HF5047

Purpose

• Establish funding to support a workforce development training program in Minnesota. The goal is to help Minnesota residents gain workforce credentials and secure jobs, with a focus on Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities and Liberian residents in health care and industrial trades.

Main provisions

• Funding and recipient:
  • An appropriation of $250,000 from the workforce development fund in fiscal year 2027 for a grant to the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota (OLM).
  • OLM is tasked with serving as the lead administrator for the program.
• Implementation and partners:
  • OLM must coordinate with accredited training providers, community colleges, employers, and government partners to deliver sector-focused training and credential attainment.
• Use of funds:
  • Funds may cover participant stipends, tuition fees, training materials, equipment, credentialing exams, and supportive services such as transportation and child care.
• Program goals and timeline:
  • The program aims for credential attainment and job placement within six months of program completion.
  • Annual progress reports must detail enrollment, credentials earned, and placements.
• Funding baseline for future years:
  • The base for this appropriation is $250,000 in fiscal year 2028 and $0 in fiscal year 2029.

Implementation and oversight

• Lead administration:
  • OLM is designated as the lead administrator and must coordinate with accredited training providers, community colleges, employers, and government partners to deliver the training and credentialing.
• Reporting:
  • Annual progress reports are required to monitor enrollment, credentials earned, and placements.

Significance and impact

• This bill creates a targeted investment in workforce development aimed at expanding access to training and credentials for residents, with explicit emphasis on Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities and Liberian residents, particularly in health care and industrial trades.
• It uses a sector-focused approach (health care and industrial trades) and includes comprehensive supports to reduce barriers to participation.

Changes to existing law

• The bill primarily provides an appropriation and program administration framework. It designates a lead administrator (OLM) and outlines allowable uses of funds, reporting, and partnership structures. No other statutory changes are described.

Relevant Terms - workforce development fund - grant - Organization of Liberians in Minnesota (OLM) - commissioner of employment and economic development - DEED (department of employment and economic development) - accredited training providers - community colleges - employers - government partners - sector-focused training - credential attainment - job placement - six months - annual progress reports - enrollment - credentials earned - placements - Black Indigenous and people of color communities (BIPOC) - Liberian residents - health care - industrial trades - participant stipends - tuition fees - training materials - equipment - credentialing exams - supportive services - transportation - child care - fiscal year 2027 - fiscal year 2028 - fiscal year 2029