MN HF3533

Appropriates $390,000 in fiscal year 2017 from the general fund to the Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development for a grant to the Black Women's Business Alliance for the STEM-Afri Tech pilot program, available until June 30, 2019.

Funds must provide training to at least 50 women of color (females age 18 or older who are American Indian, Asian, Black, or Hispanic) in Microsoft Information Technology Academy training or other marketable business and entrepreneurial skills.

Training may include independent online learning, instructor-led workshops, certification preparation exercises, certification testing, and Microsoft Information Technology Academy participation.

The Black Women's Business Alliance may collaborate with other nonprofit community organizations to provide the training.

Commissioner must report to legislative committees with workforce development jurisdiction by January 15, 2019, on grant fund use with data disaggregated by race, cultural groups, family income, age, geographic location, migrant/immigrant status, primary language, disability, homelessness, and English learner status.