Second Round of Dual-Training Grants Awarded

7/7/2016

 

Contact: Sandy Connolly, Director of Communications
Office of Higher Education
(651) 259-3902

St. Paul, MN -- Twenty-two Minnesota companies and education providers will receive state funding to begin on-the-job training programs for both current and new employees as part of the Minnesota PIPELINE Project.

The Dual Training Grants legislation, signed into law in 2014 by Gov. Mark Dayton, was created to give students the opportunity to earn while they learn, while at the same time helping businesses meet workforce needs. Four industries with high-demand, high-growth occupations have been identified to receive grants: advanced manufacturing, health care services, information technology and agriculture.

"As the cost of a postsecondary education continues to increase, students are finding it more and more difficult to complete or continue their education," said Commissioner Larry Pogemiller, Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE). "This round of grants will help 171 students learn new skills while they earn a paycheck--skills that could help them secure a good job or advance their career."

Fourteen of the new grants are being awarded to companies located in Greater Minnesota, with eight in the metro area. Nineteen of the grants are in advanced manufacturing, one in agriculture and two in information technology. The degrees and credentials being sought range from a Professional Certificate and Machine Tool Tech Diploma to an Associate of Science Degree.

OHE administers the dual-training grants, in collaboration with the Minnesota PIPELINE Project at the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). Grant funds can be used to cover students'/employees' tuition, fees and required materials for the related instruction training in PIPELINE Project occupations.

"By combining on-the-job training with classroom learning, the PIPELINE Project helps employers develop their workforce," said Ken Peterson, DLI commissioner. "Apprenticeships and dual-training have been successful in the United States and Europe for centuries. We are excited to continue to support them in Minnesota with this second round of grants."

Grants are being awarded to the following Minnesota organizations:

1. Adhesive Label, New Hope  Flexographic Tech
2. Anez Consulting, Inc., Willmar  University of Minnesota Extension
3. AWT Labels and Packaging, Minneapolis  Flexographic Tech
4. Cardinal Glass Industries, Northfield  South Central College
5. Computype, Inc., Roseville  Flexographic Tech
6. Cybex International, Owatonna  South Central College
7. Fairview Health Services, Minneapolis  Global Knowledge, New Horizon, Kepner Tregoe
8. Flexo Impression, Savage  Flexographic Tech
9. Gauthier Industries, Rochester  South Central College
10. Greater Bemidji, Bemidji  Minnesota Innovation Institute
11. Hormel Foods Corporation, Austin  Riverland Community College
12. JBS, Worthington  Minnesota West
13. Jones Metal, Mankato  South Central College
14. K&G Manufacturing, Faribault  South Central College
15. MN.IT Services, St. Paul  CED Solutions, New Horizons and Collier IT
16. Ornua Ingredients, North America, Byron  Riverland Community College
17. Sage Electrochromics, Faribault  South Central College
18. Sappi Fine Paper, Cloquet  Lake Superior College
19. SFC Global Supply Chain Inc., Marshall  Minnesota West Community College
20. UMC, Inc., Monticello  St. Cloud Technical and Community College
21. Viracon, Owatonna  Riverland Community College and South Central Community College
22. Yeager Machine, Inc., Norwood Young America  Ridgewater Community College and Alexandria Tech

For more information about dual-training grants, contact Sandy Connolly at 651-259-3902, or sandy.connolly@state.mn.us.

For more information about the Minnesota PIPELINE Project, contact Heather McGannon at (651) 284-5130 or heather.mcgannon@state.mn.us.