SF 2527

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/12/2014 09:02am

A bill for an act
relating to economic development; establishing pilot programs to develop
competency standards for apprenticeships in precision manufacturing, health
care services, and information technology; appropriating money; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 181A.07, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 181A.07, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

Subd. 7.

Approved training programs.

The commissioner may grant exemptions
from any provisions of sections 181A.01 to 181A.12 for minors participating in training
programs approved by the commissioner; or students in a valid apprenticeship program
taught by or required by a trade union, the commissioner of education, the commissioner
of employment and economic development, the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State
Colleges and Universities, or the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota.

Sec. 2. PILOT PROGRAMS; PRECISION MANUFACTURING AND HEALTH
CARE SERVICES.

The commissioner of labor and industry shall establish pilot programs to develop
competency standards for apprenticeship programs in precision manufacturing and health
care services. The pilot programs shall be administered by the registered apprenticeship
program within the Department of Labor and Industry. In establishing the pilot programs,
the commissioner may convene recognized industry experts and representative employers
to assist in defining credible competency standards acceptable to the information
technology and health care services industries.

Sec. 3. PILOT PROGRAM; INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.

The commissioner of employment and economic development shall establish a pilot
program to develop competency standards for an information technology apprenticeship
program. In establishing the pilot program, the commissioner may convene recognized
industry experts and representative employers to define credible competency standards
acceptable to the information technology industry.

Sec. 4. OUTCOMES.

The outcomes expected from each of the pilot programs listed in sections 1 and
2 include:

(1) establishment of competency standards for entry level and at least two additional
higher skill levels for apprenticeship training in each industry;

(2) verification of competency standards and skill levels and their transferability by
representatives of each respective industry;

(3) clarification of ways for Minnesota educational institutions to engage in
providing training to meet the competency standards established; and

(4) participation from the identified industry sectors.

Sec. 5. APPROPRIATION.

(a) $200,000 in fiscal year 2015 is appropriated from the workforce development
fund to the commissioner of labor and industry for the pilot programs in section 1. This
appropriation is available until June 30, 2017.

(b) $100,000 in fiscal year 2015 is appropriated from the workforce development
fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development for the pilot program
in section 2. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2017.