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The Youth Skills Training (YST) program encourages, promotes and supports the development of local partnerships between schools, employers and community organizations. These local partnerships provide students with related classroom instruction, safety training, industry-recognized credentials and paid work experience in high-growth and high-demand occupations in the industries of advanced manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, health care and information technology. Successful applicants will demonstrate the ability to achieve these objectives through various means including outreach, education, training and supportive services for students.

Grants

View information about YST grants. Grant applications are currently closed.

Round seven grant timeline

  • Jan. 8 to Feb. 9, 2024:  Grants applications accepted

  • Feb. 23 to March 15, 2024:  Grant review period

  • April 16, 2024:  Grant recipients announced

  • July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026:  Grant performance period

YST@DLI program approval

YST programs are composed of a minimum of one school partner and one employer partner. They may include multiple schools, employers and community organizations.  

School partners do not need to go through a formal approval process, but should meet with YST staff to demonstrate a plan to provide the following:

  • meaningful industry exposure for diverse students,

  • an offering of at least one industry-related course for high school credit,

  • a pathway to industry-recognized certification/credentialing, and

  • paid work experiences in one or more of the following industries: advanced manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, health care and information technology. 

Employers must be approved for YST paid work experiences prior to student learners being placed at employer sites. Download employer approval forms

Programs are not required to be a YST grant recipient to become an approved YST program. 

Program guide

The Youth Skills Training Program Guide provides resources to create a new Youth Skills Training program or enhance an existing program.

YST grants awarded 

General information about YST@DLI

More information

Questions?

Rich Wessels, project manager, rich.wessels@state.mn.us or 651-284-5184