HF 1829

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to employment; appropriating money for grants
to encourage women to enter nontraditional careers.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; GRANT ELIGIBILITY.
new text end

new text begin $900,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of employment and economic development for grants
to nonprofit organizations for programs that encourage and
assist women to enter nontraditional careers in the trades and
in manual and technical occupations. The appropriation is
available until June 30, 2007.
new text end

new text begin To be eligible for a grant under this section, a program
must include at least one of the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) outreach to girls and women through public and private
elementary, junior high and high schools, appropriate community
organizations, or existing state and county employment and
training programs. The outreach must consist of general
information concerning opportunities for women in the trades,
manual, and technical occupations, including specific fields
where worker shortages exist and specific information about
training programs offered. The outreach may include printed or
recorded information, hands-on experiences for women and girls,
presentations to women and girls, or ongoing contact with
appropriate staff; or
new text end

new text begin (2) assistance for women to enter careers in the trades and
technical occupations as follows:
new text end

new text begin (a) training designed to prepare women to succeed in
nontraditional occupations, conducted by the grantee or in
collaboration with another institution. The training shall
cover the knowledge and skills required for the trade,
information about on-the-job realities for women in the
particular trade, physical strength, and stamina training as
needed, opportunities for developing workplace problem-solving
skills, and information about the current and projected future
job market and likely career paths;
new text end

new text begin (b) assistance with child care and transportation during
training, job search, and the first two months of employment for
low-income women;
new text end

new text begin (c) job placement assistance during and for at least two
years after completion of the training program; and
new text end

new text begin (d) job retention support. This may take the form of
mentorship programs, support groups, or ongoing staff contact
for at least the first year of placement in a job after
completion of training, and should include access to job-related
information, assistance with workplace issues resolution, and
access to advocacy.
new text end

new text begin Approved programs must be accessible to MFIP-S participants
and other low-income women. Factors that contribute to
accessibility include: (i) affordability of tuition and
supplies; (ii) geographic proximity to low-income neighborhoods,
child care, and transportation routes; and (iii) flexibility of
hours per week and duration of program to be compatible with
family needs and the need for employment during training.
new text end

new text begin All state-funded employment and training programs shall
include information about opportunities for women in
nontraditional careers in the trades and technical occupations.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
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new text begin Section 1 is effective July 1, 2005.
new text end