Department of Labor and Industry announces Labor Education Advancement Program grant recipients

Twelve organizations across Minnesota will receive funding to facilitate the participation and retention of people of color, Indigenous people and women in registered apprenticeship through the Labor Education Advancement Program (LEAP) grant.

Apprenticeship is an earn-as-you-learn workforce training model that allows people to earn a good living while mastering in-demand skills. Apprentices receive classroom instruction and on-the-job training with the industry-specific knowledge needed to perform highly skilled work. At the end of their apprenticeship, they will have the skills and training necessary to be successful in a high-demand industry and earn a nationally recognized credential.

Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan’s One Minnesota Budget included $1 million for LEAP grants to facilitate the participation or retention of people of color, Indigenous people and women in registered apprenticeship programs.

“The earn-and-learn apprenticeship model helps employers build their business and gives employees the skills they need for a life-long career,” said Nicole Blissenbach, DLI commissioner. “These grants will bring the benefits of apprenticeship programs to even more workers throughout Minnesota.”

LEAP grants will be awarded to the following organizations. Recipients will use the funding to increase apprenticeship participation through various means including outreach, education, assessment, preparation, support services, instruction, training, placement and retention activities.

• Carpenters Training Institute (Carpenters and Joiners Apprenticeship and Journeyman Training Trust Fund) - $91,919

• Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, Inc. - $50,000

• Construction Careers Foundation - $30,000

• EMERGE Community Development - $100,000

• Finishing Trades of the Upper Midwest - $99,120

• Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota (Goodwill Industries, Inc.) - $99,548

• International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology - $47,000

• Karen Organization of Minnesota - $100,000

• Minneapolis Electrical JATC - $100,000

• Minnesota/North Dakota Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Journeyman and Apprenticeship Training Trust Fund - $100,000

• Urban League Twin Cities - $100,000

•  Wells Academy - $69,800

For more information, visit apprenticeshipmn.com or contact Apprenticeship Minnesota at dli.apprenticeship@state.mn.us or 651-284-5090.

Media contact:  James Honerman at 651-284-5313 or james.honerman@state.mn.us.