Section 1, subdivision 1, specifies that certain workforce areas outside of the metro area must have a career counseling coordinator.

Subdivision 2 provides the responsibilities for the rural career counseling coordinators, including:  understanding the needs of area businesses; connecting job seekers, employers, and other stakeholders and partners; providing services to job seekers; assessing and compiling information about workforce development programs and services offered; making recommendations to the commissioner of DEED; sharing best practices and collaborating with other coordinators; promoting workforce development programs and resources in the workforce service area.

Subdivision 3 requires the workforce council of each workforce service area with a career counseling coordinator to report on activities of the career counseling coordinators and other workforce center-specific information and outcomes.  Requires the commissioner of DEED to consolidate the reports for submission to the legislature.

Section 2 appropriates $2.25 million in fiscal year 2016 from the general fund for up to nine rural career counseling coordinators.

Section 3, paragraph (a), appropriates $10 million in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 from the general fund, and $3.5 million in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 from the workforce development fund for the Minnesota youth program.  The purpose of the Minnesota youth program is to improve employability, enhance basic education skills, encourage high school completion, provide educational, career, and life skills counseling, and other assistance for eligible youth applicants.

Paragraph (b). Of the total amounts in paragraph (a), appropriates $6 million each year from the general fund and $2 million each year from the workforce development fund for distribution to certain workforce areas located outside the metro area for employment and career counseling to youth, including career counseling in kindergarten through grade 12 schools to provide support services, and to provide work experience to youth in the workforce service areas.  Allows funds and activities under paragraph (b) to serve all youth up to age 24.  Currently, under the Minnesota youth program, use of funds is limited to economically disadvantaged, at-risk youth, and applies only to ages 14 to 21. 

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