Purpose

• The bill provides funding to support a specific workforce development effort. It creates a one-time grant to Wallin Education Partners to help underresourced participants with career development and pathways into construction and health care jobs.

Main Provisions

• Amount and timing: Appropriates $750,000 in fiscal year 2027.
• Source: Funds come from the workforce development fund.
• Allocation: The money goes to the commissioner of employment and economic development to award a grant to Wallin Education Partners.
• Program objectives: To support Wallin Education Partners’ career development program, which includes career exploration, skill-building, mentoring, direct talent pipeline development, and early employment readiness for underresourced participants.
• Expanded pathways: The funds may be used to expand Wallin’s construction and health care pathways programs, including advising, hands-on learning, and work-based experience designed to prepare participants for careers in construction, health care, and related fields.
• Nature of funding: This is a one-time appropriation.

Significance and Changes to Law

• This bill does not create a broad new law or ongoing policy change; it provides a targeted, one-time appropriation to support a specific partner and its programs.
• It authorizes a grant through the Department of Employment and Economic Development to Wallin Education Partners, adding targeted funding for career development and industry-specific pathways.

Potential Impacts

• More underresourced participants may gain exposure to career opportunities and hands-on training in construction and health care.
• The programs aim to build early job readiness and a talent pipeline, potentially improving short-term employment outcomes and aligning education with industry needs.

Relevant Terms - Wallin Education Partners - career development program - career exploration - skill building - mentoring - direct talent pipeline development - early employment readiness - underresourced participants - construction pathways - health care pathways - advising - hands-on learning - work-based experience - workforce development fund - commissioner of employment and economic development - fiscal year 2027 - one-time appropriation - grant