Subdivision 1.Establishment.

The commissioner shall award grants to eligible organizations for the purpose of providing workforce development and training opportunities to economically disadvantaged or at-risk youth ages 14 to 24.

Subd. 2.Definitions.

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For purposes of this section:

(1) “eligible organization” or “eligible applicant” means a local government unit, nonprofit organization, community action agency, or a public school district;

(2) “at-risk youth” means youth classified as at-risk under section 116L.56, subdivision 2; and

(3) “economically disadvantaged” means youth who are economically disadvantaged as defined in the rules and regulations of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

Subd. 3.Competitive grant awards.

(a) In awarding competitive grants, priority shall be given to programs that:

(1) provide students with information about education and training requirements for careers in high-growth, in-demand occupations;

(2) serve youth from communities of color who are underrepresented in the workforce; or

(3) serve youth with disabilities.

(b) Eligible organizations must have demonstrated effectiveness in administering youth workforce programs and must leverage nonstate or private sector funds.

(c) New eligible applicants must be youth-serving organizations with significant capacity and demonstrable youth development experience and outcomes to operate a youth workforce development project.

(d) If a program is not operated by a local unit of government or a workforce development board, the grant recipient must coordinate the program with the local workforce development board.

Subd. 4.Reports.

Each grant recipient shall report to the commissioner in a format to be determined by commissioner.