SF 1762

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 02:23am

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.
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new text begin (a) $....... is appropriated in fiscal year 2010 from the general fund to the
commissioner of employment and economic development for grants to nonprofit
organizations and employment and training services under chapter 116L, for programs
that encourage and assist women to enter nontraditional careers in the trades; manual
and technical occupations; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related
occupations; and green jobs. This appropriation may be matched dollar for dollar with any
resources available from the federal government for these purposes with priority given to
initiatives that have a goal of increasing by at least 10 percent the number of women in
occupations where women currently comprise less than 25 percent of the workforce. The
appropriation is available until expended.
new text end

new text begin (b) To be eligible for a grant under this section, a program must include at least
one of the following components:
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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;
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related occupations; and green jobs,
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 and 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; manual and technical
occupations; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related occupations;
and green jobs 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 occupation, information about on-the-job
realities for women in the particular occupation, 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-S 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; manual and technical
occupations; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related occupations;
and green jobs.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009.
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