MN HF2499

Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall conduct a study in conjunction with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, industry groups, and labor unions on program requirements for certificates and diplomas.

Study must examine the feasibility of designing technical education programs allowing students to earn credentials with lower credit requirements that can be combined into higher level certificates or diplomas.

Study must consult with business and industry representatives, labor unions, and faculty regarding credential types recognized for employment purposes and the need for workers in various fields.

Study must address the feasibility of increasing capacity to accumulate credentials in related programs into an educational career path leading to a diploma or degree, and must account for job training programs provided by labor unions and business.

Board must report study findings to the legislative committees responsible for postsecondary education finance by February 15, 2011.