ST. PAUL-The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has awarded workforce development grants totaling $2.2 million under the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership to train 2,744 workers.
"Minnesota is forecasted to have a shortage of more than 100,000 workers by 2020. We can't afford to leave Minnesotans unprepared for good job opportunities," said Lt. Governor Tina Smith in a news release. "These grants will help train thousands of Minnesotans, in every corner of our state, for diverse opportunities, including manufacturing and health care."
"Over 295,000 Minnesotans have received training funded by the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership program, which has seen tremendous success in preparing Minnesotans for careers of the future," said DEED Commissioner Shawntera Hardy in a news release. "These training grants are used to upgrade employees' skills and effectively make Minnesota businesses more competitive and desirable places to work."
Under the program, educational institutions and businesses work together to secure MJSP funding. Businesses initially meet with an accredited educational institution to explain their training needs and to learn options. Once they agree on a plan, the educational institution contacts DEED to determine eligibility for a grant. The following grants were awarded:
Hennepin Technical College and Antares Pharma, Inc., Plymouth - $49,437
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Thirty-five employees will participate in courses based on occupational need. The training will expand manufacturing processes, increase productivity and accuracy, and implement standardization across all product lines.
Local contact: Vanessa Roman, Hennepin Technical College, 763-488-2732
MN State University, Mankato and Mayo Clinic and Monarch Healthcare Management, Mankato - $48,929
Nine online training modules will enhance the knowledge and practice of licensed CNAs, LPNs, and RNs surrounding end-of-life care. Fifty-two employees will participate in the pilot program.
Local contact: Louise Dickmeyer, MSU, Mankato, 507-389-3283
MN State University, Mankato and Harmony Enterprises, Harmony - $31,148
Eight management-level employees will be trained to implement a company-wide Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). The curriculum will help leadership define a vision, identify issues, and establish goals and growth plans that will be shared with employees.
Local contact: Louise Dickmeyer, MSU, Mankato, 507-389-3283
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MN State University, Mankato and Jones Metal, Inc., Mankato - $46,686
All 105 employees - 20 of them new - will receive Lean training and Training Within Industry (TWI), to create and sustain a Lean Enterprise. Jones Metal, Inc. provides metal fabrication, products, engineering and design services.
Local contact: Louise Dickmeyer, MSU, Mankato, 507-389-3283
MN State University, Mankato and Winnebago Manufacturing, Blue Earth - $28,524
Winnebago Manufacturing is a small metal fabrication company with 35 employees. Eight employees will be trained to implement an EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), with the goal of improving product quality, accuracy and delivery, and to increase sales.
Local contact: Louise Dickmeyer, MSU, Mankato, 507-389-3283
Century College and Cerenity Senior Care, White Bear Lake - $49,068
A training program for 75 employees will focus on Assistive Feeding, End-of-Life Care, Restorative Care and Simulation Training. Century College will also include a Train-the-Trainer component for registered nurses and directors.
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Local contact: Sonja Simpson, Century College, 651-779-3235
Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Sil-Pro, LLC, Delano - $49,535
Seventy-five employees will receive training in one or more of the following areas: Root Cause & Risk Analysis/Problem Solving Techniques, Project Management, Fundamentals Liquid Silicon and Plastic Injection Molding/Machine Equipment Specific training, Emerging Leaders & Supervisors in Manufacturing, Excel Basics for Continuous Improvement, and SolidWorks.
Local contact: Matthew Salo, Anoka-Ramsey Community College, 763-433-1201
Anoka-Ramsey Community College and WSI, Monticello - $49,925
All 110 WSI employees will take part in at least one, possibly more, of the following courses: Tooling & Tooling Set-up, Technical Diagnosis, G&M CNC Coding, Advanced GD&T, Metrology in Manufacturing and Master Cam. The on-site training will include classroom training, workshops and related learning projects.
Local contact: Steve Jones, Anoka-Ramsey Community College, 763-433-1683
Alexandria Technical and Community College and Douglas Machine, Inc., Alexandria - $43,785
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Alexandria Technical & Community College will create a training platform to allow Douglas Machine to train 130 employees via short video training modules specific to Douglas Machine.
Local contact: Greg Sandeno, Alexandria Technical and Community College, 320-762-4553
Anoka-Ramsey Community College and APi Group, New Brighton - $350,000
Over a two-year period, 571 employees will receive training in Field Leadership Development and Skill Enhancement to expose trainees to new technology and work management processes.
Local contact: Steve Jones, Anoka-Ramsey Community College, 763-433-1683
Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Metro Mold & Design, Inc., Rogers- $300,000
Training will be provided to all 256 employees - 43 of them new. Courses include: CNC Technician Training & Application, Advanced Leadership Development & Application, Efficiency through Process Standardization, Advanced Blueprint Reading & Inspection, Lean Accounting, Robotics & Automation for Medical/Machining, and Technical Skills for the Plastic Industry. In addition, a Train-the-Trainer component will also be developed.
Local contact: Steve Jones, Anoka-Ramsey Community College, 763-433-1683
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Alexandria Technical and Community College and 3M, Alexandria and Staples - $221,309
Both 3M locations are undergoing infrastructure improvements and technology updates to meet growing global demands. A total of 488 employees will receive training to address skills gaps and prepare for future challenges. 3M plans to hire an additional 28 employees over the next two years.
Local contact: Greg Sandeno, Alexandria Technical and Community College, 320-762-4553
MN West Community and Technical College and Technical Services for Electronics, Jackson - $251,686
All 189 Technical Services for Electronics (TSE) employees - 40 of them new - will receive manufacturing training based on their occupation and training need. TSE, a medical device manufacturer of products that include complete catheter assemblies and ultrasound products, plans to hire an additional 40 employees during the next two years.
Local contact: Dawn Regnier, MN West Community and Technical College, 507-223-1313
Dakota County Technical College and Chart, Inc., New Prague - $300,000
Located in New Prague, Chart manufactures BioMedical and Distribution and Storage products. Entry-level and advanced welding training will be given to 351 employees, including 100 new hires, over the project period.
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Local contact: Steve Lommen, Dakota County Technical College, 651-423-8350
MN State University, Mankato and Manus Products, Inc., Waconia - $100,496
Manus Products, Inc. serves customers across the construction, transportation and manufacturing industries with adhesives, sealants, coatings, and tapes. Leadership, equipment troubleshooting and analytical skills training will be given to all 90 employees, at both the Waconia and Chaska locations.
Local contact: Louise Dickmeyer, MSU, Mankato, 507-389-3283
Century College and Bimbo Bakeries, Roseville and Fergus Falls - $284,369
Training will focus on high-demand, high-tech engineering skills. A total of 201 employees - including 37 new employees - will receive training relevant to their position.
Local contact: Sonja Simpson, Century College, 651-779-3235
The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership works with businesses and educational institutions to train or retrain workers, expand work opportunities and keep high-quality jobs in the state. The program has awarded $49.3 million since 2011 to train 57,510 workers and has leveraged $98.0 million in private funding.
