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DEED Awards 16 Grants to Train Lower-Income and Current Minnesota Workers(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ST. PAUL, Minn., Aug. 19 -- The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development issued the following news release: The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded grants totaling $1,904,435 under the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) to train 1,199 lower-income individuals and 505 current workers. Twelve Low Income Worker Training Program grants will cover the c ost of training for 'training-ready' individuals with incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty line, and four MJSP grants will train 505 current employees of Smiths Medical, Engineered Products Company, Precision, Inc., and Plunkett's Pest Control, Inc. The MJSP works strategically with businesses and educational institutions to train or retrain workers, expand work opportunities and keep high-quality jobs in the state. With support from Governor Mark Dayton and the Minnesota legislature, the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Program has awarded $25.4 million since 2011 to train 32,239 workers and has leveraged $56.8 million in private funding. "The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Program responded to business workforce needs by training more than 260,000 Minnesotans," said DEED Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben. "These training initiatives will help individuals acquire the necessary skills to pursue new career opportunities and ultimately achieve economic self-sufficiency." The Low Income Worker Training grants include: YWCA/Interstate Truck Driving School, YWCA of St. Paul - $138,710 Since 2011, the YWCA has been working with Interstate Truck Driving School to prepare hard to employ people to earn their CDL - Class B which qualifies graduates for jobs in the transportation and construction industries. After eligibility verification and assessment, candidates are selected to participate in the Class B CDL Permit Preparation Program. This YWCA-delivered, 40-hour course prepares trainees to pass the State-administered Class B CDL Permit Exam, a prerequisite for enrollment at the Interstate Truck Driving School. During this time, one-on-one instructor guidance is available and personal barriers are addressed. After passing the Permit Exam, trainees continue with the Interstate Truck Driving School-Professional Dock Truck Program. Graduates receive individualized job search, placement and follow-up services along with ongoing intervention, advocacy and support. Contact: William Collins, Jr., YWCA, 651-222-3741 Century College, Hmong American Mutual Assistance Association - $198,000 To help to address the metro-area shortage of manufacturing production workers and technicians, the Hmong American Mutual Assistance Association (HAMAA) will partner with Century College to offer 60 low-income individuals Foundational Manufacturing Skills training (80 hours), Hand-Soldering Skills training (80 hours) and IPC Certification (80 hours). Classes will be conducted at HAMAA and will include the option to take the exam for the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) Certified Production Technician. HAMAA has relationships with several employers to assist in placing project graduates. Contact: Long Yang, Hmong American Mutual Assistance Association, 612-374-2694, ext. 227 Century College, Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota - $66,000 The Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota (LACM) and Century College will train and prepare 40 low-income individuals for manufacturing industry employment. Training areas will include Medical Device Assembly Skills, Quality Inspector training and Cleanroom Operator training. Linkage organizations will assist with employment and training services such as job search, ESL, GED and National Career Readiness Certification. The LACM also works closely with more than 10 staffing agencies and Century College's Customized Training representatives who provide access to manufacturers seeking employees. Contact: Sunny Chanthanouvong, Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota, 612-374-4967 Northwest Technical College, Greater Bemidji-Minnesota Innovation Institute - $199,900 Northwest Technical College will provide CNC Machine Operator and Mechatronic System Assistant training for 50 low-income individuals. Priority recruitment will be given to Native American and other minority groups, older workers, long-term unemployed and Veterans. The 160-hour CNC course will prepare trainees for National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) certification. Mechatronics Systems Assistant training provides entry-level skills into the technical careers of machine maintenance and machine repair. The 64-hour course includes Mechanical FAB and AC/DC Electrical Systems and awards six semester credits. At the midpoint of training, a reverse job fair is held where companies meet with individuals to sell their company, wages and benefits with the goal to place as many students as possible before training is completed. Contact: Dave Hengel, Greater Bemidji, 218-444-5757 Lake Superior College, SOAR Career Solutions - $120,428 Lake Superior College will use existing curriculum to develop and deliver a 100-hour non-credit Basic Carpentry Training program to prepare 48 participants for entry level positions in the construction industry. In addition, Lake Superior College will deliver their 9-credit Over-the-Road Truck Driver Training program consisting of tractor-trailer basic and advanced operation techniques, safety, log books and weight distribution to prepare students to obtain a Class A Commercial Driver's License. Comprehensive screening, pre- and post-employment training, support and case management services will be provided (via other funding sources) to help participants successfully complete training and become employed. Contact: Emily Edison, SOAR, 218-625-2412 Northwest Technical College/Bemidji State University, Northwest Indian OIC - $104,991 Working with Northwest Technical College and Optivation, the Northwest Indian OIC (NWIOIC) will provide training to 48 low-income individuals leading to Nursing Assistant Certification. NWIOIC American Indian instructors will provide training in Anishinaabe World View, First Aid and CPR, Customer Service, Intermediate Computer Skills, and Communications in the Workplace. Northwest Technical College will provide the Home Health Aide and Certified Nursing Assistant training which combines 120 classroom hours of lecture, lab and medical examination preparation. Coursework will be delivered onsite in the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and the Red Lake Nation, as well as in Bemidji. Students will receive support services, work readiness and soft skills training, and job placement assistance through other funding sources. Contact: Tuleah Palmer, NWIOIC, 218-759-2022 Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota - $82,335 For more than 90 years, Goodwill/Easter Seals of Minnesota (G-ESM) has assisted individuals with barriers to education, employment and independence in achieving their goals. Funding will support training for 35 low-income individuals in one of two training programs: Automotive Services Technician (metro) and Financial Services (St. Cloud). The training programs combine classroom instruction, on-the-job training, industry guest speakers, tours, and employment readiness training. Contact: Sheila Olson, Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota, 651-379-5864 International Institute of Minnesota - $200,000 The grant will cover instruction and Nursing Assistant certification costs for 60 Nursing Assistant Training students. In addition, the grant will cover partial tuition of 30 students who will participate in the Medical Career Advancement program to achieve career upgrades through RN and LPN training. Contact: Jane Graupman, International Institute of Minnesota, 651-647-0191, ext. 312 Takoda Institute of Higher Education, America Indian OIC - $199,700 The American Indian OIC (AIOIC) will offer training to 100 low-income individuals via five training programs: Java, Data Analysis and Reporting with SQL, Powershell, Health Information Technology and Nursing Assistant. Trainees are partnered with a career services representative and an academic advisor who provide ongoing support and monitoring. Upon graduation, students receive job search/placement assistance and personal and professional support. Contact: Joe Hobot, American Indian OIC, 612-341-3358, ext. 149 Creating IT Futures Foundation, Jewish Family and Children's Service of Minneapolis - $197,340 JFCS will partner with the Creating IT Futures Foundation to start 60 low-income individuals on a pathway to Information Technology careers through the IT-Ready Apprentice Program, eight weeks of technical and business skills training. Successful students will earn CompTIA A+ certification followed by a six-month paid apprenticeship by a Twin Cities area employer. Participants are also expected to complete at least a second IT certification in Network Administration through mentored and peer-supported on-line coursework to ensure increased employability and advancement in the field. Contact: Margie Earhart, Jewish Family & Children's Service of Mpls., 952-542-4815 MN Resource Center, RESOURCE, Employment Action Center - $99,875 Employment Action Center (EAC), one of four divisions of RESOURCE, Inc., is one of the largest providers of employment and training services for low-income individuals in the Twin Cities. MN Resource Center (MRC), another division of RESOURCE, provides career training programs specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals with barriers to employment, particularly those with low education or skill levels. RESOURCE will provide 37 participants with the technical skills needed to enter employment within two diverse career areas, office support and manufacturing. After successful completion of training, participants will receive ongoing support, and job search and placement assistance. Contact: Carrie Scheffler, RESOURCE, 612-752-8833 North American Medical Academy, Minnesota African Women's Association - $98,175 The Minnesota African Women's Association will serve 75 Pan-African women with training to be certified as a Nursing Assistant and/or Home Health Aide and to plan for and advance along a career ladder. North American Medical Academy will deliver the 120-hour training, which includes two days of practical experience in a hospital setting and a two- to four-day clinical internship in a nursing home. Trainees will complete First Aid and CPR courses; 30 trainees will complete the Trained Medication Aide; and five will complete Mental Health First Aid. Upon completion of the training, MAWA employment staff will assist clients with job placement. Contact: Melissa Nambangi, Minnesota African Women's Association, 763-561-2224 In addition, Century College was awarded $198,981 to train 505 current employees of Smiths Medical, Engineered Products Company, Precision, Inc., and Plunkett's Pest Control, Inc. Century College, Smiths Medical - $49, 854 Smiths Medical (SM) manufactures a wide range of infusion-therapy products, including ambulatory infusion pumps, implantable access systems, dialysis and infusion catheters, pain-management trays and needles. SM is relocating its Massachusetts fluid-warming and temperature management systems operations to Oakdale, resulting in 25 new jobs. The training partnership will build the skills of 123 employees and ensure that ISO 9001, RoHS (lead-free) and FDA compliance for product quality are met. SM will also collaborate with engineering faculty and students to explore opportunities for tours, internships and employment. Contact: Jeralyn Jargo, Century College, 651-779-3235 Century College, Engineered Products Company - $49,958 Engineered Products Company (EPCO), located in White Bear Lake, supports the electrical industry by supplying a broad range of standard and unique consumables for commercial, industrial, residential and agriculture buildings. EPCO currently employs 85 individuals and plans to add 17 new jobs. Century College will work with EPCO to develop customized training for 102 employees who will complete Foundational Skills training resulting in MSSC (Manufacturing Skill Standards Council) certification. Contact: Jeralyn Jargo, Century College, 651-779-3235 Century College, Precision, Inc. - $49,776 Precision, Inc., located in White Bear Lake, is a high-tech manufacturing company which designs and manufactures magnetic components used in several markets including medical, telecommunications, consumer electronics and avionics/aerospace/defense. In partnership with Century College, 110 employees will receive training in Design for Manufacturing, Principles of Magnetics for Non-Engineers, World Class Manufacturing, Precision Tools, and Advanced Leadership Skills. CEUs will be awarded for successful completion of the coursework. Contact: Jeralyn Jargo, Century College, 651-779-3235 Century College, Plunkett's Pest Control, Inc. - $49,393 Headquartered in Fridley, Plunkett's Pest Control is a pest control company with a total workforce of 197 employees who serve residential and commercial customers. The training partnership will create a series of learning experiences for 170 employees based upon the textbook, PCT Guidebook to Commercial Pest management. These will include online modules, reading assignments and structured discussions. CEUs will be awarded for successful completion of each module. Contact: Jeralyn Jargo, Century College, 651-779-3235 DEED is the state's principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and our services, visit us at http://mn.gov/deed/. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/mndeed. TNS 18DejucosGrace-140821-30FurigayJane-4834757 30FurigayJane (c) 2014 Targeted News Service |