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DirectionsMinnesota Dual-Training Pipeline
Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline supports employers with creating or enhancing a competency based, earn-and-learn dual-training approach to meeting their workforce needs. With Pipeline, workers receive a combination of related instruction paired with on-the-job training.
2025 draft competency models
Competency standards are the specific knowledge and skills necessary to work in a particular occupation. It is important that Pipeline’s competency models are reflective of the latest recognized standards and that they are consistent in format. As part of Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline’s efforts to stay current with competency standards for key occupations, we have worked to update our competency models and invite you to review these updated drafts.
Provide your input: As leaders in the industries we serve, we invite your input. If you have any suggestions or edits to any of the competency models, email us at pipeline.program@state.mn.us by Nov. 28, 2025. Based on input received, we will review suggested edits, potentially make updates to the models and post final versions by mid-December. Thank you in advance!
Industries
The program targets high-growth industries with limited history with Minnesota's apprenticeship system:
Dual training basics
Dual training is an earn-while-you-learn approach where the employer invests in their employee by providing training in competency standards to equip the employee with the specific knowledge and skills necessary for a particular occupation. For a trainee to qualify for a dual-training program, they must:
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be employed by the participating employer and,
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receive structured on-the-job training and technical instruction in accordance with the competency standards for a specific occupation (use the above industry links to find the eligible occupations with competency standards).
Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline objectives
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Engage employers, higher education, labor, representatives of the disabled community and government to support employment-based training;
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expand earn-and-learn dual-training and registered apprenticeship in Minnesota; and
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bring together leaders from industry to identify, define, create and validate occupational competencies for in-demand careers.
Dual training grants
Dual training grants are available through our partners at the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and provide funding for employers to create new and/or expand existing dual-training initiatives.
Additional information about Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline
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Map of partner employers throughout Minnesota.
Additional employer resources
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Identify the nearest CareerForce location to help find workers.
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Visit Minnesotaworks.net, a state job-bank where businesses can post jobs.
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U.S. Department of Labor resources for career exploration, training and jobs
Questions?
Contact us at Pipeline.Program@state.mn.us.
