(The Center Square) – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced nearly $13.6 million in workforce grants to help grow Minnesota’s workforce.
DEED is awarding Pathways to Prosperity grant funding to 43 organizations across the state expected to serve 2,779 Minnesotans who face barriers to employment through three programs: On-Ramp to Career Pathways, Bridge to Career Pathways and Individualized Training Pathways.
Each program provides skills training and support services to help trainees increase employability and preparedness for family-sustaining careers.
“Helping Minnesotans get onto a career pathway benefits workers, businesses and families, which is why DEED is proud to partner with these Pathways to Prosperity grantees,” DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek said in a statement. “By investing in the success of Minnesotans, especially those who face systemic barriers to employment, we’re helping build sustainable economic growth for everyone in our state.”
Hired Executive Director Julie Brekke welcomed the program.
“Hired is honored to be counted among the grantees of DEED’s Pathways to Prosperity program,” Brekke said in a statement. “For the past six years, funding through this program has provided the resources for Hired to help hundreds of the Twin Cities jobseekers upskill and find a job. With support for the next two years, we’ll be able to train an additional 140 people for careers in office administration and medical call centers.”
Pathways to Prosperity grantees include:
Pathways to Prosperity – On Ramp to Career Pathways Grantees:
St. Paul Public Schools – $325,000AccessAbility, Inc., Minneapolis- $300,000CLUES, St. Paul – $300,000East Side Neighborhood Services, Minneapolis – $300,000MN Tech for Success, Minneapolis – $300,000
Pathways to Prosperity – Bridges to Career Pathways Grantees:
Hired (Office Admin Pathway), Minneapolis – $400,000Hired (Medical Call Center Pathway), Minneapolis – $400,000County Of Anoka – $400,000Goodwill Industries, Inc., St. Paul – $330,000City of Duluth Workforce Development – $325,000
Pathways to Prosperity – Individual Training Pathways Grantees:
CAPI USA, Minneapolis – $300,000City of Duluth Workforce Development – $300,000Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park – $300,000International Institute of Minnesota, St. Paul – $250,000Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis, Golden Valley – $250,000