MN HF2291

Adds a nonvoting advisor position to the Governor's Workforce Development Council with expertise in assisting women in obtaining employment in nontraditional occupations.

Requires the commissioner to report annually to the legislature on workforce program outcomes, including data on participant demographics, occupations, geography, advancement salaries, and the gender pay gap within occupations.

Establishes the women and nontraditional jobs grant program to increase women's participation in high-wage, high-demand occupations where women comprise less than 25 percent of the workforce, including skilled trades and STEM fields.

Specifies that grant funds may support recruitment, training, placement, retention, workplace safety initiatives, and outreach activities, with at least 50 percent of funds targeted to women earning less than 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines.

Appropriates $500,000 in fiscal year 2015 to the Department of Employment and Economic Development for the grant program and $250,000 to the Department of Labor and Industry to promote women's apprenticeships in nontraditional occupations.