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Committee hears bipartisan bill to allow 16- and 17-year-olds office-based exposure to construction careers
Summary
Representative Ben Bakeberg asked the committee to allow 16‑ and 17‑year‑old students to participate in Youth Skills Training at centralized office or training locations operated by construction employers.
Representative Ben Bakeberg presented House File 2,238 to allow school districts to administer Youth Skills Training (YST) for construction‑trade exposure at central locations such as company headquarters or training centers, with the students working in office roles rather than on active job sites.
Bakeberg told the committee the bill aims to let 16‑ and 17‑year‑old students gain experience in construction‑adjacent occupations — project management, drafting, sales, marketing and interior design — at an employer’s office or training facility rather than an active construction site.
Kate Perushek, deputy commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), testified in opposition. DLI said the existing YST statute and approvals focus on five industry areas (advanced manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, health care and information technologies) chosen after labor market analysis and stakeholder engagement and that YST is not appropriate for construction in its current form. She recommended considering an MDE‑approved work‑based learning program as an alternative.
Supporters included local chambers, contractors and apprenticeship advocates. Tim Zunker of the Shakopee Chamber said the change would help address projected workforce declines and create safe, centralized training pathways. Contractors and employers described real‑world apprenticeship backgrounds, urged expanding pathways, and said the office‑based exposure would introduce students to industry careers and, in some cases, paid onsite learning.
Several members, including Co‑Chair Pinto and Representative Mueller, urged continued conversations with DLI and the building trades about language and specific child‑labor law exemptions. Representative Pinto said the bill’s exemption language that would allow work “notwithstanding any conflicting child labor laws” raised child‑welfare concerns and urged the author to narrow statutory references.
Representative Bakeberg said he and stakeholders are already discussing language changes and welcomed further edits from DLI and the trades. The committee laid House File 2,238 over for further consideration.
