A Nebraska lawmaker is proposing a state grant program and a task force that would help draw workers into job fields that are critical to the economy.

Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha introduced two bills Tuesday that seek to grow the state work force in industries that are facing a worker shortage.

One measure would create a public-private partnership that would fund grants of up to $1,000 per school year for community college students. A state commission would oversee the program and work with community colleges, including tribal colleges, and the Department of Labor to identify fields where more workers are needed.

Lathrop also introduced a bill that would create a task force to study Nebraska's career-education opportunities. The commission would make suggestions to lawmakers by the year's end.