New Round of Dual-Training Grants Address Worker Shortage with On-the-Job Training

 

News Release
April 1, 2019
Contact: Sandy Connolly (651) 259-3902

Filling deadline is May 10

A new round of $2.7M in grants is available to help Minnesota employers create or expand dual-training programs in advanced manufacturing, agriculture, health care services or information technology industries.

The grants strengthen the work of the Minnesota PIPELINE Program, which supports employers in creating or enhancing a competency based dual-training approach where workers receive a combination of related instruction strategically paired with on-the-job training.

“The dual-training program is a proven success, helping employers meet their changing workforce needs while at the same time providing career and training advancement opportunities to employees,” said Dennis Olson, Commissioner of Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE). “Forty-one companies shared in the last round of $2.1M in grants; we look forward to awarding even more grants this year.”

The program was created to give workers the opportunity to earn while they learn, while at the same time helping businesses meet workforce needs. Since the program began, a total of 124 grants have been awarded for over $4.2 million. It is estimated that as many as 913 employees have benefited from the grant program.

"We are excited to support Minnesota employers with this new round of grants,” said Commissioner Nancy Leppink, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. “Apprenticeships and dual-training are successful models because they combine on-the-job training with classroom learning and help employers improve retention and recruitment.”

How to apply for a dual-training grant

Applications and other grant materials are at /mPg.cfm?pageID=2196. Employers or a representative applying on behalf of employers must submit completed online applications by May 10, 2019.

The application includes information about the student/employees receiving the training and the training provider the employer is partnering with to provide the related instruction. The maximum total grant application is $150,000, not to exceed $6,000 per student/employee. Grantees will be selected by July 2019 and grant funds will be available for the following academic year.

Technical assistance will be available to assist employers interested in applying for PIPELINE Program Dual Training Grants. For more information, send an email message to PIPELINE.Program@state.mn.us.