ST. PAUL, MN - The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) awarded 21 grants totaling $2,670,588 under the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) to train 1,333 lower-income individuals.
The Low Income Worker Training Program grants will cover the cost of training for training-ready individuals with incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty line.
"This will help Minnesotans get training for jobs in health care, manufacturing, accounting, and other great careers," said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. "Minnesota's strength is our world-class workforce. The Minnesota Jobs Skills Partnership will prepare more workers for better-paying careers.
In 2014, the MJSP awarded $1.7 million for 12 Low-Income Worker Training Program Grants, and that funding was expected to train 722 low-income individuals.
"The Low Income Worker Program is building a bridge for Minnesotans looking for better job opportunities and in-demand careers across the state," said DEED Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben. "This investment works to address racial employment disparity by providing Minnesotans with barriers to employment, and especially those from communities of color, the training they need to access living wage jobs."
MJSP Board member and business consultant Robert Campbell added, By leveraging relationships between organizations and training providers serving highly diverse populations, the state of Minnesota and individual trainees both achieve a very positive outcome. The Low Income Worker Training Program grants through the MJSP will continue to provide direct and sustainable progress.
The Low Income Worker Training Program grantees are:
Greater Bemidji-MN Innovation Institute, MN Innovation Institute-The Idea Circle, $198,000
Forty-eight individuals will receive training in one of two areas: CNC Machine Operator training, a 160-hour course that prepares trainees for certification from the National Institute of Metalworking Skills or Mechatronics, an 80-hour course providing entry-level skills into the technical careers of machine maintenance and machine repair. Recruitment and assessment will be coordinated among partnering organizations, and priority for training will be given to Native American and other minority groups, long-term unemployed, individuals moving off assistance, veterans and older workers.
Southwest MN Private Industry Council, Inc., Minnesota West Community and Technical College, $78,320
Located in Marshall, the Southwest MN Private Industry Council provides employment and training services to the 14-county area of southwestern Minnesota. In this project, 40 unemployed or low-income individuals will receive training to earn an industry-recognized credential that will help them begin or advance in a manufacturing career.
Workforce Development, Inc., Riverland Community College and South Central College, $200,000
Workforce Development, Inc., located in Rochester, delivers services through ten area offices in southeast Minnesota. With MJSP funding, their Healthcare Academy will focus on Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certification. Training will be provided in three levels, based on the needs of the participant: Pre-employment Academy; CNA training and certification; and LPN prerequisite courses.
Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, St. Cloud Technical and Community College, Anoka Technical College, Pine Technical and Community College, Ridgewater College, $198,000
Central Minnesota Jobs and Training operates employment and training programs in the 11-country Central Minnesota area. Through MJSP funding, 25 individuals will attend a Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program at one of four colleges.
Anoka County Job Training Center, Anoka Technical College, $154,000
This training project will provide 40 low-income individuals with the opportunity to complete Precision Sheet Metal Training. Outreach and recruitment will occur through the Anoka County WorkForce Center, colleges and employer partners. An industry orientation session will precede a 40-hour Shop Math course, provided by Metro North Adult Basic Education.
Southeast Asian Refugee Community Home, TSI CONNECT, LLC, $50,000
Forty low-income individuals will receive soldering skills training. Training will combine lecture and hands-on soldering skills through five modules, with each module averaging about 16 hours for completion. TSC Connect will provide job interview practice as a component of the training.
Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota, $82,995
Fifty low-income individuals will receive training for entry-level occupations in the financial and customer service industries. All participants work one-on-one with a career specialist to create a career or goal plan and to determine if remedial education and support services are needed.
Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio (CLUES), $71,924
With MJSP funding, CLUES will provide culturally relevant customer service training that will prepare 45 participants to attain jobs in call centers or office/reception positions. Participants must demonstrate they have the skills needed for success through an interview and assessment process. CLUES will also identify and address any barriers impacting the client's ability to succeed in the program and to obtain employment.
MN African Women's Association, North American Medical Academy, $99,671
The project will support 82 Pan-African women with training to become Certified Nursing Assistants/Home Health Aides and to plan for and advance along a career ladder.
Neighborhood House, RESOURCE, Inc., $92,675
Neighborhood House will partner with RESOURCE, Inc. to provide training for 32 low-income individuals that will prepare them to enter employment within accounting support or medical office support. Training is designed to meet the needs of individuals with low education/skill levels and/or barriers to employment.
Summit Academy OIC, Summit Academy OIC, St. Paul College, Hennepin County STS Homes Program, $137,500
Through MJSP funding, 110 low-income individuals will receive training that will provide them with certifications in pre-apprenticeship carpentry (with a variety of specialties), community health worker or pharmacy technician.
Community Action Duluth, Lake Superior College, $47,250
In partnership with Lake Superior College, Community Action Duluth will provide customer service representative training to prepare 24 participants for banking positions and other customer service representative positions. Training will include basic accounting and math, how to handle money in a bank, customer service, business and interpersonal communications, and an overview of banking careers.
Oshkiimaajitahdah Career Services, $100,000
Funding will support intermediate-level welding training for 30 low-income individuals. Nonprofit Niche Consulting will refer, recruit and screen potential participants. By using the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) welding coursework, participants will gain industry-recognized credentials in preparation for employment with local manufacturers.
Northwest Indian OIC, Optivation, Northwest Technical College and Bemidji State University, $164,302
Forty-eight individuals will complete training leading to industry-recognized certifications. Three training providers will deliver a comprehensive set of skills for the workplace as well as traditional worldview and methodology. Courses will be delivered on site in the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, the Red Lake Nation and Bemidji.
Twin Cities RISE, Dakota County Technical College, $70,445
Twin Cities Rise and Dakota County Technical College will provide 60 low-income individuals with Guest Operations Service Training, targeting entry-level positions in the hospitality industry of Guest Services Representative, Banquet Set-Up, and other entry-level customer service and hospitality positions.
Project for Pride in Living, (PPL), $138,985
Funding will support training for 100 low-income individuals via three training tracks: health care, banking and health care plus, designed to provide career advancement for CNAs with at least one year of experience.
American Indian OIC, Takoda Institute of Higher Education, $197,074
Ninety individuals will receive training based on feedback from employer advisory committees, employer partner surveys, and Minnesota Labor Market Information. Prospective participants will meet with a Takoda Institute career services representative who will complete assessments, help trainees map their career goals, and select training courses. Credentials earned can lead to advanced opportunities for entry-level employees.
Hmong American Partnership, Metropolitan Transportation Network, $103,940
Funds will be used to provide Commercial Driver's License Class B Training to 125 low-income individuals. The training partnership, including Metro Transit and Metropolitan Transportation Network, will target residents of St. Paul's East Side and Frogtown neighborhoods and the Twin Cities Metro.
Jewish Family and Children's Service of Minneapolis, Prime Digital Academy, $192,500
Funds will support 25 IT Pathways participants in advanced training delivered by Prime Digital Academy, a licensed private career school with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the only Minnesota-based coding boot camp.
Ramsey County Workforce Solutions, St. Paul College, $180,895
Ramsey County Workforce Solutions will partner with St. Paul College to assist 100 low-income residents to gain skills for obtaining employment and advancement through Project CLOVER. Funds will support training offered through St. Paul College related to preparation for employment in the fields of health care, human service, medical office or hospitality, management, customer services, sales.
HIRED, Adult Options in Education, $112,112
In partnership with Adult Options in Education, HIRED proposes a Culinary Skills training program for 100 participants. HIRED will also deliver a 42-hour Customer Service course addressing soft skills, teamwork and sales techniques resulting in a National Professional Certification in Customer Service.
The MJSP works strategically with businesses and educational institutions to train or retrain workers, expand work opportunities and keep high-quality jobs in the state. With support from Governor Mark Dayton and the Minnesota Legislature, the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Program has awarded $34.5 million since 2011 to train 37,554 workers and has leveraged $66.5 million in private funding.
