HF 2139

as introduced - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026) Posted on 03/10/2025 02:46pm

A bill for an act
relating to workforce development; appropriating money for the Gateways2Growth
Initiative to expand training in information technology, transportation, and health
care across the state; requiring a report.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $2,000,000 in fiscal
year 2027 are appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of employment and
economic development for a grant to the Center for African Immigrants and Refugees
Organization (CAIRO) to implement the Gateways2Growth Initiative.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Gateways2Growth. new text end

new text begin CAIRO may use grant proceeds for the Gateways2Growth
Initiative including:
new text end

new text begin (1) IT workforce training, including (i) expanding access to full-stack development,
cybersecurity, and business analysis training programs and (ii) partnering with statewide
employers to facilitate hiring and paid internships for IT trainees;
new text end

new text begin (2) commercial driver's license (CDL) training, including (i) expanding training
opportunities for new CDL drivers to address Minnesota's critical shortage in transportation
and logistics and (ii) partnering with trucking companies to provide job placements and
apprenticeship programs; and
new text end

new text begin (3) health care workforce development, including (i) training certified nursing assistants,
phlebotomists, pharmacy technicians, and other essential health care professionals to meet
Minnesota's growing demand in long-term care facilities and hospitals and (ii) collaborating
with statewide health care providers to support job placement, credentialing, and licensure.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Allocation. new text end

new text begin (a) CAIRO shall distribute grant proceeds equally between workforce
programs inside and outside the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area.
new text end

new text begin (b) Priority must be given to (1) individuals from historically underserved communities,
including immigrants, refugees, and rural populations; (2) workers seeking reskilling or
career transitions due to economic displacement; and (3) underemployed individuals looking
to enter high-demand fields with strong career growth potential.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Oversight and reporting requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) At the conclusion of each fiscal
year, CAIRO, in collaboration with the commissioner of employment and economic
development, shall submit a report to the legislature detailing:
new text end

new text begin (1) the number of participants enrolled in each of the following training sectors: IT,
CDL, and health care;
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new text begin (2) the employment outcomes and wage growth of program graduates;
new text end

new text begin (3) the regional distribution of participants, ensuring equitable access inside and outside
the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area; and
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new text begin (4) recommendations for program expansion and sustainability.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of employment and economic development shall ensure
transparency and accountability in the disbursement of money appropriated under this
section and program execution.
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new text begin (c) The report required under paragraph (a) must measure the success of the
Gateways2Growth Initiative by detailing the:
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new text begin (1) total number of program graduates placed into full-time employment;
new text end

new text begin (2) average wage growth of participants post-training;
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new text begin (3) retention rates in IT, CDL, and health care professions; and
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new text begin (4) reduction in workforce shortages for targeted industries.
new text end