ST. PAUL, MN – Senator Julia Coleman (R-Waconia) recently introduced a bill to create a special designation for programs that provide students with clear pathways to seamlessly transition from high school to a career in skilled work and the trades. 

The ‘Skills Path’ designation would achieve this by highlighting career pathways for high school students to enter post-secondary programs and apprenticeship training.

Under Coleman’s bill, Skills Path programs would combine existing high school programs, such as Career and Technical Education and Youth Skills Training, with post-secondary enrollment (PSEO). This would allow students to earn college credits while completing high school along with opportunities for on-the-job training and employment.

“It’s critical to start career exposure and training in high school. And the Skills Path designation will serve as a strong marketing tool to help launch high school students onto clear pathways that lead to apprenticeships and jobs in skilled industries and the trades,” Coleman said. “Businesses across Minnesota are facing challenges in finding and hiring young people. I strongly believe the Skills Path will have a positive and long-term effect in expanding our state’s skilled workforce and growing the economy.” 

Additionally, grant funding would be available through the Skills Path program to help incent development of programs. Scholarship funds would also be offered to help students with the cost of materials and equipment. 

The Minnesota Department of Education’s Office of Higher Education and Department of Labor would establish an application to designate programs as a Skills Path. 

S.F. 3818 recently passed out of the Senate Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee and Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee. This bill will now be sent back to Higher Education for further consideration.