ST. PAUL, MN - Today, Lt. Governor Tina Smith and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced 33 grants statewide totaling $9,001,424 to help low-income Minnesotans overcome employment barriers. Part of the state's new Pathways to Prosperity initiative, the job training grants will allow Minnesotans to quickly develop jobs skills needed in growing industries.
"The Pathways to Prosperity initiative will help more than 3,000 Minnesotans get training for jobs in health care, advanced manufacturing, information technology, and other great careers," said Lt. Governor Tina Smith.
"Minnesota's strength is that we have the people any company would love to employ. With the Pathways Initiative, our people will be ready to do the job.
Pathways to Prosperity programs focus on assisting low-skill, low-wage adults obtain occupational credentials and find employment. The initiative is supported by local partnerships between workforce development and human services programs, Adult Basic Education, and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
"Pathways to Prosperity is working to reduce employment disparities in our state," said DEED Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben.
"The program pairs traditional education with job training to help people find and keep jobs that pay family-sustaining wages and ensure businesses have the talent they need to complete."
With a labor shortage looming, Minnesota's greatest economic challenge in the coming decade will be to ensure that all adults are prepared to be a part of our workforce. The Pathways to Prosperity program will grow our economy by giving thousands of Minnesotans with barriers to employment the skills they need to get good-paying jobs.
Pathways to Prosperity Grant Recipients
This year, Governor Mark Dayton and the Minnesota Legislature invested $1.72 million in the Pathways to Prosperity initiative. This initiative consolidates funding from two related programs to serve more Minnesotans and create efficiencies. Overall, these resources will allow more than 3,000 Minnesotans to get needed training. A list of the programs receiving state grants is below.
AccessAbility Inc., Career and Educational Pathways (CEP), $300,000
Program participants will receive training in advanced manufacturing and construction industry sectors.
Anoka County Job Training Center, Anoka County Career Connections, $350,000
Trainees will have the opportunity to develop job skills in health care, precision sheet metal, business services. The program also offers the "Jump Start Your Success" initiative to help participants obtain a GED.
CAPI USA, Immigrant Career Pathways, $300,000
Participants will receive education needed for careers in manufacturing and early childhood education.
Central Minnesota Jobs and Training, Central Minnesota Pathways to Prosperity, $254,542
Minnesotans enrolled in the program will be able to develop welding, allied health, and manufacturing skills.
City Academy, Construction Career Choices, $99,725
Program participants will develop skills for careers in construction.
Comunidades Latinas Unidos En Servicio (CLUES), Finishing Trades Pathways to Prosperity Program, $120,000
Partners include CLUES, Finishing Trades Institute of the Upper Midwest, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, and commercial/industrial painting and drywall finishing contractors who seek to employ painters, drywall installers and other skilled workers.
East Side Neighborhood Services, Climb On! $300,000
This skill-based training will prepare participants for careers in health care and human services or hospitality management.
Emerge Community Development, Advanced Manufacturing Project, $350,000
Minnesotans enrolled in the program will develop in-demand skills for careers in welding and manufacturing.
Goodwill Industries, Transportation Career Pathway, $350,000
Specifically targeted for people of color and low-income individuals, participants enrolled in this program will be able to develop job skills for careers in the transportation industry.
Greater Bemidji Inc., MI2 Pathways to Prosperity, $300,000
This program will train Minnesotans for jobs in the manufacturing sector.
Hennepin County Human Services, Health Advocate Pathway, $300,000
Participants enrolled in the program will develop skills necessary for employment as a health advocate.
Hiawatha Valley Adult Basic Education, Hiawatha Valley Manufacturing Pathway Initiative, $160,000
This initiative will provide enrollees the opportunity to develop skills needed for welding and transportation careers.
HIRED, Career Pathways in Health Care, $350,000
Minnesotans enrolled in this program will prepare for jobs in health care and career navigation services.
HIRED, Green Construction Trades Careers, $300,000
Program participants will develop career skills needed in the high-demand green construction industry.
Hmong American Partnership, Manufacturing, Jobs, Training (MJT), $300,000
Enrollees will receive training for jobs in the fast growing manufacturing industry.
International Institute of Minnesota, Medical Career Pathway, $300,000
Minnesotans in the program will receive training for careers as nursing assistants.
Itasca County, Rural Success Pathways, $240,000
This initiative will provide enrollees a chance to develop skills needed for careers in health care, transportation, and the trades.
Jewish Family and Children's Service of Minneapolis, IT Pathways to Prosperity (IT P2P), $300,000
This initiative will provide Minnesotans training and career placement for jobs in the information technology sector.
Lifetrack Resources, Inc., Lifetrack Pathways Project, $400,000
This program will provide participants training and job placement for high-demand fields, including sewing, welding, and nursing.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Facilities Engineering Career Pathway Pilot, $160,000
This customized training program will provide enrollees the critical skills they need for facilities engineering jobs.
Minnesota Valley Action Council, South Central Career Pathways, $300,000
The program focuses on the top three employment industries in the region: manufacturing, health care/social assistance, and trade/transportation/utilities.
Neighborhood House, Pathways to Mechatronic, Maintenance and Custodial Careers, $300,000
This mechatronics and maintenance/custodial program will provide participants training in two high-growth areas of the economy.
Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training, Success Skills for Corrections Careers, $140,000
The Success Skills for Corrections Careers program consists of a literacy bridge, six courses, and a 200-hour internship opportunity for each participant.
Project for Pride in Living, Inc. (PPL), Public Sector Administrative Pathway, $300,000
This program will provide participants the opportunity to train for a jobs as public administrative professionals, earning a certificate-level credential in the process.
Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, Oshkiimaajitahdah Project, $400,000
This initiative will train participants to fill jobs in the construction and welding trades.
Renewable Energy Partners, Gateway to Solar Energy Careers and other Electrical Opportunities, $300,000
Program enrollees will develop the skills needed for employment in the solar energy sector.
Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc., Entering Career Paths, $300,000
The Entering Career Paths program will provide participants with short-terming training to match the needs of employers.
SOAR Career Solutions, Manufacturing Career Pathway Project, $96,000
Program participants will earn a machine operator certificate leading to employment opportunities including entry-level assemblers, production workers and machine operators.
Southeastern Minnesota Private Industry Council, Inc., Paraprofessional Training Academy, $271,500
The Paraprofessional Training Academy prepares participants for the ParaPro Assessment and to be effective in the classroom.
Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, Inc., Adult Career Transitions III in SW MN (ACT III SW), $349,657
This initiative will provide enrollees training for careers in manufacturing and health care.
Washington County WorkForce Center, Office Technology for the Workplace, $160,000
Minnesotans who enroll in this program will have a chance to earn a computer skills certificate for increased career opportunities.
Workforce Development, Inc., Bridges to Healthcare, $350,000
Program participants will be able to earn certificates for six different health care related jobs.
Workforce Development, Inc., Pathways to Manufacturing Careers, $200,000
This initiative will prepare enrollees for jobs in skilled manufacturing, machining, and food processing.
