Minnesota Agencies

The board replaces the Governor's Workforce Development Council and assumes the duties under the Workforce Investment Act. Additionally, the board, under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), shall assist the Governor in: developing, implementing, and modifying the state plan; reviewing statewide policies and programs; providing recommendations on actions to align and improve the workforce development system and programs; developing strategies to identify and remove barriers for better alignment; supporting career pathways; providing outreach to individuals and employers benefiting from the system; developing and updating comprehensive state performance accountability measures; and disseminating best practices.

The Board's 2017 Minnesota Momentum report states: "With the passage of WIOA in 2014, the name changed from the Governor's Workforce Development Council to the Governor's Workforce Development Board. There were also significant changes to the composition and role of the Board to ensure that there is a majority of private sector members on the Board, as mandated by federal law."

The governor's Workforce Development Board is composed of members appointed by the governor. In selecting the representatives of the board, the governor shall ensure that a majority of the members come from the private sector, pursuant to United States Code, title 29, section 3111. For the public members, membership terms, compensation of members, and removal of members are governed by Minn. Stat. 15.059, sub. 2-4. To the extent practicable, the membership should be balanced as to gender and ethnic diversity.

No person shall serve as a member of more than one of the categories described below.

Voting members shall consist of the following:

• the governor or the governor's designee;
• two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of the house and one appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives;
• two members of the senate, one appointed by the senate majority leader and one appointed by the senate minority leader;
• a majority of the members must be representatives of businesses in the state appointed by the governor who:
  • are owners of businesses, chief executives, or operating officers of businesses, or other business executives or employers with optimum policy-making or hiring authority and who, in addition, may be members of a local board under United States Code, title 29, section 3122(b)(2)(A)(i);
  • represent businesses, including small businesses, or organizations representing businesses that provide employment opportunities that, at a minimum, include high-quality, work-relevant training and development in in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the state; and
  • are appointed from individuals nominated by state business organizations and business trade associations;
• six representatives of labor organizations appointed by the governor, including:
  • representatives of labor organizations who have been nominated by state labor federations; and
  • a member of a labor organization or a training director from a joint labor organization;
• commissioners of the state agencies with primary responsibility for core programs identified within the state plan including:
  • the Department of Employment and Economic Development;
  • the Department of Education; and
  • the Department of Children, Youth, and Families;
• two chief elected officials, appointed by the governor, collectively representing cities and counties;
• two representatives of community-based organizations, appointed by the governor, that have demonstrated experience and expertise in addressing the employment, training, or education needs of individuals with barriers to employment; and
• four officials responsible for education programs in the state, appointed by the governor, including chief executive officers of community colleges and other institutions of higher education, including:
  • the chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities;
  • the president of the University of Minnesota;
  • a president from a private postsecondary school; and
  • a representative of career and technical education and
• the chair or executive director of the Minnesota Association of Workforce Boards.

The nonvoting members of the board shall be appointed by the governor and consist of one of each of the following:

1. a representative of public libraries;
2. a person with expertise in women's economic security;
3. the commissioner of labor and industry;
4. the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education;
5. the commissioner of corrections;
6. the commissioner of management and budget;
7. two representatives of community-based organizations who are people of color or people with disabilities who have demonstrated experience and expertise in addressing the employment, training, and education needs of individuals with barriers to employment;
8. a representative of school-based service learning;
9. a representative of the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans;
10. a representative of the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs;
11. a representative of the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage;
12. a representative of the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council;
13. a representative of the Minnesota State Council on Disability; and
14. a representative of the Office on the Economic Status of Women; and
15. the commissioner of human services.

The governor shall designate a chair from among the appointed business representative voting members.