Extended Interview: Robbins talks about Trades

Rep. Kristin Robbins (R-Maple Grove) is working on legislation that would allow students to participate in construction internships that follow federal standards.

“We want to help young people get more involved in the trades and see other opportunities besides college,” says Robbins. “Right now 16 or 17 year olds in high school cannot be a part of construction internships, even though they can be in manufacturing and other spaces.”

Robbins wants to change that.

“There’s a federal OSHA standard that allows 16-17 year old to be on construction sites with very strict safety guidelines,” says Robbins. “So I’ve been working on a bill to allow that in Minnesota. It would follow the federal OSHA standard.”

Robbins says it’s another way to boost exposure to trades for young people. The bill has not formally been introduced yet.

Maple Grove