MN DEED: Governor Walz announces millions in workforce training grants

Content from Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development. Click here to read the full press release.

[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced the recipients of $8.8 million in grants to grow Minnesota's workforce through the Drive for 5 Workforce initiative. Drive for 5 is the state's program for preparing Minnesotans for high-demand jobs in five occupational categories: the caring professions, education, manufacturing, technology, and the trades.

The Drive for 5 awards announced today are comprised of two programs:

• Industry sector training funding for partners that provide workforce development services, work-based learning opportunities, and job placement and retention services. These programs prioritize transitioning participants from credentialed training to paid work-based learning opportunities, with the ultimate goal of securing employment or achieving career advancement within a related company or industry.
• Job placement services funding for partners that help ensure Drive for 5 industry sector training program graduates are connected with employers that are currently hiring or anticipate near future employment opportunities in the program's five targeted sectors.

Drive for 5 grantees include:

• Avivo, $400,000
• Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, Inc. (CMJTS), $600,000
• City of Duluth Workforce Development, $300,000
• City of Minneapolis, $450,000
• Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, $325,000
• EMERGE Community Development, $500,000
• Faribault Public Schools, $300,000
• Greater Mankato Growth, $65,000
• Hennepin Technical College, $175,000
• Hired, $400,000
• Latino Chamber of Commerce, $325,000
• Midwest Manufacturers Association, $400,000
• Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association, $450,000
• Minnesota Training Partnership, $600,000
• National Able Network, $325,000
• Regents of the University of Minnesota, $300,000
• Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc., $375,000
• Shakopee Chamber of Commerce, $500,000
• Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, Inc., $425,000
• St. Paul Chamber of Commerce, $635,000
• St. Paul Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Center, $90,000
• Stearns-Benton Employment & Training Council; DBA Career Solutions, $325,000
• Twin Cities Rise, $85,000
• Willmar Public Schools, $425,000