HF 2676

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/03/2014 03:13pm

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; GRANTS TO ENCOURAGE WOMEN TO
ENTER NONTRADITIONAL JOBS.
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new text begin (a) $....... is appropriated in fiscal year 2015 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, 2016.
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new text begin (b) To be eligible for a grant under this section, a program must include at least
one of the following:
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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
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new text begin (2) assistance for women to enter careers in the trades and technical occupations
as follows:
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new text begin (i) 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;
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new text begin (ii) assistance with child care and transportation during training, job search, and the
first two months of employment for low-income women;
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new text begin (iii) job placement assistance during and for at least two years after completion of
the training program; and
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new text begin (iv) 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.
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new text begin (c) Approved programs must be accessible to MFIP participants and other
low-income women. Factors that contribute to accessibility include: (1) affordability of
tuition and supplies; (2) geographic proximity to low-income neighborhoods, child care,
and transportation routes; and (3) flexibility of hours per week and duration of program to
be compatible with family needs and the need for employment during training.
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new text begin (d) 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