HF 2227

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/20/2017 04:27pm

A bill for an act
relating to labor and industry; modifying the pipeline dual-training programs;
appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 175.45.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 175.45, is amended to read:

175.45 deleted text begin COMPETENCY deleted text end STANDARDS FOR DUAL TRAINING.

Subdivision 1.

Duties; goal.

The commissioner of labor and industry shall new text begin convene
industry representatives, new text end identify new text begin occupational new text end competency standards deleted text begin for dual training deleted text end new text begin , and
provide technical assistance to develop dual-training programs new text end . deleted text begin The goal of dual training
is to provide employees of an employer with training to acquire competencies that the
employer requires. deleted text end The new text begin competency new text end standards shall be identified for employment in
occupations in advanced manufacturing, health care services, information technology, and
agriculture. Competency standards are not rules and are exempt from the rulemaking
provisions of chapter 14, and the provisions in section 14.386 concerning exempt rules do
not apply.

Subd. 2.

deleted text begin Definition; competency standards deleted text end new text begin Definitions new text end .

For purposes of this section,
new text begin the following terms have the meanings given them:
new text end

new text begin (1) new text end "competency standards" means the specific knowledge and skills necessary for a
particular occupation deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (2) "dual-training program" means an employment-based earn-as-you-learn program
where the trainee is employed by a participating employer and receives structured on-the-job
training and technical instruction in accordance with the competency standards.
new text end

Subd. 3.

Competency standards identification process.

In identifying competency
standards, the commissioner shall consult with the commissioner of the Office of Higher
Education and the commissioner of employment and economic development and convene
recognized industry experts, representative employers, higher education institutions,
representatives of the disabled community, and representatives of labor to assist in identifying
credible competency standards. Competency standards must be consistent with, to the extent
available and practical, recognized international and national standards.

Subd. 4.

Duties.

The commissioner shall:

(1) new text begin convene industry representatives to identify, develop, and implement dual-training
programs;
new text end

new text begin (2) new text end identify competency standards for deleted text begin entry level deleted text end new text begin entry-level new text end and higher skill levels;

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end verify the competency standards and skill levels and their transferability by subject
matter expert representatives of each respective industry;

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end develop models for Minnesota educational institutions to engage in providing
education and training to meet the competency standards established;

deleted text begin (4) deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end encourage participation by employers and labor in the new text begin competency new text end standard
identification process for occupations in their industry; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (5) deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end align deleted text begin dual training competency standards deleted text end new text begin dual-training programs new text end with other
workforce initiatives deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (7) provide technical assistance to develop dual-training programs.
new text end

Subd. 5.

Notification.

The commissioner must communicate identified competency
standards to the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education for the purpose of the deleted text begin dual
training deleted text end new text begin dual-training new text end competency grant program under section 136A.246. The commissioner
of labor and industry shall maintain the competency standards on the department's Web
site.

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $500,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2019 are appropriated from the
workforce development fund to the commissioner of labor and industry for the pipeline
program under Minnesota Statutes, section 175.45.
new text end