Campus News

Minnesota West Awarded Partnership Grant

3/13/14

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities recently awarded $3.3 million Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Grants, with contributions from business partners that bring the total impact to $12.2 million.

Thirteen Minnesota state colleges have been selected to receive 18 grants totaling $3.3 million from the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP). Businesses working as partners with these colleges will match these grants with an additional $8.9 million bringing the total impact of the awards to $12.2 million. The colleges will use these funds to develop and deliver customized training programs that meet the specific needs of each business partner. The training programs developed with grant funding will be utilized by MnSCU campuses and business partners throughout the state.

Minnesota West Community & Technical College was selected to receive a MJSP grant of $236,903, partnering with Avicenna Technology, Inc.

“Each year, our colleges and universities train over 130,000 workers through partnerships with Minnesota businesses and employers,” said Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Chancellor Steven Rosenstone.

“These grants and the generous matching funds from our business partners will help ensure Minnesota workers stay at the leading edge of their fields. Customized training for employees is a critical element in keeping Minnesota industries globally competitive.”

The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP), a program of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, works with businesses and educational institutions to train or retrain workers, expand work opportunities, and keep high-quality jobs in the state. MJSP training grants are used to offset training-related expenses associated with meeting Minnesota’s current and future workforce needs.