Section 1 [Dual Training Competency Grants], subdivision 1 [Program created] creates a program through the Department of Employment and Economic Development for training employees for occupations in advanced manufacturing, health care services information technology, and agriculture.

Subdivision 2 [Eligible grantees] permits employers to apply for grants under the program to train an employee lacking in a competency standard for a specified occupation, provided the employer has set goals to increase workforce diversity.

Subdivision 3 [Training institution or program] requires an employer to have an agreement with a training institution to provide employee competency standard training before applying for a grant.

Subdivision 4 [Application] describes information to be included on an application for a grant.

Subdivision 5 [Grant criteria] specifies the factors to be considered in awarding grants. This section requires that grants be made in equal dollar amounts for training employees whose work site is outside the metro area as for those whose work site is within the metro area. 

Subdivision 6 [Employer match] requires an employer who has more than $25 million in annual revenue to pay at least 25 percent of the cost of training under the grant program.

Subdivision 7 [Payment of grant] requires the commissioner to make grant payments to a training institution after being notified that the employer has paid the employer match.

Subdivision 8 [Grant amounts] sets a maximum grant amount and a maximum grant amount per employee. 

Subdivision 9 [Reporting] requires the commissioner to report annually to the Legislature on specified metrics and recommendations about the grant program.

Section 2 [Competency Standards for Dual Training], subdivision 1 [Duties; goal] requires the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to identify competency standards for dual training to provide current employees with training employment in the following occupations:  advanced manufacturing, health care services, information technology, and agriculture.  The identification of standards is not subject to rulemaking under statutes.

 Subdivision 2 [Definition; competency standard] defines “competency standard.”

Subdivision 3 [Competency standard identification process] requires the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to consult with the Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development and to convene industry experts to identify competency standards that are based on recognized international and national standards.

Subdivision 4 [Duties] requires the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to take specified actions to create competency standards and to engage communities, educational institutions, employers, and labor in specified ways about the standards and training.

Subdivision 5 [Notification] requires the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to communicate competency standards to the Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development and requires the standards to be maintained on the Department of Labor and Industry’s Web site.

Section 3 [Dual Training Competency Grants; Appropriation] appropriates money in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 from the general fund to the Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development for training grants.

Section 4 [Appropriation] appropriates money in fiscal year 2016 from the general fund to the Commissioner of Labor and Industry for identification of competency standards and to engage communities, educational institutions, employers, and labor in specified ways about the standards and training.