 s 30; 2004 c 206 s 52; 2005 c 112 art 2 s 41; 2011 c 84 art 3 s 2
Subdivision 1.Establishment.
The commissioner shall award grants to eligible organizations for the purpose of providing workforce development and training opportunities to economically disadvantaged or at-risk youth ages 14 to 24.
For purposes of this section:
(1) "eligible organization" or "eligible applicant" means a local government unit, nonprofit organization, community action agency, or a public school district;
(2) "at-risk youth" means youth classified as at-risk under section 116L.56, subdivision 2; and
(3) "economically disadvantaged" means youth who are economically disadvantaged as defined in United States Code, title 29, section 1503.
Subd. 3.Competitive grant awards.
(a) In awarding competitive grants, priority shall be given to programs that:
(1) provide students with information about education and training requirements for careers in high-growth, in-demand occupations;
(2) serve youth from communities of color who are underrepresented in the workforce; or
(3) serve youth with disabilities.
(b) Eligible organizations must have demonstrated effectiveness in administering youth workforce programs and must leverage nonstate or private sector funds.
(c) New eligible applicants must be youth-serving organizations with significant capacity and demonstrable youth development experience and outcomes to operate a youth workforce development project.
(d) If a program is not operated by a local unit of government or a workforce development board, the grant recipient must coordinate the program with the local workforce development board.
Each grant recipient shall report to the commissioner in a format to be determined by commissioner.
2016 c 189 art 12 s 9
It is the purpose of sections 116L.60 to 116L.64 to provide financial assistance for comprehensive job training and related services for economically disadvantaged, unemployed, and underemployed individuals through opportunities industrialization centers.
1983 c 312 art 6 s 1; 2004 c 206 s 52
When used in sections 116L.60 to 116L.64 the terms in this section have the meanings given them.
"Council" means the Minnesota State Council of the Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America.
Subd. 3.Economically disadvantaged.
"Economically disadvantaged" means an individual who meets the criteria for an economically disadvantaged person established by rule by the commissioner.
Subd. 4.Underemployed.
"Underemployed" means an individual:
(1) working part time but seeking full-time work; or
(2) working full time but receiving wages below the greater of:
(i) the poverty level determined in accordance with criteria established by the Department of Employment and Economic Development; or
(ii) 70 percent of the lower living standard income level as determined by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Subd. 5.Unemployed.
"Unemployed" means an individual who is without a job, and who wants and is available for work.
1983 c 312 art 6 s 2; 1Sp1985 c 14 art 9 s 75; 1994 c 483 s 1; 2004 c 206 s 52; 2005 c 112 art 2 s 41
The commissioner shall distribute the money appropriated for:
(a) comprehensive job training and related services or job opportunities programs for economically disadvantaged, unemployed, and underemployed individuals, including persons of limited English speaking ability, through opportunities industrialization centers; and
(b) the establishment and operation in Minnesota of these centers.
Comprehensive job training and related services include: recruitment, counseling, remediation, motivational prejob training, vocational training, job development, job placement, and other appropriate services enabling individuals to secure and retain employment at their maximum capacity.
The commissioner, with the advice of the council, shall establish criteria for the distribution of state money for the purpose of section 116L.62. The criteria shall include requirements that:
(1) the program receiving state assistance:
(i) involve residents in the area to be served by the program in the planning and operation of the program; and
(ii) involve the business community in the area to be served by the program in its development and operation;
(2) the distribution of assistance among areas within the state be equitable, with priority being given to areas with high unemployment or underemployment;
(3) financial assistance under sections 116L.60 to 116L.64 to any program may not exceed 25 percent of the cost of the program including costs of administration; and
(4) a program receiving financial assistance has adequate internal administrative controls, accounting procedures, personnel standards, evaluation procedures, availability of in-service training and technical assistance programs, and other policies necessary to promote the effective use of state money.
The commissioner may make a distribution in excess of the limit prescribed in clause (3) if the commissioner determines that the excess distribution is necessary to further the objectives of sections 116L.60 and 116L.62.
The commissioner may make a distribution of money directly to a program, or make a distribution subject to conditions that ensure use consistent with the distribution and utilization of money under federal legislation regarding job training and related services.
Subdivision 1.List of vacancies.
A business or private enterprise receiving grants or loans from the state in amounts over $200,000 a year shall as part of the grant or loan agree to list any vacant or new positions with the state workforce centers.
Subd. 2.Grant and loan agreements.
The commissioner shall incorporate the provisions of this section into grant and loan agreements.
1Sp1985 c 14 art 9 s 47; 1987 c 312 art 1 s 26 subd 2; 1994 c 483 s 1; 1Sp2003 c 4 s 1; 2004 c 206 s 45,52
Subdivision 1.Creation.
The governor's Workforce Development Board serves as Minnesota's state workforce development board for the purposes of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, United States Code, title 29, section 3111, and must perform the duties under that act.
Subd. 2.Membership.
(a) The governor's Workforce Development Board is composed of members appointed by the governor. In selecting the representatives of the board, the governor shall ensure that a majority of the members come from the private sector, pursuant to United States Code, title 29, section 3111. For the public members, membership terms, compensation of members, and removal of members are governed by section 15.059, subdivisions 2, 3, and 4. To the extent practicable, the membership should be balanced as to gender and ethnic diversity.
(b) No person shall serve as a member of more than one category described in paragraph (c).
(c) Voting members shall consist of the following:
(1) the governor or the governor's designee;
(2) two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of the house and one appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives;
(3) two members of the senate, one appointed by the senate majority leader and one appointed by the senate minority leader;
(4) a majority of the members must be representatives of businesses in the state appointed by the governor who:
(i) are owners of businesses, chief executives, or operating officers of businesses, or other business executives or employers with optimum policy-making or hiring authority and who, in addition, may be members of a local board under United States Code, title 29, section 3122(b)(2)(A)(i);
(ii) represent businesses, including small businesses, or organizations representing businesses that provide employment opportunities that, at a minimum, include high-quality, work-relevant training and development in in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the state; and
(iii) are appointed from individuals nominated by state business organizations and business trade associations;
(5) six representatives of labor organizations appointed by the governor, including:
(i) representatives of labor organizations who have been nominated by state labor federations; and
(ii) a member of a labor organization or a training director from a joint labor organization;
(6) commissioners of the state agencies with primary responsibility for core programs identified within the state plan including:
(i) the Department of Employment and Economic Development;
(ii) the Department of Education; and
(iii) the Department of Human Services;
(7) two chief elected officials, appointed by the governor, collectively representing cities and counties;
(8) two representatives who are people of color or people with disabilities, appointed by the governor, of community-based organizations that have demonstrated experience and expertise in addressing the employment, training, or education needs of individuals with barriers to employment; and
(9) four officials responsible for education programs in the state, appointed by the governor, including chief executive officers of community colleges and other institutions of higher education, including:
(i) the chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities;
(ii) the president of the University of Minnesota;
(iii) a president from a private postsecondary school; and
(iv) a representative of career and technical education.
(d) The nonvoting members of the board shall be appointed by the governor and consist of one of each of the following:
(1) a representative of Adult Basic Education;
(2) a representative of public libraries;
(3) a person with expertise in women's economic security;
(4) the chair or executive director of the Minnesota Workforce Council Association;
(5) the commissioner of labor and industry;
(6) the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education;
(7) the commissioner of corrections;
(8) the commissioner of management and budget;
(9) two representatives of community-based organizations who are people of color or people with disabilities who have demonstrated experience and expertise in addressing the employment, training, and education needs of individuals with barriers to employment;
(10) a representative of secondary, postsecondary, or career-technical education;
(11) a representative of school-based service learning;
(12) a representative of the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans;
(13) a representative of the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs;
(14) a representative of the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage;
(15) a representative of the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council;
(16) a representative of the Minnesota State Council on Disability; and
(17) a representative of the Office on the Economic Status of Women.
(e) Each member shall be appointed for a term of three years from the first day of January or July immediately following their appointment. Elected officials shall forfeit their appointment if they cease to serve in elected office.
Subd. 2a.Board meetings; chair.
(a) The board shall hold regular in-person meetings at least quarterly and as often as necessary to perform the duties outlined in the statement of authority and the board's bylaws. Meetings shall be called by the chair. Special meetings may be called as needed. Notices of all meetings shall be made at least 48 hours before the meeting date.
(b) The governor shall designate a chair from among the appointed business representative voting members. The chair shall approve an agenda for each meeting. Members shall submit a written request for consideration of an agenda item no less than 24 hours in advance of the meeting. Members of the public may submit a written request within 48 hours of a meeting to be considered for inclusion in the agenda. Members of the public attending a meeting of the board may address the board only with the approval or at the request of the chair.
(c) All meeting notices must be posted on the board's website. All meetings of the board and committees must be open to the public. The board must make available to the public, on a regular basis through electronic means and open meetings, information regarding the activities of the board, information regarding membership, and, on request, minutes of formal meetings of the board.
(d) For the purpose of conducting business before the board at a duly called meeting, a simple majority of the voting members, excluding any vacancies, constitutes a quorum.
Subd. 4.Executive committee duties.
The executive committee must, with advice and input of local workforce boards and other stakeholders as appropriate, develop performance standards for the state workforce centers. By January 15, 2019, and each odd-numbered year thereafter, the executive committee shall submit a report to the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over workforce development programs regarding the performance and outcomes of the workforce centers. The report must provide recommendations regarding workforce center funding levels and sources, program changes, and administrative changes.
Subd. 5.Subcommittees.
The chair of the Workforce Development Board may establish subcommittees in order to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the board.
Subd. 6.Staffing.
The commissioner of employment and economic development must provide staff to the board necessary to carry out the duties of the board. At the request of the board, state departments and agencies must provide the board with the assistance it requires to fulfill its duties and responsibilities.
Subd. 7.Expiration.
The board expires if there is no federal funding for the human resource programs within the scope of the board's duties.
Subd. 8.Funding.
The commissioner of employment and economic development must provide at least $350,000 each fiscal year from existing agency resources to the board for staffing and administrative expenses.
1995 c 131 s 1; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1996 c 395 s 18; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 3 s 19; 1998 c 397 art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 3 s 9,10; 2001 c 79 s 4; 1Sp2001 c 4 art 2 s 24; 2003 c 130 s 12; 1Sp2003 c 4 s 1; 2004 c 206 s 46,52; 2005 c 163 s 55; 2007 c 13 art 3 s 11; 2010 c 347 art 1 s 7-9; 2011 c 74 s 1; 2013 c 48 s 1; 2014 c 239 art 2 s 2; 2017 c 94 art 6 s 10
Subdivision 1.Designation of workforce development areas.
For the purpose of administering federal, state, and local employment and training services, the commissioner shall designate the geographic boundaries for workforce development areas in Minnesota.
The commissioner shall approve a request to be a workforce development area from:
(1) a home rule charter or statutory city with a population of 200,000 or more or a county with a population of 200,000 or more; or
(2) a consortium of contiguous home rule charter or statutory cities or counties with an aggregate population of 200,000 or more that serves a substantial part of one or more labor markets.
The commissioner may approve a request to be a workforce development area from a home rule charter or statutory city or a county or a consortium of contiguous home rule charter or statutory cities or counties, without regard to population, that serves a substantial portion of a labor market area.
The commissioner shall make a final designation of workforce development areas within the state after consulting with local elected officials and the governor's Workforce Development Board. Existing workforce development areas designated under the federal Workforce Investment Act shall be initially designated as workforce development areas providing that no other petitions are submitted by local elected officials.
The commissioner may redesignate workforce development areas, upon the advice of the affected local elected officials, no more frequently than every two years. These redesignations must be made not later than four months before the beginning of a program year.
Subd. 2.Creation of local workforce development boards.
A local workforce development board must be established in each workforce development area, designated according to subdivision 1.
Subd. 3.Membership on local workforce development boards.
In workforce development areas representing only one home rule charter or statutory city or a county, the chief local elected official must appoint members to the board. In workforce development areas representing two or more home rule charter or statutory cities or counties, the chief elected officials of the home rule charter or statutory cities or counties must appoint members to the board, in accordance with an agreement entered into by such units of general local government.
A local workforce development board shall include as members:
(1) representatives of the private sector, who must constitute a majority of the membership of the workforce development board and who are owners of business concerns, chief executives or chief operating officers of nongovernmental employers, or other private sector executives who have substantial management or policy responsibility;
(2) representatives of organized labor;
(3) representatives of the area workforce and community-based organizations, including labor, veterans, individuals with disabilities, minorities, older workers, housing, secondary career and technical education, or philanthropic organizations, who shall constitute not less than 20 percent of the membership of the workforce development board; and
(4) representatives of each of the following:
(i) higher educational agencies that are representative of all higher educational agencies within the workforce development area, including community colleges;
(ii) vocational rehabilitation programs carried out under title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 within the workforce development area;
(iii) representatives of adult education and literacy programs under title II of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 within the workforce development area;
(iv) the director of area apprenticeship training;
(v) economic development agencies;
(vi) a company or trade association with an apprenticeship program recognized by the Department of Labor and Industry; and
(vii) Wagner-Peyser funded public employment service agencies.
Individual members of the local board may represent multiple categories referenced in clauses (1) to (4). The chair of each local workforce development board shall be selected from among the members of the board who are representatives of the private sector.
Private sector representatives on the local workforce development board shall be selected from among individuals nominated by general purpose business organizations, such as local chambers of commerce, in the workforce development area.
Education representatives on the local workforce development board must include at least one representative from a local adult basic education program approved under section 124D.52 and nominated by the program, and the higher education representatives shall be selected from among individuals nominated by postsecondary educational institutions within the workforce development area.
Organized labor representatives on the local workforce development board shall be selected from individuals recommended by recognized state and local labor federations, organizations, or councils. If the state or local labor federations, organizations, or councils fail to nominate a sufficient number of individuals to meet the labor representation requirements, individual workers may be included on the local workforce development board to complete the labor representation.
The commissioner must certify a local workforce development board if the commissioner determines that its composition and appointments are consistent with this subdivision.
Subd. 4.Purpose; duties of local workforce development board.
The local workforce development board is responsible for providing policy guidance for, and exercising oversight with respect to, activities conducted by local workforce centers in partnership with the local unit or units of general local government within the workforce development area and with the commissioner.
A local workforce center is a location where federal, state, and local employment and training services are provided to job seekers and employers.
A local workforce development board, in accordance with an agreement or agreements with the appropriate chief elected official or officials and the commissioner, shall:
(1) determine procedures for the development of the local workforce development area plan. The procedures may provide for the preparation of all or any part of the plan:
(i) by the local workforce development board;
(ii) by any unit of general local or state government in the workforce development area, or by an agency of that unit; or
(iii) by any other methods or institutions as may be provided in the agreement;
(2) consult with the department prior to the award of competitive workforce development grants in the local area;
(3) select the recipients for local grants and an administrator of the local workforce development area plan. These may be the same entity or separate entities and must be chosen from among the following:
(i) the local workforce development board;
(ii) a unit of general local or state government in its workforce development area, or an agency of that unit;
(iii) a nonprofit organization or corporation; or
(iv) any other agreed-upon entity;
(4) jointly plan for local collaborative activities including the transition of public assistance recipients to employment in the public or private sectors;
(5) provide on-site review and oversight of program performance;
(6) establish local priorities for service and target populations;
(7) ensure nonduplication of state and federal workforce development services and a unified service delivery system within the workforce development area;
(8) ensure that local workforce centers provide meeting space, free of charge, for meetings of displaced homemaker programs, established under section 116L.96; and
(9) nominate individuals to the governor to consider for membership on the governor's Workforce Development Board.
1997 c 118 s 1; 1999 c 223 art 2 s 38; 2004 c 206 s 52; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 4 s 30; 2007 c 135 art 2 s 16; 2009 c 65 s 1; 2016 c 129 s 1; 2018 c 182 art 1 s 108
Subdivision 1.Requirement.
Each workforce development area located outside of the metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2, except for a service area that serves a single city outside of the metropolitan area, must have a career counseling coordinator who is responsible for improving coordination and communication of workforce development programs and services within the workforce development area, with other workforce development areas and career counseling coordinators, and with administering agencies. A career counseling coordinator may serve as the coordinator for up to two service areas.
Subd. 2.Responsibilities.
A career counseling coordinator is responsible for:
(1) understanding the needs of existing, new, and prospective service area businesses in regard to workforce development programs, resources, and other services;
(2) connecting job seekers, secondary and higher education institutions, employers, and other stakeholders and partners;
(3) providing services to job seekers including career counseling, training, and work experience opportunities;
(4) assessing and compiling information about all workforce development programs and services offered in the assigned workforce development area, including adult basic education programs and programs and services at higher education institutions and kindergarten through grade 12 schools;
(5) making recommendations to the commissioner regarding ways to improve career counseling coordination, possible program changes, and new workforce programs or initiatives;
(6) sharing best practices and collaborating with other career counseling coordinators to promote and enable state-level coordination among workforce development programs and administering agencies including, but not limited to, the Departments of Employment and Economic Development, Education, and Labor and Industry, and the Office of Higher Education; and
(7) promoting available workforce development and career counseling programs and resources in the workforce development area.
Subd. 3.Reporting; consolidation.
The workforce council in each of the workforce development areas having a career counseling coordinator shall submit an annual report to the commissioner that includes, but is not limited to, a narrative of and the number of businesses, job seekers, and other stakeholders served by the career counseling coordinator function, an accounting of workforce development and career counseling programs and services offered in the assigned workforce development area, and any recommendations for changes to workforce development efforts in the workforce development area. Beginning January 15, 2016, and each year thereafter, the commissioner shall consolidate the reports and submit the consolidated report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over economic development and workforce policy and finance.
1Sp2015 c 1 art 2 s 9; 2016 c 129 s 2
Subdivision 1.Interagency agreements.
By October 1, 1987, the commissioner and the commissioner of human services shall enter into a written contract for the design, delivery, and administration of employment and training services for applicants for or recipients of food stamps, the Minnesota family investment program, and general assistance. The contract must address:
(1) specific roles and responsibilities of each department;
(2) assignment and supervision of staff for interagency activities including any necessary interagency employee mobility agreements under the administrative procedures of the Department of Management and Budget;
(3) mechanisms for determining the conditions under which individuals participate in services, their rights and responsibilities while participating, and the standards by which the services must be administered;
(4) procedures for providing technical assistance to local service units, Indian tribes, and employment and training service providers;
(5) access to appropriate staff for ongoing development and interpretation of policy, rules, and program standards;
(6) procedures for reimbursing appropriate agencies for administrative expenses; and
(7) procedures for accessing available federal funds.
Subd. 2.Coordination.
In developing employment and training services, the commissioner shall identify and incorporate, to the extent possible, money from both federal and state income maintenance, employment and training, and educational programs.
Subd. 3.Inventory, referral, and intake services.
The commissioner of employment and economic development, in cooperation with the commissioner of human services, shall develop an inventory, referral, and intake system. The system must provide for coordinated delivery of employment and training and income maintenance support services, efficient client referral among programs and services, reduction of duplicate data collection, coordinated program intake by local agencies, and effective evaluation of employment and training services. The system must, at a minimum, include the following:
(1) a listing of all available public and private employment and training services, income maintenance and support services, and vocationally directed education and training programs;
(2) the capability to assess client needs and match those needs with employment opportunities, education and training programs, and employment and training and income maintenance and support services, and to refer the client to the appropriate employer, educational institution, or service provider;
(3) a coordinated intake procedure for employment and training services, and income maintenance and support services;
(4) access to a statewide database for client tracking and program evaluation; and
(5) internal security measures to protect private data from unauthorized access.
In developing the system, the commissioner shall consult with the public postsecondary educational systems, local agencies, employment and training service providers, and client and employer representatives. The system must be available in each local agency or service provider delivering programs administered by the commissioner of employment and economic development or the commissioner of human services. Access by intake workers, state agency personnel, clients, and any other system users to information contained in the system must conform with all applicable federal and state data privacy requirements.
1Sp1985 c 14 art 9 s 66; 1987 c 403 art 3 s 53; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 222; 1989 c 282 art 5 s 125; 1990 c 568 art 4 s 72,73; 1994 c 483 s 1; 1997 c 85 art 4 s 30; 1999 c 159 s 122; 2004 c 206 s 52; 2008 c 204 s 42; 2009 c 101 art 2 s 109
(a) The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of human services, shall review and comment on Indian tribe plans submitted to the commissioner for provision of employment and training services. Beginning April 15, 1991, and by April 15 of each second year thereafter, the Indian tribe shall prepare and submit to the commissioner a plan that covers the next two state fiscal years. Beginning April 15, 1992, and by April 15 of each second year thereafter, the Indian tribe shall prepare and submit to the commissioner an interim year plan update that deals with performance during the past state fiscal year and that covers changes anticipated for the second year of the biennium. The commissioner shall notify the Indian tribe of approval or disapproval of the plans and updates for existing programs within 60 days of submission.
(b) A plan for a new tribal program must be submitted at least 45 days before the program is to commence. The commissioner shall approve or disapprove the plan for new programs within 30 days of receipt.
(c) The tribal plan and update must contain information that has been established by the commissioner and the commissioner of human services for the tribal employment and training service program.
(d) The commissioner may recommend to the commissioner of human services withholding the distribution of employment and training money from a tribe whose plan or update is disapproved by the commissioner or a tribe that does not submit a plan or update by the date established in this section.
1989 c 282 art 5 s 128; 1990 c 568 art 4 s 78; 2004 c 206 s 52
The commissioner of employment and economic development may enter into arrangements with existing private or nonprofit organizations and agencies with experience in dealing with displaced homemakers to provide counseling and training services. The commissioner shall assist displaced homemakers in applying for appropriate welfare programs and shall take welfare allowances received into account in setting the stipend level. Income received as a stipend under these programs shall be totally disregarded for purposes of determining eligibility for and the amount of a general assistance grant.
1973 c 254; 1977 c 428 s 8; 1977 c 430 s 25; 1Sp1985 c 14 art 9 s 75; 1994 c 483 s 1; 2004 c 206 s 52; 2009 c 78 art 2 s 27
Subdivision 1.Notice.
(a) The commissioner shall encourage those business establishments considering a decision to effect a plant closing, substantial layoff, or relocation of operations located in this state to give notice of that decision as early as possible to the commissioner, the employees of the affected establishment, any employee organization representing the employees, and the local government unit in which the affected establishment is located. This notice shall be in addition to any notice required under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, United States Code, title 29, section 2101.
(b) For purposes of this section, "plant closing" means the announced or actual permanent or temporary shutdown of a single site of employment, or one or more facilities or operating units within a single site of employment, if the shutdown results in an employment loss at the single site of employment during any 30-day period for 50 or more employees excluding employees who work less than 20 hours per week.
Subd. 2.Employer responsibility.
An employer providing notice of a plant closing, substantial layoff, or relocation of operations under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, United States Code, title 29, section 2101, or under subdivision 1 must report to the commissioner the names, addresses, and occupations of the employees who will be or have been terminated.
1989 c 282 art 2 s 178; 1993 c 369 s 102; 1994 c 488 s 8; 1999 c 107 s 66; 2000 c 343 s 4; 2001 c 175 s 50; 1Sp2001 c 4 art 2 s 41; 2002 c 380 art 2 s 20; 1Sp2003 c 4 s 1; 2004 c 206 s 47,52
Subdivision 1.Requirements.
The commissioner shall develop and implement a uniform outcome measurement and reporting system for adult workforce-related programs funded in whole or in part by state funds. For the purpose of this section, "workforce-related programs" means all education and training programs administered by the commissioner and includes programs and services administered by the commissioner and provided to individuals enrolled in adult basic education under section 124D.52 and the Minnesota family investment program under chapter 256J.
(b) "Credential" means postsecondary degrees, diplomas, licenses, and certificates awarded in recognition of an individual's attainment of measurable technical or occupational skills necessary to obtain employment or advance with an occupation. This definition does not include certificates awarded by workforce investment boards or work-readiness certificates.
(c) "Exit" means to have not received service under a workforce program for 90 consecutive calendar days. The exit date is the last date of service.
(d) "Net impact" means the use of matched control groups and regression analysis to estimate the impacts attributable to program participation net of other factors, including observable personal characteristics and economic conditions.
(e) "Pre-enrollment" means the period of time before an individual was enrolled in a workforce program.
Subd. 3.Uniform outcome report card; reporting by commissioner.
(a) By December 31 of each even-numbered year, the commissioner must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees of the house of representatives and the senate having jurisdiction over economic development and workforce policy and finance the following information separately for each of the previous two fiscal or calendar years, for each program subject to the requirements of subdivision 1:
(1) the total number of participants enrolled;
(2) the median pre-enrollment wages based on participant wages for the second through the fifth calendar quarters immediately preceding the quarter of enrollment excluding those with zero income;
(3) the total number of participants with zero income in the second through fifth calendar quarters immediately preceding the quarter of enrollment;
(4) the total number of participants enrolled in training;
(5) the total number of participants enrolled in training by occupational group;
(6) the total number of participants that exited the program and the average enrollment duration of participants that have exited the program during the year;
(7) the total number of exited participants who completed training;
(8) the total number of exited participants who attained a credential;
(9) the total number of participants employed during three consecutive quarters immediately following the quarter of exit, by industry;
(10) the median wages of participants employed during three consecutive quarters immediately following the quarter of exit;
(11) the total number of participants employed during eight consecutive quarters immediately following the quarter of exit, by industry;
(12) the median wages of participants employed during eight consecutive quarters immediately following the quarter of exit;
(13) the total cost of the program;
(14) the total cost of the program per participant;
(15) the cost per credential received by a participant; and
(16) the administrative cost of the program.
(b) The report to the legislature must contain participant information by education level, race and ethnicity, gender, and geography, and a comparison of exited participants who completed training and those who did not.
(c) The requirements of this section apply to programs administered directly by the commissioner or administered by other organizations under a grant made by the department.
Subd. 4.Data to commissioner; uniform report card.
(a) A recipient of a future or past grant or direct appropriation made by or through the department must report data to the commissioner by September 1 of each even-numbered year on each of the items in subdivision 3 for each program it administers except wages and number employed, which the department shall provide. The data must be in a format prescribed by the commissioner.
(b) Beginning July 1, 2014, the commissioner shall provide notice to grant applicants and recipients regarding the data collection and reporting requirements under this subdivision and must provide technical assistance to applicants and recipients to assist in complying with the requirements of this subdivision.
(a) The information collected and reported under subdivisions 3 and 4 shall be made available on the department's website.
(b) The commissioner must provide analysis of the data required under subdivision 3.
(c) The analysis under paragraph (b) must also include an executive summary of program outcomes, including but not limited to enrollment, training, credentials, pre- and post-program employment and wages, and a comparison of program outcomes by participant characteristics.
(d) The data required in the comparative analysis under paragraph (c) must be presented in both written and graphic format.
Subd. 6.Limitations on future appropriations.
(a) A program that is a recipient of public funds and subject to the requirements of this section as of May 1, 2014, is not eligible for additional state appropriations for any fiscal year beginning after June 30, 2015, unless all of the reporting requirements under subdivision 4 have been satisfied.
(b) A program with an initial request for funds on or after July 1, 2014, may be considered for receipt of public funds for the first two fiscal years only if a plan that demonstrates how the data collection and reporting requirements under subdivision 4 will be met has been submitted and approved by the commissioner. Any subsequent request for funds after an initial request is subject to the requirements of paragraph (a).
Subd. 7.Workforce program net impact analysis.
(a) By January 15, 2015, the commissioner must report to the committees of the house of representatives and the senate having jurisdiction over economic development and workforce policy and finance on the results of the net impact pilot project already underway as of the date of enactment of this section.
(b) The commissioner shall contract with an independent entity to conduct an ongoing net impact analysis of the programs included in the net impact pilot project under paragraph (a), career pathways programs, and any other programs deemed appropriate by the commissioner. The net impact methodology used by the independent entity under this paragraph must be based on the methodology and evaluation design used in the net impact pilot project under paragraph (a).
(c) By January 15, 2017, and every four years thereafter, the commissioner must report to the committees of the house of representatives and the senate having jurisdiction over economic development and workforce policy and finance the following information for each program subject to paragraph (b):
(1) the net impact of workforce services on individual employment, earnings, and public benefit usage outcomes; and
(2) a cost-benefit analysis for understanding the monetary impacts of workforce services from the participant and taxpayer points of view.
The report under this paragraph must be made available to the public in an electronic format on the Department of Employment and Economic Development's website.
(d) The department is authorized to create and maintain data-sharing agreements with other departments, including corrections, human services, and any other department that are necessary to complete the analysis. The department shall supply the information collected for use by the independent entity conducting net impact analysis pursuant to the data practices requirements under chapters 13, 13A, 13B, and 13C.
2010 c 347 art 1 s 10; 2014 c 312 art 3 s 7; 1Sp2015 c 1 art 2 s 10-13
(a) For the purpose of this section, the following terms have the meanings given.
(c) "Eligible organization" includes, but is not limited to:
(1) community-based organizations experienced in serving women;
(2) employers;
(3) business and trade associations;
(4) labor unions and employee organizations;
(5) registered apprenticeship programs;
(6) secondary and postsecondary education institutions located in Minnesota; and
(7) workforce and economic development agencies.
(d) "High-wage, high-demand" means occupations that represent at least 0.1 percent of total employment in the base year, have an annual median salary which is higher than the average for the current year, and are projected to have more total openings as a share of employment than the average.
(e) "Low-income" means income less than 200 percent of the federal poverty guideline adjusted for a family size of four.
(f) "Nontraditional occupations" means those occupations in which women make up less than 25 percent of the workforce as defined under United States Code, title 20, section 2302.
(g) "Registered apprenticeship program" means a program registered under United States Code, title 29, section 50.
(h) "STEM" means science, technology, engineering, and math.
(i) "Women of color" means females age 18 and older who are American Indian, Asian, Black, or Hispanic.
(j) "Girls of color" means females under age 18 who are American Indian, Asian, Black, or Hispanic.
Subd. 2.Grant program.
The commissioner shall establish the women and high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional jobs grant program to increase the number of women in high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional occupations. The commissioner shall make grants to eligible organizations for programs that encourage and assist women to enter high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional occupations including but not limited to those in the skilled trades, and STEM occupations. The commissioner must give priority to programs that encourage and assist women of color to enter high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional occupations and STEM occupations.
(a) Grant funds awarded under this section may be used for:
(1) recruitment, preparation, placement, and retention of women, including women of color, low-income women and women over 50 years old, in registered apprenticeships, postsecondary education programs, on-the-job training, and permanent employment in high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional occupations;
(2) secondary or postsecondary education or other training to prepare women to succeed in high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional occupations. Activities under this clause may be conducted by the grantee or in collaboration with another institution, including but not limited to a public or private secondary or postsecondary school;
(3) innovative, hands-on, best practices that stimulate interest in high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional occupations among girls, increase awareness among girls about opportunities in high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional occupations, or increase access to secondary programming leading to jobs in high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional occupations. Best practices include but are not limited to mentoring, internships, or apprenticeships for girls in high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional occupations;
(4) training and other staff development for job seeker counselors and Minnesota family investment program (MFIP) caseworkers on opportunities in high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional occupations;
(5) incentives for employers and sponsors of registered apprenticeship programs to retain women in high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional occupations for more than one year;
(6) training and technical assistance for employers to create a safe and healthy workplace environment designed to retain and advance women, including best practices for addressing sexual harassment, and to overcome gender inequity among employers and registered apprenticeship programs;
(7) public education and outreach activities to overcome stereotypes about women in high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional occupations, including the development of educational and marketing materials;
(8) services to support women in high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional occupations including but not limited to assistance with balancing work responsibilities; skills training and education; family caregiving; financial assistance for child care, transportation, and safe and stable housing; workplace issues resolution; and access to advocacy assistance and services; and
(9) recruitment, participation, and support of girls of color in approved training programs or a valid apprenticeship program subject to section 181A.07, subdivision 7.
(b) Grant applications must include detailed information about how the applicant plans to:
(1) increase women's participation in high-wage, high-demand occupations in which women are currently underrepresented in the workforce;
(2) comply with the requirements under subdivision 3;
(3) use grant funds in conjunction with funding from other public or private sources; and
(4) collaborate with existing, successful programs for training, education, recruitment, preparation, placement, and retention of women of color in high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional occupations and STEM occupations.
(c) In awarding grants under this subdivision, the commissioner shall give priority to eligible organizations:
(1) with demonstrated success in recruiting and preparing women, especially low-income women, women of color, and women over 50 years old, for high-wage, high-demand, nontraditional occupations; and
(2) that leverage additional public and private resources.
(d) At least 50 percent of total grant funds must be awarded to programs providing services and activities targeted to low-income women and women of color.
(e) The commissioner of employment and economic development in conjunction with the commissioner of labor and industry shall monitor the use of funds under this section, collect and compile information on the activities of other state agencies and public or private entities that have purposes similar to those under this section, and identify other public and private funding available for these purposes.
(f) By January 15, 2019, and each January 15 thereafter, the commissioner must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees of the house of representatives and the senate having jurisdiction over workforce development that details the use of grant funds. If data is available, the report must contain data that is disaggregated by race, cultural groups, family income, age, geographical location, migrant or foreign immigrant status, primary language, whether the participant is an English learner under section 124D.59, disability, and status of homelessness.
2014 c 239 art 2 s 3; 2016 c 189 art 12 s 10