This bill, S.F. No. 2505, appropriates state funding for workforce development through the Gateways2Growth Initiative. It allocates $2,000,000 in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to the Center for African Immigrants and Refugees Organization (CAIRO) via the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

Key Components of the Bill:

1. Purpose of Funding:

   • Expanding IT workforce training, including full-stack development, cybersecurity, and business analysis, with job placement opportunities.
   • Increasing training opportunities for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) drivers to address shortages in transportation and logistics.
   • Supporting health care workforce development, including training for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), phlebotomists, and pharmacy technicians, with job placements and credentialing assistance.

2. Allocation of Funds:

   • Funds must be distributed equally between workforce development programs inside and outside the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area.
   • Priority will be given to:
     • Historically underserved communities, including immigrants, refugees, and rural populations.
     • Workers in need of reskilling due to economic displacement.
     • Underemployed individuals looking to enter high-demand fields.

3. Oversight & Reporting Requirements:

   • CAIRO, in collaboration with DEED, must submit an annual report to the legislature detailing:
     • Number of participants trained in IT, CDL, and health care sectors.
     • Employment outcomes and wage growth of graduates.
     • Regional distribution of participants.
     • Recommendations for expanding and sustaining the program.
   • The success of the initiative will be measured by:
     • Number of program graduates placed in full-time employment.
     • Average wage growth post-training.
     • Retention rates in the targeted industries.
     • Reduction in workforce shortages.

This bill aims to address workforce shortages in high-demand industries while supporting underserved communities in Minnesota.