1.1A bill for an act1.2relating to higher education; requiring the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota 1.3State Colleges and Universities to study technical education credentials.1.4BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:1.5    Section 1. STUDY OF CERTIFICATES AND DIPLOMAS; EDUCATIONAL 1.6CAREER PATH.1.7The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, in 1.8conjunction with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, representatives of industry 1.9groups, and labor unions, shall study the program requirements for certificates and 1.10diplomas awarded by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to determine the 1.11feasibility of designing technical education programs to allow students to have more 1.12opportunities to earn credentials with lower credit requirements that could be combined 1.13into higher level certificates or diplomas. The study must consult with business and 1.14industry representatives as well as labor unions and faculty on the types of credentials that 1.15would be recognized for employment purposes. In addition, the study must address the 1.16feasibility of increasing the capacity to accumulate credentials in related programs into 1.17an educational career path leading to a diploma or degree. The study must also address 1.18the need for workers in other fields and take into account other job training programs 1.19provided by labor unions and business.1.20The board must report the study findings to the committees of the legislature with 1.21responsibility for postsecondary education finance by February 15, 2011.