ST. PAUL – A task force formed through legislation Rep. Dean Urdahl, R-Acton Township, authored to help Minnesota’s education system better match the state’s workforce needs is taking flight.
The 21-member Career Pathways and Technical Education Advisory Task Force will offer recommendations to the Legislature on how to structurally redesign secondary and postsecondary education in the state to meet workforce demands. A number of people who have expertise in the preparation and transition from K-12 to higher education are on the panel.
“One thing we need to examine is how to better inform students about career options, occupational trends and educational paths that can put them on track for long-term success,” Urdahl said. “Minnesota is experiencing a skills gap, where a demand for certain skills is not being met by our workforce. There are cases where good jobs remain unfilled due to a lack of qualified applicants. It will be helpful bring experts together to look at how we can bridge that gap.”
The task force’s first meeting is Aug. 12. It is required to provide recommendations to the Legislature’s leaders on K-12 education committees by Feb. 15.
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Dean Urdahl represents District 18A in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Rep. Urdahl can be contacted by email at rep.dean.urdahl@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-4344. To receive email updates sign-up on his webpage at www.house.mn/18a.