Employers: $3.7M in new grants available for dual-training program creation, expansion

A new round of $3.7 million in grants is available April 16, 2018, to help Minnesota employers create or expand dual-training programs in advanced manufacturing, agriculture, health care services or information technology industries.

The grants are part of the Minnesota PIPELINE Program, which was established by the Minnesota Legislature in 2014 to expand dual-training and apprenticeship programs.

"For more than three years, this program has helped students learn the skills they need to help them secure a new job or advance their career, while at the same time earning a paycheck," said Commissioner Larry Pogemiller, Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

The program was created to give students the opportunity to earn while they learn, while at the same time helping businesses meet workforce needs. Since the program began, 83 grants have been awarded for close to $3.3 million. It is estimated that as many as 671 employees have benefited from the grant program.

"By combining on-the-job training with classroom learning, the PIPELINE Program helps employers develop their workforce," said Commissioner Ken Peterson, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. "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 next round of grants."

How to apply for a dual-training grant

The request for applications and other grant materials were released Monday, April 16. Employers or a membership organization applying on behalf of employers must submit completed online applications by May 21, 2018, and supporting application documents by May 25, 2018.

The application includes information about the student/employee 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 for each student/employee. Grantees will be selected by July 2018 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.

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James Honerman
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